Strategies to facilitate the provision of quality healthcare services in public healthcare facilities in Limpopo Province South Africa

Abstract

Introduction: Quality healthcare provision is a fundamental need in the life of a person since it helps develop a positive self-image. Healthcare has always been an important issue for society, both economically and culturally. Contrary, dissatisfactions and litigations laid by clients/patients and relatives against the government due to poor service provision become unmanageable. The purpose of the study was the development of strategies to facilitate provision of quality healthcare services in public healthcare facilities in Limpopo province, South Africa. Methods: Qualitative and quantitative methods were adopted for the study. Population for the qualitative study was constituted by professional nurses, and stakeholders (Hospital boards and Clinic health Committees) who were, purposively selected from the randomly sampled hospitals and clinics. Focus Group discussion and questionnaires were conducted to collect data. Analysis. The qualitative data was analysed qualitatively. Population for quantitative study consisted of Clients as stakeholders and professional nurses from randomly sampled hospitals and clinics. The qualitative results were used in the development of questions for questionnaire used in the quantitative approach. For the quantitative approach a self-administered questionnaire was used to collect data from the respondents. Data collection was carried out by means of two instruments for clients and professional nurses. Analysis was done using SPSS 25 version with the assistance of a Professional Statistician. The researcher used the Strength, Weaknesses, Opportunities and Threats analysis to develop strategies for enhancing quality healthcare service provision in the Department of health. The interaction between Strengths, Weaknesses, Opportunities and Threats was analysed and used to develop strategies to facilitate provision of quality health care services in public health care facilities in Limpopo Province. Conclusion Findings of this study is expected to inform nursing education and nursing practice to review curricular on what to emphasize when training the nursing students. The findings will also inform senior management when planning for improvement of health care provision improvement.