South African Academy of Family Physicians (SAAFP)

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Published: 30 August 2024

District health service delivery and the contribution of family physicians

Significance:
Most health care in South Africa takes place in the district health system. In the public sector, this includes primary health care and district hospitals. Although there have been improvements in health and health care, there are still inequities, many instances of poor quality, and weakness regarding community engagement and multisectoral action. Service delivery is currently challenged by budget cuts and loss of resources. Ongoing reforms are needed to improve performance and accommodate the introduction of national health insurance. The deployment of family physicians is an overlooked reform that can improve the model of care, quality, and resilience.

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South African Family Practice Articles

An approach to persons who are not willing to engage in behavioural change August 29, 2024
With its unique position, primary health care (PHC) can provide health promotion and prevention services, including lifestyle behavioural counselling. Unhealthy lifestyle behaviours are very prevalent among patients attending PHC, with many patients unwilling to change or in the precontemplation stage. While patients in the contemplation stage are better managed using the 5As approach of motivational […]
Olufemi B. Omole
Impact of burnout on depression among nurses at a private hospital in Johannesburg, South Africa August 28, 2024
Background: Burnout is a syndrome that is understood as emanating from chronic workplace stressors that have not been managed successfully. Little is known about the causes of burnout among nurses in South Africa. The study aimed to determine the prevalence of burnout and its impact on depression and assess the relationship between burnout and depression among […]
Ongeziwe Dyasi
What do women with epilepsy know about pregnancy? August 16, 2024
Background: Understanding the intersection of epilepsy and pregnancy, including knowledge gaps and healthcare access for women with epilepsy (WWE), is critical. This study evaluated WWE knowledge gaps and information needs concerning epilepsy’s impact on their sexual and reproductive health during pregnancy and examined healthcare system factors affecting their access to information, aiming to identify areas for […]
Miyalani G. Baloyi
Waist-based anthropometric measures and central adiposity-related comorbidities in children August 14, 2024
Background: Waist-related measures are commonly used to classify central adiposity and related comorbidities. This classification may be essential among children, as it may identify the risk of future non-communicable diseases.Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted in the Eastern Cape province, South Africa, among 459 primary school learners aged 9–14 years. Height, weight and waist circumference (WC) were […]
Howard Gomwe
More than chest pain: A case of oesophageal foreign body ingestion August 14, 2024
Background: Physicians often focus on possible cardiac causes in patients presenting with chest pain. However, this case highlights a patient who presented with chest pain caused by ingestion of a foreign body after an uneventful meal eaten an hour prior to presentation. The fishbone was discovered after imaging. The article aims to raise awareness regarding the […]
Mohammed M.A Agbabiaka

Promote optimal health for the people in Southern Africa through advocacy, support and the development of the primary health care team, and the establishment of an equitable, humane and integrated district health care system.

District health service delivery and the contribution of family physicians

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