ArticleSouth African family practice : official journal of the South African Academy of Family Practice/Primary Care2022
Retention of medical officers in the district health services of the Western Cape, South Africa: An exploratory descriptive qualitative study.
Article in South African family practice : official journal of the South African Academy of Family Practice/Primary Care, 2022. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Cited by 6 papers.
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Who cites it
6 citing papers in PubMed.
- Influences of Western Cape community service doctors' choice regarding public, rural practice.South African family practice : official journal of the South African Academy of Family Practice/Primary Care · 2025Observational
- Provider perspectives on adolescent access to contraception in South Africa.African journal of primary health care & family medicine · 2024Article
- The career pathways of new family physicians in South Africa from 2008 to 2022.South African family practice : official journal of the South African Academy of Family Practice/Primary Care · 2024Article
- Drivers of retention of the HIV workforce transitioned from PEPFAR support to the Uganda government payroll.Human resources for health · 2023Article
- Retention of medical officers in district health services, South Africa: a descriptive survey.BJGP open · 2022Article
- The contribution of family physicians to district health services in South Africa: A national position paper by the South African Academy of Family Physicians.South African family practice : official journal of the South African Academy of Family Practice/Primary Care · 2022Article
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12 authors.
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Abstract
backgroundAn adequate health workforce is an essential building block of effective health systems. In South Africa, medical officers (MOs) are a key component of service delivery in district health services. The Stellenbosch University Family Physician Research Network in the Western Cape identified that retention of MOs was a key issue. The aim of this study was to explore the factors that influence the retention of MOs in public sector district health services in the Western Cape, South Africa.
methodsThis is a descriptive exploratory qualitative study. Medical officers were purposefully selected in terms of districts, facility types, gender, seniority and perceived likelihood of leaving in the next four years. Semi-structured interviews were performed by family physicians, and the qualitative data were analysed using the framework method.
resultsFourteen MOs were interviewed, and four major themes were identified: career intentions; experience of clinical work; experience of the organisation; and personal, family and community issues. Key issues that influenced retention were: ensure that the foundational elements are in place (e.g. adequate salary and good infrastructure), nurture cohesive team dynamics and relationships, have a family physician, continue the shift towards more collaborative and appreciative management styles, create stronger career pathways and opportunities for professional development in the district health services, be open to flexible working hours and overtime, and ensure workload is manageable.
conclusionA number of important factors influencing retention were identified. Leaders and managers of the healthcare services could intervene across these multiple factors to enhance the conditions needed to retain MOs.
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