Wits Business School (ETDs)
Permanent URI for this community
Browse
Browsing Wits Business School (ETDs) by SDG "SDG-3: Good health and well-being"
Now showing 1 - 12 of 12
Results Per Page
Sort Options
Item Absenteeism and motivational factors at Chris Hani Baragwanath Hospital Emergency Unit(2021) Ndwandwe, MartinAbsenteeism, which is the practice of not attending a scheduled work duty as expected by an employer, is a serious concern in South African health institutions, which already suffer staff shortages. This study analyses the causes of absenteeism and its consequences for the emergency unit of a public hospital. The research was conducted through a qualitative and quantitative analysis using primary data. Data was collected through interviews and questionnaires with ten participants working at the Chris Hani Baragwanath Hospital Emergency Unit. Data analysis was conducted using codes and themes which were interpreted to deduce meaningful findings. The main findings were that poor working conditions, poor work relationships, poor management and inadequate compensation contribute to absenteeism. Absenteeism has negative repercussions for all stakeholders at a public hospital, especially the public, for whom the absence of staff equates to poor service delivery. Moreover, absenteeism results in the overloading of remaining staff, an increase in pressure on managers, and a poor reputation for the institution as a wholeItem Assessing the impact of mobile technological innovation on maternal healthcare in South Africa(2020) Govind (Matee), MishaBackground: Maternal mortality is a significant public health issue in developing countries due to its shocking magnitude and lower declining pattern. Identifying determinants and designing intervention will have an important role to overcome the problem. Ending preventable maternal mortality remains one of the world’s most critical challenges despite significant progress over the past decade. These deaths are primarily from preventable causes before, during and after the time of giving birth. (Boerma, et al., 2015) Creative use of new mobile and wearable health information and sensing technologies (mHealth) has the potential to reduce the cost of health care and improve well-being in numerous ways. (Kumar, et al., 2013) The rapid growth in access to mobile phones and networks in Africa has created an opportunity for Health programs to impact the health of Africans positively. Health programs have the potential to contribute to innovative solutions to address health system challenges including (1) disparities in access to health services; (2) inadequacies of health infrastructure; (3) limited human resources for health; (4) cost to the individual of accessing health services; and (5) challenges in health financing. (African Strategies for Health (ASH), 2016) Therefore this study aimed to identify the correlates of mobile technology and maternal mortality in developing countries. Method: This research report conducted used national and international databases of health metrics from 2011 to 2019. Using aggregates of health indicator data from Statistics South Africa (STATSSA), the World Health Organisation (WHO), World Bank, United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) and United Nations International Children's Emergency Fund (UNICEF) databases. Momconnect and Mum & Baby data were collected from Vodacom South Africa, the National Department of Health (NDoH) and Praekelt. The dependent variable was the maternal mortality ratio (MMR). In contrast, the independent variable was the numbers of subscribers for Momconnect and Mum & Baby, two national maternal mobile healthcare applications in South Africa. Data was compiled in excel and analysed using correlation tests and regression analysis. Results: The maternal mortality ratio in South Africa is high. A significant relationship between the maternal mortality ratio and the adoption of mobile healthcare applications was observed. There were an inverse and significant correlation between the maternal mortality ratio and the diffusion of mobile technology. Conclusion: The maternal mortality ratio is correlated with mobile technology.Item E-learning as an innovative platform for medical doctors in South Africa(2021) Pillay, TerenceE-learning could be an innovative continued medical education platform for medical doctors in South Africa, especially now with the COVID-19 pandemic and its effects on physical contact between pharmaceutical companies’ representatives and doctors. This study aimed to determine and develop a more effective way to reach and provide accurate, credible education for all doctors using an e-learning platform as an alternative to representative visits. This research involved a quantitative study, deploying a survey to a sample of 456 doctors in South Africa via an online platform. The results arising from the analyses to prove the three hypotheses were statistically significant, and all were accepted. In summary doctors in South Africa valued their relationships with medical representatives, but simultaneously questioned the credibility of the education received from the representatives. Many doctors accessed the internet for their own education as one of their channels of education. In view of the research findings, an innovative e-learning platform is proposed to deliver continued medical education to all doctors and to allow for best practices sharing across the medical fraternity in South AfricaItem Emerging technologies and technological catch-up in the pharmaceuticals sector in South Africa(University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, 2023) Singh, Vyasha; Hilli, ThembelaThis study investigates the establishment and evolution of innovation capabilities in synthetic biology, an emerging technology used as a mechanism for technological catch-up in latecomer countries, for application in the South African pharmaceuticals sector which aims to make innovative health treatments more accessible to patients, especially those in developing countries. There is a crucial need for developing countries to obtain endogenous technological and innovation