Models of care for antiretroviral treatment delivery : a faith-based organization's response
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Date
2012-04-14
Authors
Wilke, Marisa
Journal Title
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Publisher
University of the Free State
Abstract
Background: Since 1849, Catholic religious have provided health services in South Africa. They have established hospitals, clinics, and have provided community-based preventive and curative services throughout the country. Today faith-based organizations (FBOs) continue to play an important role in healthcare delivery and are crucial to the goal of providing universal access to antiretroviral therapy (ART). In order to scale up HIV care and treatment, there is a need to describe and analyze ART models of care (MOC) that address the challenges faced by developing countries. The South African Catholic Bishops’ Conference (SACBC) manages twenty ART clinics in medically underserved South African communities, where the need is great, but the resources limited. These SACBC managed ART clinics operate on different MOC. A study to describe, analyze and compare the different MOC can inform future directions in healthcare delivery in resource-constrained settings. Method: A single case-study design was used to describe, analyze and compare four different MOC (managed by the SACBC) for ART delivery, as embedded units of analysis. A mixed method approach was used, incorporating qualitative and quantitative information. Data were collected using structured interviews (n=1,006 adult ART patients), file audits (n=1,006 files of the respondents), semistructured interviews (n=27 healthcare workers) and nominal groups (n=12 groups with Home Based Care-workers). Descriptive and inferential data analyses were conducted by a biostatistician from the Department of Biostatistics at the University of the Free State and the researcher. Findings: In the study, patients accessed care late (CD4=119 cells/mm3). Decentralized care provided better access. Family members are a potential source of support because disclosure rates to relatives and others were high (95.63%). Nurse-driven, doctor supported care was not inferior to doctor-driven care. Task-shifting to registered nurses and HBC-workers can be implemented successfully with support. Differences exist between the South African Government (SAG) -managed model and the FBO–managed models. Partnership between the SAG and FBO strengthened the SAG-managed MOC, while capitalizing on the sustainability of the government services. Functional information systems, developed by the FBO, were implemented at all the MOC in 2009. All the MOC focused on acute care. Conclusions: Nurse-driven decentralized service can most effectively and appropriately address the chronic nature of HIV and strengthen the healthcare system by a paradigm shift to a chronic care model. Based on the findings, a chronic care model was adapted for South Africa that has seven elements: (1) an integrated, decentralized chronic care system based within a primary health setting; (2) partnerships with NGOs; (3) an effective information management system; (4) patients and their families; (5) self-management support to patients; (6) provider decision support and (7) delivery system redesign. Implications for the nursing profession include adaptation of focus and training, as well as the recognition of the nurse practitioners/specialist role in South Africa.
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Keywords
Thesis (Ph.D. (Nursing))--University of the Free State, 2012, AIDS (Disease) -- Nursing, Antiretroviral agents, Community-based social services, Patient profile, Role of nurses, Nurse specialists, Models of care, Faith-based response to health, Human immunodeficiency virus, History of faith-based healthcare, Community-based support, Chronic care model, Catholic healthcare, Access to antiretroviral therapy, Antiretroviral therapy services