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
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