capabilities as these are vital for achieving progress with regards to a countries desire to catch-up to leading nations. The qualitative research design used a longitudinal case study approach to determine how the development of capabilities in synthetic biology has evolved in South Africa since its inception at a dedicated research centre established in 2007 by The South African Council for Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR). Two innovation capability frameworks were applied to assess these capabilities to determine the current level of innovation capability in relation to its technology development, operations, management, and transactions capabilities which ultimately inform its innovation performance. The study utilized data from interviews with individuals directly involved with the centre’s research and management activities; a categorical questionnaire seeking data on technology development activities; as well as data extracted from organizational operational reports and strategic plans. The key findings showed that South Africa has a shortage of skilled human capital in synthetic biology coupled with insufficient financial resources to enable the area to realise its full potential. Therefore the innovation capability ranking of the centre has stagnated at an incremental/ intermediate level. The resulting effect is that, despite the national goals it has set out to achieve, the area has yet to create real impact for the pharmaceutical sector. The recommendations provided at the end of the study will advise the centre on possible pathways it could take to improve its overall innovation capability. At this present level, technological catch-up by means of leapfrogging, remains out of reach, and will hinder the countries progress in closing the gap between itself and leading countries in terms of the rates of technical change with respect to synthetic biologyItem Exploring the nexus between digital maturity, entrepreneurial orientation, and SMEs’ organization resilience in Johannesburg in the post-lockdown era(University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, 2023-02) Mitha, IrshadThe research study investigates the nexus between digital maturity, entrepreneurial orientation, and SMEs’ organization resilience in Johannesburg in the post-lockdown era. The research aims to understand the relationship between SMEs’ digital maturity and organization resilience and to analyse the mediating role of entrepreneurial orientation on the relationship between SME retaillers’ digital maturity and SMEs retaillers’ organization resilienceItem Impact of COVID-19 on digital transformation(2021) Mabuza, JabulileThe COVID-19 pandemic has been commonly referred to as a ‘black swan event’; it has changed the world as we knew it, from how we live, learn, work and socialise. It is believed that the pandemic has fast-tracked the adoption of technology in many organisations to ensure business continuity and business sustainability; broadly said, the pandemic has fast-tracked digital transformation (DT) in different organisations. This paper aims to study the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on DT in organisations in South Africa by focusing on the changes in IT capabilities in the DT framework. The research design is qualitative; the data collection was through semi-structured interviews with information communication technology (ICT) leaders representing different organisations in South Africa. The data was analysed using the thematic-analysis process to formulate initial codes, initial themes and final themes emerging from the study. The results from the study show that, in terms of ICT in the organisation, the pandemic had a direct and positive impact on ICT strategy and ICT operations. In terms of IT capability transformation, the pandemic resulted in the optimisation and expansion of existing IT capabilities in the organisation and the building of new IT capabilities to meet emerging business needs. In terms of the focus of activities during the pandemic, there seems to be a split in organisations between the primary focus being on ‘digital IT’ or ‘traditional IT’. Overall, the findings of the study show that the pandemic had a positive and significant impact on DT in organisations. However, a definitive conclusion on this would require expanding the scope of the research to all the components of a comprehensive DT framework. This study is significant because it is one of the first studies to investigate the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on organisations, on ICT in the organisation, on IT capability transformation and, to a greater extent, DT. The findings from the study show that in response to the pandemic, there is a need for agility in organisations; for organisations to execute on their existing strategy; the future-proofing of IT capabilities; the adoption of a hybrid working model; and for organisations to take risks and embrace new ideas.Item Investigating the reasons for the differences in the accessibility of renal replacement therapy in the public and private healthcare sectors in South Africa(University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, 2022) Asmal, Zubair Mahomed; Ameyibor, LeefordThe number of patients with kidney failure is increasing. This increase is secondary to an increase in the risk factors resulting in kidney disease, and will result in an increase in the number of patients requiring renal replacement therapy (RRT). South Africa has a two-tiered healthcare system, a public and a private sector. At present, there is a significant disparity in the number of patients receiving RRT in the two sectors with more in the private sector. This disparity has been attributed anecdotally to a lack of resources in the public sector and specific legislation, although no research have been done to confirm this. Health disparity in general is complex and involves an interplay between multiple factors, including historical, political, economic, legislative and environmental factors. The hypothesis is that the disparity in RRT is complex, based on multiple factors, and cannot be ascribed to only two