Experiences of inadequate interpersonal relationships regarding quality improvement and quality assurance in the Ministry of Health and Social Services in Namibia
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引用次数: 6
Abstract
ABSTRACT Quality improvement and quality assurance in healthcare settings depend to a great degree on interpersonal relationships that enable effective communication and understanding between individuals. Poor interpersonal relationships between health professionals, patients or groups are considered detrimental to the achievement and sharing of common goals. This paper explored the experiences of managers and health professionals regarding the quality of health care delivery at the Ministry of Health and Social Services (MoHSS) in Namibia, using interviews and focus group discussions. The findings indicated negative attitudes by health professionals towards patients; poor communication among health professionals; lack of motivation and team work as well as resistance to change. It was concluded that most of the problems at MoHSS health care facilities are due to the lack of strong interpersonal relationships, either between patients and health professionals or between health professionals and management. The researchers recommend future research to document the views and experiences of private health providers and patients.
期刊介绍:
Development Studies Research ( DSR) is a Routledge journal dedicated to furthering debates in development studies. The journal provides a valuable platform for academics and practitioners to present their research on development issues to as broad an audience as possible. All DSR papers are published Open Access. This ensures that anyone, anywhere can engage with the valuable work being carried out by the myriad of academics and practitioners engaged in development research. The readership of DSR demonstrates that our goal of reaching as broad an audience as possible is being achieved. Papers are accessed by over 140 countries, some reaching over 9,000 downloads. The importance of the journal to impact is thus critical and the significance of OA to development researchers, exponential. Since its 2014 launch, the journal has examined numerous development issues from across the globe, including indigenous struggles, aid effectiveness, small-scale farming for poverty reduction, sustainable entrepreneurship, agricultural development, climate risk and the ‘resource curse’. Every paper published in DSR is an emblem of scientific rigour, having been reviewed first by members of an esteemed Editorial Board, and then by expert academics in a rigorous review process. Every paper, from the one examining a post-Millennium Development Goals environment by one of its architects (see Vandermortele 2014), to ones using established academic theory to understand development-imposed change (see Heeks and Stanforth 2015), and the more policy-oriented papers that contribute valuable recommendations to policy-makers and practitioners (see DSR Editor’s Choice: Policy), reaches a multidisciplinary audience.