Assessment of factors affecting healthcare workers involved in the Centralised Chronic Medicines Dispensing and Distribution (CCMDD) Programme: the case of eThekwini Metropolitan Health district, South Africa.

Abstract

This study aimed to assess the current role of Healthcare workers (HCWs) involved in the Centralised Chronic Medicine Dispensing and Distribution (CCMDD) programme and determine if the challenges experienced by HCWs result in an increased pressure. HCWs play a vital role in the provision of Healthcare services to patients however, little is known about the influence of training, work experience and factors contributing to the innovation in chronic medicine dispensing by HCWS. Methods A descriptive cross sectional study was conducted from October 2017 to December 2017 in seven public Healthcare facilities approved by the eThekwini Health district. A self-administered questionnaire with both closed-ended and open-ended questions was distributed to 245 eligible HCWs. The questionnaire was separated into sections and included amongst others socio-demographic characteristics of participants and sections on the implementation of the CCMDD programme by HCWs. Results The questionnaires were fully completed by two hundred HCWs yielding a response rate of 81.63% (200/245). In terms of training 62.5% (125/200) of all HCWs that participated in the study had undergone training. Many of the HCWs (112/200, 56.0%) were unaware of the CCMDD patient enrolment targets at their facilities. The majority of HCWs (162/200, 81.0%) were aware of SOPs and had sufficient knowledge of the National Health Insurance White paper (139/200, 69.5%). Almost all HCWs in this study (185/200, 92.50%) believed that the CCMDD programme had the potential to meet the objectives for which it was created. This study found a visible decrease in the congestion of patients at the Healthcare facilities (147/200, 73.50%). Conclusion Most of the HCWs in this study recognised the role played by the CCMDD programme in achieving a visible decrease in facility congestion. The majority of respondents agreed to have been trained and received adequate preparation enabling them to embark in the CCMDD programme. Many of the HCWs involved in the CCMDD programme received training before being involved in the running and implementation of the programme. More investigations should be carried out to gather the views and perceptions of patients attending the CCMDD programme. Further studies may look at the readiness of private sector providers and their roles in the implementations of public and private chronic medicines dispensing programmes. Keywords: Centralised chronic medicines dispensing and distribution, national health insurance, Healthcare workers, central dispensing unit, remote automated dispensing units, chronic medicines.