Dermatology
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Browsing Dermatology by Author "Maruma, Frans"
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Item Open Access A cross-sectional study of the practice, knowledge and perception of suncreen use among dermatology patients at Universitas Academic Hospital(University of the Free State, 2021-02) Maepa, Jeannett Reabetswe; Maruma, FransBackground: Sunscreens are produced to protect the skin from cutaneous acute and chronic adverse effects of ultraviolet radiation. Their correct use is pivotal in determining their efficacy. Objectives: To assess the practice, knowledge, and perception or understanding with regards to sunscreen use in dermatology patients visiting Universitas dermatology clinic in Bloemfontein, Free State province; by comparing patients with personal skin cancer history and/or risk factors and the group of patients that do not have skin cancer history or risk factors. Methods: Using a questionnaire as a data collection tool, a cross-sectional study was carried out on the days of adult clinic over a period of three weeks. All new and old patients attending the Universitas Academic hospital dermatology clinic, aged 18 years and older, and agreeing to participate, were included in the study. Different parameters were used to measure the practice, knowledge, and perception regarding sunscreen use and its benefits. Results: 131 out of 150 completed questionnaires qualified to be included in the data analysis. Majority of the respondents were female (64. 6%) and >60 years of age (46.9%). Risk factors for developing skin cancer were used to classify the high risk group which had a total number of 74 respondents (56.5%). The high risk group was compared with the lowrisk group when analysing response data for the practice, knowledge, and perception of sunscreen use. The study revealed that 46 respondents (62.2%) from the high risk group wear sunscreen in comparison with 19 respondents (45.2%) in the low risk group. A significant number of respondents from both groups (21% from the high risk group versus 14.1% from the low risk group) do not use sunscreen correctly. Assessment of the knowledge about sunscreen use demonstrated that 46.7% of the high risk group had slightly more knowledge on proper use of sunscreen as compared to 30% of the low risk group. Although both groups had differing opinions on whether sunscreen is a an over-the-counter drug or merely a cosmetic product, they both acknowledged its protective benefits to the skin. Conclusion: Assessment on the practice and knowledge of sunscreen use highlighted the suboptimal and inappropriate use of sunscreen by dermatology patients, as well as inadequate knowledge about correct use of sunscreen in contrast to having a good perception regarding the protective role of sunscreen against skin cancer. There is a dire need for more education or counselling of all dermatology patients on regular and correct use of sunscreen, particularly for the reduction of skin cancer in high risk individuals.Item Open Access Physician career satisfaction across thirty medical specialties: a South African national survey study(University of the Free State, 2019-11) O’Kennedy, Jeremy David; Maruma, FransBackground. Specialty satisfaction likely influences quality of work, physician burnout rates and occupation-specific depression and suicide risk. Satisfaction with relative compensation, work-life balance and perception of met expectations within specialty, all likely influences career satisfaction within specialty as well as overall satisfaction with specialty choice. Specialty-specific physician career satisfaction data are collected and published annually in the United States of America (U.S.) and parts of Europe. These data and survey results are freely available to medical professionals, medical students, companies and the public. They are also widely publicised in journals, magazines and interest articles. No such relatable comparative data exists for practising South African medical specialists. Objective. To determine and compare the specialty-specific career satisfaction amongst practising South African medical specialists across 30 distinct medical specialties, via an electronic (email) questionnaire-based, respondent survey in 2018. Methods. This was an electronic, email-administered, questionnaire-based, respondent survey study conducted via SurveyMonkey. Response data representing practising South African medical specialists across 30 distinct medical specialties (incl. general practice) were obtained and analysed for the period 1 May to 31 July 2018. A specialty-specific global career satisfaction score (GSS) was formulated, calculated and compared with the use of five separate parameters, measuring scale-weighted responses within each individual questionnaire. Results. A total of 1610 practicing medical specialists were invited via email survey invitation. A total of 420 complete and qualifying response data sets were included). The response rate was 26%. A total of 17 specialties met the minimum respondent number of 10 respondents. Respondents represented specialists practicing in all nine Provinces. 60.95% of respondents indicated solo private, 15.71% combined (State/academic and private), 15.24% partnership private and 5.24% State/academic only, as their respective practice settings. 125 (29.76%) respondents were female. The most satisfied practising specialists according to the survey data are Dermatologists (75%), Ophthalmologists (74%), Oncologists (72%) and Radiologists (72%). The most dissatisfied specialists are General Internists (52%), Obstetrician and Gynaecologists (52%), General Practitioners (52%) and Nephrologists (54%). The mean GSS response is 12.34 and the median is 13 (standard deviation =4.01) Conclusion. This survey study demonstrated a significant inter-speciality variability in career satisfaction parameters amongst practising South African specialists. Specialty-specific satisfaction score trends were comparable to similar survey studies done in the U.S. and parts of Europe. The international trend towards job dissatisfaction within certain medical specialties, is concerning and warrants further investigation, possible interventional analysis and the development of turn-around strategies.