African Journals OnLine   
South African Family Practice

Volume 26 Number 1, 2003 
Abstracts

Qualitative research across boundaries of language: the representation of lived experiences.  
Calvert, G

Abstract

Background: Qualitative methodology has a growing importance in primary care research, reflected in projects submitted for the degree of MFamMed at The Medical University of Southern Africa (Medunsa). These projects were completed in multilingual settings and sought highly subjective information. This paper aimed to demonstrate how researchers handled issues of language within their work.

Methods: All dissertations successfully submitted for the degree of MFamMed at Medunsa between 1993 and 2000 were examined. Those using a predominantly qualitative methodology were subject to content analysis.

Results: Researchers acknowledged issues of language and developed a range of strategies to ensure the faithful representation of their subjects' beliefs and attitudes in the language of the final dissertation.

Conclusions: Working across boundaries of language presents a potential threat to the faithful representation of qualitative data. Examination of these examples of qualitative research point to some ways in which loss of meaning may be minimised. The paper calls for a close examination of issues of language in research of this nature.

Keywords: Qualitative research; language; multilingual settings.

Chronic obstructive airway diseases: Is the EDL sufficient? A study done at the Heidedal CHC in Bloemfontein. 
Dippenaar, H

Abstract

Background: With the implementation of the Standard Treatment Guidelines (STG's) and Essential Drug List (EDL) in 1996 some of the traditional medication for the treatment of asthma and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) were removed from the medication list, e.g. slow release oral theophylline. The objective of this study was to establish whether we were able to treat patients with chronic obstructive airway disease (which includes asthma and chronic obstructed pulmonary disease) effectively with the guidelines and medication on the Standard Treatment Guidelines and Essential Drug List for Primary Health Care (STG's and EDL), 1996.1

Method: In this follow-up study all patients with chronic obstructive airway diseases (COAD) at Heidedal Community Health Center (CHC) over a 3-month period were evaluated and a lung function test was done on them. Their old medication was stopped and the treatment guidelines of the STG's and EDL were followed. A repeat lung function test was done on all patients after three months on the new treatment. Four indicators were used namely: FVC, FEV1, FEFmax and FEF25-75.

Results: Fifty patients were included in the study. Improvement in all four lung functions were noted after the new guidelines were implemented.

Conclusions: The implementation of the EDL guidelines for asthma and COPD controlled the diseases, the guidelines were easy to use and are comparable to the latest international standards. Standard guidelines also create better patient compliance and give confidence to health workers. The revised STG's and EDL for Primary Health Care (1998) are comparable with the guidelines used in this study. Keywords: Essential drug list, Asthma, COPD