A framework of the situational precursors for electronic medical records adoption in private medical practices in South Africa: the case of private medical practices in Qonce
- Authors: Gungqisa, Asiphe https://orcid.org/0000-0002-5333-3058
- Date: 2022-07
- Subjects: Medical records -- Data processing -- South Africa , Medical technology -- South Africa , Health care reform -- South Africa
- Language: English
- Type: Master's theses , text
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10353/28750 , vital:74909
- Description: The status of the South African healthcare sector appears in perpetual disarray and lacks significant migration to technological adoption. The impetus to migrate to electronic medical records (EMRs) has become a necessity to prepare for the intended delivery of universal healthcare solutions to the South African population via private medical practices. But situational precursors need to be identified and considered when adopting an EMR solution at a private medical practice. This means that healthcare providers must have a thorough understanding and awareness of the various factors that influence the successful adoption of EMRs. There is limited research on the effects of EMR adoption in resourcerestricted regions in developing countries. To this end, the aim of this study was to explore the organisational, technological and environmental factors influencing the adoption of EMRs at private medical practices in a resource-restricted area of South Africa. The area identified for the study was Qonce in the Eastern Cape of South Africa. Methods: The interpretivist perspective guided the study and included the qualitative data gathered from semistructured interviews with carefully chosen medical and administrative personnel. Seven virtual interviews were conducted with nurses and administrative clerks. The thematic analysis method was used to prompt codes and themes within the dataset, and then conclusions were drawn. Findings: The consequence of the findings resulted in the development of an artefact in the form of a proposed framework of situational precursors for EMR adoption in private medical practices derived from the integration of themes and recommendations of this study. The proposed framework may be considered in the decision to adopt EMRs and could be utilised as one of the key drivers in promoting technology adoption in resource-restricted regions. The framework is divided into seven situational precursors, which include patient records management, information sharing, change management, ICT infrastructure support, privacy and security needs, policy and regulatory considerations, and economic implications. Each situational precursor in the framework includes some topical areas of consideration, which can be expanded on dependent on the dynamics of the given private medical practice. Conclusion/implications: Arguably, the benefits of EMRs supersede those of paper-based records systems. Migration to EMRs could therefore be favourable to both the practice and its patients. By taking into consideration the organisational, technological and environmental factors that influence EMR adoption, healthcare providers could reap benefits, such as increased productivity, less waiting times, elimination of paper files, reduced costs, and improved clinical decision-making. Failure to consider these factors could lead to financial losses, threats to the confidentiality of information and lack of acceptance by the community. , Thesis (MCom) -- Faculty of Management and Commerce, 2022
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- Date Issued: 2022-07
The benefits and problems related to the proposed national health insurance in South Africa
- Authors: Mahamba, Thandi Theodore
- Date: 2021-04
- Subjects: National health insurance -- South Africa , Health care reform -- South Africa , Community health services -- South Africa
- Language: English
- Type: Master's theses , text
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/51820 , vital:43375
- Description: Globally, the focus of many governments is on achieving universal health care for the citizens. In ensuring universal health care for South Africans, a National Health Insurance scheme has been established with a special focus on ensuring efficiency and effectiveness in the health sector. South Africa is reforming its health care system by the implementation of the NHI scheme which is seen by the South African government as the key to addressing the shortcomings and disparities in the health care sector in the country. The primary aim of this study was to review the available literature and policies related to the benefits and the problems around the NHI in South Africa. The study sought to determine the benefits associated with the implementation of NHI, to identify the possible challenges that may affect the effective implementation of NHI and to give recommendations based on the study on how the NHI can be implemented in a sustainable way. The Agency theory was adopted as a theoretical framework that guides the study. A qualitative research approach was utilised with the use of the exploratory and descriptive research designs. The data was collected through document analysis and thematic analysis was utilised to analyse the collected data. The findings show that the implementation of NHI in South Africa is beneficial as it will address issues of inequality and scarcity within the health care sector. Notably, there are some underlying shortcomings of the South African health care system which are likely to also affect NHI effective implementation. These include capacity of the government, corruption, mismanagement, wastage of resources, unequal distribution of health care professionals, and lack of knowledge on the part of the health care practitioners. This study concludes that these issues need to be addressed for the effective and efficient implementation of the NHI in South Africa. The study recommends strengthening monitoring and evaluation, accountability, training of more health professionals, conducting a baseline survey and building capacity of the government to implement NHI successfully. , Thesis (MPhil) -- Faculty of Business and Economic Sciences, Development Finance, 2021
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- Date Issued: 2021-04
Implementation of National Health Insurance in South Africa: views of healthcare managers in a private healthcare institution
- Authors: Grewar, David Alan
- Date: 2017
- Subjects: National health insurance -- South Africa , Health care reform -- South Africa , Medical personnel -- South Africa
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MA
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/7503 , vital:21789
- Description: South Africa is in the process of reforming its healthcare system by implementing universal health coverage for its citizens. Universal health coverage is defined as the access of all people to comprehensive health services at an affordable cost with protection against catastrophic health expenditures leading to financial hardship. The system being implemented in South Africa is known as National Health Insurance (NHI) and is seen by the South African government as the key to addressing the shortcomings and disparities in the current public and private healthcare sectors. Healthcare managers have a crucial role to play in health reform yet are often overlooked in debate over health reform. The primary aim of this study was to better understand the views of healthcare managers, working in a private healthcare institution in South Africa, towards the implementation of the NHI. The purpose of this was to make recommendations that would assist the private healthcare institution under investigation to optimise the implementation of the NHI. A quantitative research design was used to explore and describe the views of healthcare managers. Firstly, a literature review was conducted to gain international as well as local perspectives of healthcare practitioners on universal health coverage. Secondly, a census survey in the form of an online questionnaire was developed and distributed to 193 healthcare managers representing different managerial and medical disciplines in a private healthcare institution with facilities nation-wide. A total of 63 questionnaires were returned for analysis. Quantitative data were analysed using Microsoft Excel, Statistica and SPSS Statistics. Qualitative data in the form of written comments by the participants were analysed using interpretive analysis that involved sequential steps of familiarisation and immersion, development of themes, coding, elaboration and interpretation and checking. The qualitative element of the study was limited in nature and was used merely to enrich the quantitative findings. The study found that there was a lack of knowledge amongst private healthcare managers concerning the NHI, poor communication from the government regarding the proposed NHI and high levels of negativity towards the ability of the government to successfully implement the NHI. However it was found that despite concerns regarding the NHI, the private healthcare managers surveyed showed a willingness to actively participate in its implementation. Recommendations regarding policy and practise were made for private healthcare institutions as well as for the South African government in order to assist with the implementation of the NHI.
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- Date Issued: 2017