factors. To test the hypothesis, we interviewed the stakeholders in the RRT industry regarding their perspectives of the causative factors. In total, 33 interviews were conducted, recorded, transcribed and analysed using the grounded theory from a constructivist angle. The objective of the analysis was to determine which factors contributed to t he number of patients receiving RRT in the public sector, compared with the private sector. As the renal transplantation programme is managed collectively by the two sectors, it was considered separately. Based on the interviews, five themes were extracted to explain the disparity. These themes follow the journey of a kidney failure patient from the factors that contributed to the condition, to being diagnosed and ultimately treated. The themes are the prevalence of kidney disease in the two populations, the decision-making process of who receives RRT, the accessibility of receiving RRT, the resources available for RRT and the impact of the transplantation. Each theme has subthemes and combined they form a holistic explanation to account for the disparity. This study identified possible causative mechanisms to explain the disparity. It is hoped that by uncovering these mechanisms, corrective Page 5 of 15 measures can be implemented, a more equitable and just healthcare service can be offered to all citizens and in the process save a multitude of livesItem Perceptions of health care professionals on the feasibility of NHI in the current South African context(University of the Witswatersrand, Johannesburg, 2023) Shezi, Khulekani; Horvey, Sylvester SenyoThe research aimed to investigate the perceptions of health care professionals on the feasibility of a National Health Insurance (NHI) policy in the current South African context. This is motivated by the country’s government plan to introduce a single health care system that is able to provide quality, affordable, and accessible health care services to all citizens, regardless of their socioeconomic status. Listed as one of the programmes for implementation on the country’s National Development Plan (NDP), the NHI is expected to be rolled out to South African citizens by the end of 2026. The study considered different countries that have introduced universal health coverage by use of the NHI, extrapolating key lessons and considerations that can be applied by South Africa for this context, with a specific focus on the views and perceptions of healthcare professionals on the feasibility of such a programme and the uncovering of any undocumented concerns and fears about the NHI. The study employed a qualitative approach, interviewing sixteen health care professionals through open-ended questions. Participants were all based and placed in Ekurhuleni and employed at the public hospitals in the area. This specific sample was chosen because of the volume of patients they see and the challenges regarding resources they face. Most healthcare professionals believe the NHI is not feasible in South Africa. They expressed concern over the required political prowess for implementation and the lack of trust in current governmental structures to ensure the successful running of such a state-owned entity. The participants also mentioned that the current planning for the NHI excludes the voices of healthcare professionals, who will be some of the major stakeholders on the ground. Therefore further fuelling the scepticism on the positive rollout of such a programme. The key recommendation from the research is that the country’s government must involve all stakeholders to ensure the success of the NHI. Additionally, it is presented that there be mandatory cross-subsidization for the elderly and value-added tax for the unemployed. Lastly, it is presented that the government should focus on improving the public sector and its readiness for such a rollout before emphasizing time framesItem The effect of smartwatches on patient-centered healthcare(University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, 2022) Ndhlovu, Patson; Ndayizigamiye, PatrickPatient-centered healthcare lies at the core of health and social services, where individuals are recognized and encouraged to take an active role in their own care. The literature suggests that technological advancements are contributing to achieving patient-centred care. As technology is advancing, it is important to keep abreast of how emerging technologies are affecting patient-centred healthcare. Thus, the purpose of this study was to investigate the effects of smartwatches on patient-centred healthcare. To achieve this, this study assessed the effect of features of smartwatches on the Picker's 8 principles of patient-centred healthcare. The sample for this study was 141 participants who use smartwatches. These participants were all part of a running club based in Gauteng province of South Africa. The findings revealed that the activity tracking feature of a smartwatch has a moderate impact on emotional comfort and coordination and integration of care. Similarly, the vital signs monitoring feature has a moderate effect on the continuity and transition of care, while the data management feature demonstrated a moderate effect on the coordination and integration of care. Moreover, the activity tracking feature of a smartwatch has the strongest effect on the coordination and integration of care, while vital signs monitoring has the strongest effect on the continuity and transition of care. The data management feature, on the other hand, has the strongest effect on the coordination and integration of care. Findings from this study, albeit their limitations, can assist healthcare providers to make informed decisions on which features of smartwatches they should focus on when promoting the use of wearables to provide patient-centred carItem The effects of psychosocial factors on healthy lifestyle choices: the moderating role of normative beliefs and health consciousness(2020) Mokgethi, KgaisoNoncommunicable diseases (NCDs) negatively impact people's lives worldwide, particularly in developing economies, and South Africa is no exception. Consumers' lifestyle decisions, which