Professional nurses’ perspectives on the influence of Ideal Clinic status on patient care quality in eThekwini, South Africa

Abstract

Background: As the global community commits to achieving universal health coverage by 2030, countries such as South Africa also acknowledge that delivering optimal healthcare that would universally cover all populations is multifactorial and includes the existence of infrastructure, medical supplies, healthcare providers and quality improvement initiatives. Such initiatives should focus on providing comprehensive, effective, safe and people-centred care that would address the healthcare needs of the population at an affordable cost. The Ideal Clinic initiative is the latest quality improvement strategy the South African government implemented, aiming to improve quality healthcare services at the primary care level. Studies on Ideal Clinic indicate that even though primary healthcare (PHC) performance on standards was achieved, quality clinical services remained a challenge, hence the need for further research.
Aim: This study aimed to explore the professional nurses’ (PNs) perspectives on the influence of ‘Ideal Clinic’ status on quality patient care in PHC facilities.
Setting: The study was conducted in nine PHC clinics that were purposively selected from on district in KwaZulu-Natal.
Methods: An exploratory qualitative research design using semi-structured interviews with eight purposively sampled PNs.
Results: Staff shortages, a lack of specialised training, inadequate physical space, shortage of medicine and essential stationery compromised the quality of care in PHC facilities.
Conclusion: The Ideal Clinic status did not equate to quality of care and healthcare services should be monitored and evaluated based on the streams within facilities where clinical care begins and quality is established.
Contribution: Understanding and acknowledging PNs’ views regarding healthcare service provision and the need to assess quality healthcare in each facility stream.