AbstractsMedical & Health Science

An analysis of perceptions of health professionals on service delivery challenges at Ngwelezana hospital

by Sinenhlanhla Precious Nkosi




Institution: University of Zululand
Department:
Year: 2014
Keywords: Service delivery  – health professionals
Record ID: 1459718
Full text PDF: http://hdl.handle.net/10530/1329


Abstract

The study focused on the perceptions of health professionals on service delivery challenges at Ngwelezana hospital. The aim of the study was to determine the challenges faced by health professionals in the course of their work and how these challenges impact on service delivery at the hospital. This study reviewed studies on challenges of public healthcare in South Africa and Kwazulu- Natal, the impact of employee satisfaction and reviewed government policies on public healthcare services. Therefore the researcher collected data using questionnaires. The questionnaires were administered to 66 health professionals including both nurses and doctors. The researcher used both qualitative and quantitative methods to analyse data. The study revealed the nature of the challenges that health professionals face during the course of their work and how these challenges prevent them from delivering quality service to those that seek medical attention on a day to day basis. The findings of the study revealed that health professionals were unhappy about their working conditions and they are experiencing heavy workload. The findings further suggested that health professionals feel neglected by management and that there is a constant lack of resources as a necessity during the course of their work. Furthermore, the study suggested that Ngwelezana hospital should review work environment and try to make it as conducive as possible, avoid burnout, absenteeism and unproductiveness of health professionals. The study also suggested that the hospital should reward and motivate employees of their performance in order to satisfy these employees for them to excel in their jobs. In conclusion government should review the Policies, Acts and Plans of public healthcare service delivery and try to make them effective and efficient in practice as they are on paper.