A review of Occupational Therapy Services within an Acute Public Tertiary Hospital in KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa

Authors

  • Prashika Ghela Department of Health, Grey's Hospital Pietermaritzburg, KwaZulu Natal http://orcid.org/0000-0003-2823-1735
  • Michael Opeoluwa Ogunlana Federal Medical Centre, Abeokuta, Ogun State, Nigeria College of Health Sciences, University of KwaZulu-Natal http://orcid.org/0000-0001-6877-6938
  • Pragashnie Govender BOccTh (UDW); MOT (UKZN); PhD (Health Sciences) Associate Professor - Dept of Occupational Therapy. Academic Leader: Research - Shool of Health Sciences, University of Kwa Zulu Natal

Abstract

Introduction: The provision of occupational therapy services in providing a minimum essential service in public health institutions in South Africa are currently guided by a quality control measure by the National Department of Health. Aim: To review the services of a public, acute tertiary hospital from 2015-2019 and to compare this with the expectations of a tertiary hospital to identify potential gaps in service delivery.

Method:A single site, retrospective quantitative audit from 2015-2019 was completed at one tertiary hospital. Patient-related and occupational therapy service data were included. 18579 patient entries were curated. The analysis included descriptive and inferential statistics of mean, standard deviations, frequency tables, percentages, and ANOVA.

Results:Findings indicated a consistent decline in the mean values of, the number of therapists attending to patients, number of patients, assistive devices issued, total time of patient units and consultations, total time spent on ward rounds, clinics, and meeting attendance. The number of student therapists attending to patients, splints, pressure garments and issued wheelchairs showed an increase in trend across the reviewed years.

Conclusion: Inadequate human resources and budget systems are potential gaps in occupational therapy service delivery in an acute public tertiary hospital.

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Author Biographies

  • Prashika Ghela, Department of Health, Grey's Hospital Pietermaritzburg, KwaZulu Natal
    Occupational Therapist
  • Michael Opeoluwa Ogunlana, Federal Medical Centre, Abeokuta, Ogun State, Nigeria College of Health Sciences, University of KwaZulu-Natal

    Assistant Director, Physiotherapy (Nigeria)

    Postdoctoral Fellow (UKZN)

  • Pragashnie Govender, BOccTh (UDW); MOT (UKZN); PhD (Health Sciences) Associate Professor - Dept of Occupational Therapy. Academic Leader: Research - Shool of Health Sciences, University of Kwa Zulu Natal

    Associate Professor

    Disicpline of Occupational Therapy

    School of Health Sciences, University of Kwa Zulu Natal

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Published

06-12-2022

How to Cite

A review of Occupational Therapy Services within an Acute Public Tertiary Hospital in KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa. (2022). South African Journal of Occupational Therapy, 52(3), 16-23. https://journals.assaf.org.za/index.php/sajot/article/view/19396
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