Challenges experienced by health care professionals working in resource-poor intensive care settings in the Limpopo province of South Africa
1
Advanced Nursing Science, University of Venda, Thohoyandou, South Africa
Popul. Med. 2026;8(Supplement Supplement 1):A1693
ABSTRACT
BACKGROUND:
Providing optimal care to critically ill patients poses challenges in resource-poor settings because of the lack of equipment, inadequately trained personnel and limited infrastructure.
OBJECTIVES:
This study explored challenges experienced by health care professionals working in resource-poor intensive care units.
METHODS:
A qualitative, explorative, descriptive design was used. The population comprised nurses and doctors working in an intensive care unit of one hospital in the Limpopo province of South Africa. A purposive sample was selected and 17 semi-structured interviews were conducted. Data were analysed using Tesch’s method. Ethical considerations were adhered to.
RESULTS:
Participants experienced challenges related to the provision of suboptimal patient care, the challenge of non-adherence to protocols and/or instructions, and the challenge of practising beyond the scope of practice.
CONCLUSIONS:
A lack of resources led to suboptimal intensive patient care. Patients were prone to infections, and their safety might be compromised.
Providing optimal care to critically ill patients poses challenges in resource-poor settings because of the lack of equipment, inadequately trained personnel and limited infrastructure.
OBJECTIVES:
This study explored challenges experienced by health care professionals working in resource-poor intensive care units.
METHODS:
A qualitative, explorative, descriptive design was used. The population comprised nurses and doctors working in an intensive care unit of one hospital in the Limpopo province of South Africa. A purposive sample was selected and 17 semi-structured interviews were conducted. Data were analysed using Tesch’s method. Ethical considerations were adhered to.
RESULTS:
Participants experienced challenges related to the provision of suboptimal patient care, the challenge of non-adherence to protocols and/or instructions, and the challenge of practising beyond the scope of practice.
CONCLUSIONS:
A lack of resources led to suboptimal intensive patient care. Patients were prone to infections, and their safety might be compromised.
| eISSN: | 2654-1459 |
We process personal data collected when visiting the website. The function of obtaining information about users and their behavior is carried out by voluntarily entered information in forms and saving cookies in end devices. Data, including cookies, are used to provide services, improve the user experience and to analyze the traffic in accordance with the Privacy policy. Data are also collected and processed by Google Analytics tool (more).
You can change cookies settings in your browser. Restricted use of cookies in the browser configuration may affect some functionalities of the website.
You can change cookies settings in your browser. Restricted use of cookies in the browser configuration may affect some functionalities of the website.
