Original Research

Medical practitioners’ reactions towards family medicine as a speciality in South Africa

Cyril Naidoo, Tonya M. Esterhuizen, Prem Gathiram
African Journal of Primary Health Care & Family Medicine | Vol 1, No 1 | a11 | DOI: https://doi.org/10.4102/phcfm.v1i1.11 | © 2009 Cyril Naidoo, Tonya M. Esterhuizen, Prem Gathiram | This work is licensed under CC Attribution 4.0
Submitted: 26 November 2008 | Published: 28 April 2009

About the author(s)

Cyril Naidoo, University of Kwa-Zulu Natal, South Africa
Tonya M. Esterhuizen, University of Kwa-Zulu Natal, South Africa
Prem Gathiram, University of Kwa-Zulu Natal, South Africa

Full Text:

PDF (661KB)

Abstract

Background: Family physicians are trained to treat a wide range of diseases, treatment being centred on the patient, family and community irrespective of age, gender, or ethnic or racial background. To deal with inequalities in health care, the South African government introduced the concept of a district health system in 1997. It was only in August 2007, however, that family medicine was legislated as a speciality. This study was undertaken prior to the enactment of this legislation.

Method: A descriptive quantitative study using a self-administered questionnaire was undertaken. A convenience sampling technique was used (N = 60) to assess the reactions of medical practitioners towards the impending legislation.

Results: Overall, 60% of the sample was in favour of the legislation. There were no significant differences between those working in the private and public sectors or between generalists and specialists. With regard to those not in favour of the legislation compared to those in favour of the legislation, a signifi cantly increased number answered the following statements in the affirmative: (i) ‘I already carry out the functions of a family physician’ (p = 0.001), (ii) ‘They [specialist family physicians] will not be as qualified as specialists in other categories’ (p = 0.005), (iii) ‘It will have a negative impact on general practice’ (p < 0.001), (iv) ‘It will increase competitiveness’ (p = 0.021), (v) ‘It will not have any effect on patient care’ (p = 0.010) and (vi) ‘There is no need for such a speciality’ (p = 0.001).

Conclusion: We concluded that the majority were in favour of the legislation being implemented.


Keywords

family medicine; family physicians; medical practitioners; reactions; speciality

Metrics

Total abstract views: 7149
Total article views: 6125


Crossref Citations

No related citations found.