The development of a South African medical practitioner outcome questionnaire

[摘要] ENGLISH SUMMARY : There is much room for improvement within the South African healthcare system. As recognised by many middle-income countries, a key point of leverage is the utilisation of primary care staff. However, key stakeholders have recognised a gap between the skills of healthcare professionals and the needs of the general population. Therefore, efforts such as increasing frontline staff or spending more on hospital resources alone will not lead to improved primary care outcomes. The argument is made in this study that training institutions and primary care units would benefit from an accurate and comprehensive medical practitioner competency model as it would allow training and management efforts to be better suited for the South African context and be clearly aligned with the needs of the general population.The study aimed to develop a theoretical model of medical practitioner performance with emphasis on non-clinical performance. The objectives of this study were twofold. Firstly, the outcomes and competencies of optimal performance of medical practitioners who act as the first point of contact in primary healthcare facilities were defined. Secondly, a South African Medical practitioner outcome questionnaire to measure these outcomes was developed.This study applied a Delphi technique (n=4) as well as content validity rating (n=24) to adequately conceptualise the outcomes, obtain consensus among experts, and develop items for the questionnaire. Various interprofessional subject matter experts participated in the study.The study resulted in a South African medical practitioner outcome questionnaire (SAMPOQ) which consists of a self-rating, patient-rating and other-rating form. It concluded with a proposed medical practitioner competency model. It is recommended that future researchers test the SAMPOQ on a representative sample to statistically evaluate its psychometric properties and evaluate the questionnaire.

[发布机构] Stellenbosch University