necessarily impact their well-being, play a significant role in NCDs. As a result, this study is predominantly driven by the health industry. This research supports the marketing fraternity in understanding the significant variables that influence consumer behaviour in relation to healthy lifestyles. The researcher has observed that health-oriented brands play a minimal role than brands that promote activities such as consuming fast foods, alcohol, and smoking. The purpose of this study was to investigate how key psychosocial factors influence lifestyle choices. The focus is on healthy living choices amongst South Africans. The key factors of this study include identity-based motivations, self-efficacy, consumer attitude, and consumer knowledge. In addition, the susceptibility to normative influence and health consciousness serves as interaction factors and the link between consumers’ healthy lifestyle attitudes and purchase intentions. An online survey questionnaire was conducted, and the data was collected through social media platforms, with a total of 493 respondents. The study tested seven hypotheses using Structural Equation Modelling. The research results confirmed that five out of the seven hypotheses were significant. The study results indicate that self-efficacy, a favourable attitude, and identity-based motivation have a significant relationship with healthy lifestyle choices. Knowledge was found to be insignificant. Previous studies confirm that for knowledge to have a significant relationship, it needs to be paired with appropriate interventions. The study also indicated that normative beliefs positively influenced consumer lifestyle choices and purchase intentions, whereas health iii consciousness as a moderating factor was insignificant. The findings will significantly contribute to the literature and theoretical knowledge on healthy lifestyle choices within an emerging marketItem The impact of human resource practices on employee productivity during the COVID-19 pandemic in the South African construction industry(University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, 2023) Makanza, Patience; Mati, JacobThe study examined the impact of human resource practices on employee productivity in the South African construction industry during the Covid-19 pandemic. Specifically, the study investigated four human resource practices - training, employee wellness, compensation, and employee engagement - to determine their impact on productivity, with the Covid-19 pandemic as the intermediary variable. The study found that training had a positive impact on productivity, indicating that regular training opportunities should be provided to employees to enhance productivity. However, no conclusive evidence was found to support the hypothesis that training improved productivity during the pandemic. The study further revealed that compensation was strongly linked to productivity, but participants were indifferent about the impact of changes in compensation during the pandemic. The empirical evidence showed that although superiors offered support to their subordinates, participants were neutral about the link between employee wellness and productivity. Although it was discovered that employee involvement has a beneficial effect on productivity, participants were unable to affirm if it enhanced their performances during the epidemic as also reiterated by Ramakrishnan and Yogarajah (2021) The results of the study have important repercussions for the South African construction sector, notably during the Covid-19 epidemic as also stated by Amoah and Simpeh, (2021).Construction businesses should follow the study's advice and pay attention to employee wellness, as it has a significant impact on productivity. Furthermore, companies should consider increasing compensation packages to improve productivity, and they should promote employee engagement as it positively impacts productivity. Overall, this study highlights the importance of human resource practices in improving employee productivity during the Covid-19 pandemic in the South African construction industry. The recommendations presented in this study are crucial for construction companies in South Africa as they provide a basis for optimising employee productivity during challenging times. This study contributes to the existing literature on the impact of human resource practices on employee productivity during the Covid-19 pandemic vi and calls for further research in this area to enhance the understanding of the best practices in human resource management during such crises.Item The perceived role of digitisation of electronic health records in South African hospitals(2023) Laullchander, AshleighIn South Africa, patients experience stark differences in the health care provided by private and public hospitals (Ward et al., 2017). Patients in public hospitals often feel neglected and unsafe, while private hospital patients are more satisfied with the patientcenteredness of their received care (Miller, 2019). Primary factors that lead to these significant differences in healthcare experiences are the waiting periods in both hospital settings (Sastry et al., 2015). Lengthy waiting times in public hospitals cause difficulties for patients and healthcare workers alike (Sastry et al., 2015). The long waiting times endured before receiving care are considered the leading cause of skipped appointments, low healthcare worker morale, and poor medication compliance, all leading to poorer healthcare outcomes (Sastry et al., 2015). Differences in waiting times between the private and public domains of health care exist globally. With the introduction and improvement of computerised systems, digitisation of medical records and all clinical data in healthcare systems has become standard practice worldwide (Dash et al., 2019). Additionally, healthcare organisations are sources of big data, which includes records of patient information, results of medical examinations, and medical records information (Catalyst, 2018). Should this data not be managed appropriately, it fails to provide any value to the organisation in question (Dash et al., 2019).