African Journals OnLine  
South African Family Practice incorporating Geneeskunde (SAFP/G)

Volume 45 No.4 May 2003
ABSTRACTS

Patients as friends -awkward or advantageous?

Moosa, SAHMBChB (Natal), PHCSM (WITS)

Correspondence:

PO Box 989, Kokstad, 4700, Tel: (039) 727-2434, Fax: (039) 727-1247, Cell: 083 709 5516, [email protected] 

Abstract

Rural General Practitioners often find themselves in a small community having patients as friends. This can lead to difficulty in the relationship. This is a reflection on family friends where I missed the youngest child’s diagnosis of myoclonic epilepsy in the social context and which led to a crisis in the relationship. This led me to reflect on acknowledging my needs, defining the roles and relationships and being explicit and honest with the patient cum friend in the structuring of the dual relationship in various ways. I, as a doctor, have learnt to continuously reflect on objectivity and comfort in the care of the patient cum friend.

SA Fam Pract 2003;45(4):7-9

Keywords: Doctors and Friends; Doctors Social Needs

Reasons for non-compliance to treatment among patients with psychiatric illness: A qualitative study. 

Sharif, SA , MBBS, M Fam Med (Medunsa) West Gippsland Medical Center, Warragul Victoria, Australia

Ogunbanjo, GA , MBBS, MFGP (SA), MFamMed (Medunsa), FACTM, FACRRM, Dept. of Family Medicine & Primary Health Care, Medunsa Pretoria, South Africa

Malete, NH RN, RM, RCH (Psych), Dept. of Family Medicine & Primary Health Care, Medunsa Pretoria, South Africa

Correspondence:

Prof. Gboyega A Ogunbanjo, Dept. of Family Medicine & PHC, PO Box 222, Medunsa 0204, South Africa E-mail: [email protected] 

Abstract

Aim: To understand the reasons for non-compliance to treatment among patients suffering from psychiatric illnesses in Mmametlhake health district, South Africa.

Setting: Mmametlhake health district, Mpumalanga province, South Africa.

Methods: A descriptive, qualitative study was done using a free attitude interview technique. Each respondent’s interview was paired with that of his/ her family member (care giver) and later integrated into a single model to obtain integrated themes.

Results: Side effects of medications were the most common reason for non-compliance to treatment. Other reasons were respondents’ different belief systems, poor insight about their illness, ineffectivity of some medication, dislike for injections, lack of continuity of care and family support, non-involvement of patients in their own management. Social stigma, objection by a particular religious group to treatment and cancellation of disability grant were also linked to some patients’ non-compliance to treatment.

Conclusions: Through better understanding of the reasons mentioned in this study and increased co-operation between primary care clinicians, patients and their caregivers, non-compliance to treatment among patients with psychiatric illnesses can be significantly minimized. Further studies are necessary to confirm these findings and evaluate intervention strategies.

SA Fam Pract 2003;45(4):10-13

Keywords: Psychiatric illness, non-compliance, treatment, rural, qualitative study

Disease patterns in the medical wards of a rural South African hospital.

Ndjeka, NO, MD, DHSM (Wits) Warmbath Hospital, Limpopo Province, South Africa

Ogunbanjo, GA , MBBS, MFGP (SA), MFamMed (Medunsa), FACTM, FACRRM, Dept. of Family Medicine & Primary Health Care, Medunsa Pretoria, South Africa

Correspondence:

Prof. Gboyega A Ogunbanjo, Dept. of Family Medicine & PHC, PO Box 222, Medunsa 0204, South Africa E-mail: [email protected] 

Abstract

A retrospective record review was done to determine disease patterns of patients admitted in the medical wards of St. Rita’s Hospital, in rural Limpopo Province of South Africa. Hypertension dominated the disease pattern followed by pulmonary tuberculosis, gastro-enteritis, pneumonia, diabetes, and asthma.

The findings of this study suggest that diseases prominent in the affluent urban population affect patients seen at this rural hospital. The focus of primary care physicians should be to manage chronic illnesses adequately at the clinic level in order to reduce hospital admissions due to these diseases. Improvement in the tuberculosis control programme, living conditions, provision of safe, clean water and proper sewage disposal will help to reduce the incidences of tuberculosis and diarrhoeal diseases in this rural population. Future studies are necessary to monitor the trend of disease patterns in this rural population.

SA Fam Pract 2003;45(4):14-15

Keywords: Disease patterns, medical wards, rural, hospital, South Africa