Healthcare workers’ and patients’ perceptions of clinical associates at a private sector health facility in Johannesburg, Gauteng Province.
1
1 School of Health Systems and Public Health, University of Pretoria and The University of the Witswaterand, Soweto Johannesbuurg, South Africa
2
2 Division of Clinical Associates, Department of Family Medicine and Primary Care, The University of the Witswaterand, Soweto Johannesbuurg, South Africa
3
1Department of Public Health, Medical school, Nelson Mandela University, Gqeberha, South Africa
4
1Faculty of Health Sciences,, The University of the Witswaterand, Soweto Johannesbuurg, South Africa
Popul. Med. 2026;8(Supplement Supplement 1):A3543
ABSTRACT
INTRODUCTION:
Clinical Associates (Clin-As) are a vital mid-level healthcare cadre in South Africa, traditionally deployed in the public sector. Their emerging integration into the private sector remains under-researched. This study investigated healthcare workers' and patients' perceptions of the Clin-A role in a private hospital setting.
METHODS:
This was a descriptive, exploratory, qualitative study. Ten healthcare workers and ten patients were purposively sampled from three specialised departments at a single private hospital in Johannesburg. Data were collected through semi-structured interviews and analysed using thematic analysis.
RESULTS:
Three major themes emerged. First, "the ambiguous team member" describes a failure of professional integration where operational flexibility paradoxically prevents formal identity formation. Second, Clin-As were seen as "closing the cracks in care," acting as a clinical safety net by providing relational continuity and patient advocacy often overlooked by specialized teams. Third, "the task shifters" revealed that job descriptions shaped by immediate departmental needs positioned Clin-As as a strategic resource.
CONCLUSIONS:
The functional utility of the Clin-A in the private hospital environment is paradoxically enabled by the very lack of formal structural integration. For the Clin-A role to achieve long-term sustainability and maximise its positive impact, institutional and regulatory bodies must move beyond the functional benefits of ambiguity to establish clear professional boundaries and defined career pathways. Contribution: This study provides insights to inform discussions on team-based care models, job description outlines, and the effective deployment of mid-level health professionals across all sectors of the national health system.
Clinical Associates (Clin-As) are a vital mid-level healthcare cadre in South Africa, traditionally deployed in the public sector. Their emerging integration into the private sector remains under-researched. This study investigated healthcare workers' and patients' perceptions of the Clin-A role in a private hospital setting.
METHODS:
This was a descriptive, exploratory, qualitative study. Ten healthcare workers and ten patients were purposively sampled from three specialised departments at a single private hospital in Johannesburg. Data were collected through semi-structured interviews and analysed using thematic analysis.
RESULTS:
Three major themes emerged. First, "the ambiguous team member" describes a failure of professional integration where operational flexibility paradoxically prevents formal identity formation. Second, Clin-As were seen as "closing the cracks in care," acting as a clinical safety net by providing relational continuity and patient advocacy often overlooked by specialized teams. Third, "the task shifters" revealed that job descriptions shaped by immediate departmental needs positioned Clin-As as a strategic resource.
CONCLUSIONS:
The functional utility of the Clin-A in the private hospital environment is paradoxically enabled by the very lack of formal structural integration. For the Clin-A role to achieve long-term sustainability and maximise its positive impact, institutional and regulatory bodies must move beyond the functional benefits of ambiguity to establish clear professional boundaries and defined career pathways. Contribution: This study provides insights to inform discussions on team-based care models, job description outlines, and the effective deployment of mid-level health professionals across all sectors of the national health system.
| eISSN: | 2654-1459 |
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