ABSTRACT:
Human resources for health, is an important and centric of the pillars for a healthcare system in the World Health Organization building blocks. In 2002, the South African government following a report by the Ministerial Task Team on Human Resources (Tick Report) of 2001 took a decision to create a new cadre of healthcare workers known as Clinical Associates. The Clinical Associates, as known in South Africa were introduced into the South African Healthcare system in 2011 as medical mid-level healthcare workers. The introduction of Clinical Associates was envisioned to help the country counteract medical professionals’ shortages, especially in rural areas where there was rife shortage of doctors as the country is working towards eradicating HIV, improving life expectancy rate, contributing towards National Development Plan outcome 6 and finally achieve the Sustainable Development Goal 3 by the year 2030. This study was qualitative, adopted phenomenology theoretical framework. It is explorative, inductive. Data was collected by semi structured telephone interviews. Thematic analysis employed. The aim of the study was to explore and describe the barriers and challenges of CAs in practicing their profession at level 1 care healthcare facilities in uMkhanyakude District, Kwa-Zulu Natal. The objective of the study was to identify practice barriers and challenges of Clinical Associates. The study found multiple factors which act as a barrier in quality patient care, the barrier voiced out being the limiting scope of practice and challenges with the government human resources system, which has not transformed to accommodate CAs. The barriers inhibit positive patient outcomes and client experience of care. The challenges affect mostly the profession of CAs, which has a direct impact on the emotional wellbeing of CAs.