Health workforce planning in Namibia: assessing a pilot workforce survey of pharmacists

Patient experiences in managing non-communicable diseases in Namibia

INTRODUCTION

The prevalence of non-communicable diseases (NCDs) is rising in Namibia, and with it, the need for pharmacists to empower patients. This research aims to 1) identify patient-reported barriers and facilitators to managing chronic NCDs for Namibians, and 2) characterize common patient-reported medication and health-related needs of Namibians with chronic NCDs.

METHODS

This qualitative study used semi-structured interviews to elicit participant perspectives regarding NCDs. The study used the conceptual frameworks of the Health Belief Model, the Theory of Planned Behavior, and the Explanatory Models of Illness to identify and understand key factors necessary to develop relevant patient-centered interventions. Participants were recruited from pharmacies throughout Namibia. Data were analyzed using thematic analysis from the transcribed interviews.

RESULTS

A total of 23 interviews were conducted, with 20 being included in the final analysis. Themes identified included: 1) participants were motivated to seek care when they were symptomatic; 2) participants felt motivated to care for their condition to improve their own lives and their families for their family's sake; 3) participants integrated information from a variety of sources into their disease knowledge; 4) participants describe wanting to be more engaged in managing their health and wanting support to help manage their condition; 5) participants describe awareness of lifestyle changes necessary to improve health, but face many barriers to achieving them.

CONCLUSION

This study identified key factors that are essential for pharmacists and other health care professionals to be aware of in order to support patients who are diagnosed with an NCD. Health care providers should consider strategies to engage patients to harness their motivations, enhance health education, and create systems to reduce barriers to addressing lifestyle.

Competency (and Beyond): Think Patient. Collaborate. Develop. Evaluate. Improve. Repeat

The global workforce needs to be competent, flexible, adaptable, sustainable, and patient-focused. A competency approach towards education, development, and professional practice strengthens services and increases better health outcomes. This paper will provide a global perspective on competency approaches from different health care professions. It will focus on two case reports, describing the use of competency methodologies at an undergraduate and postgraduate level, as well as supporting the internship and/or pre-registration training. Challenges and opportunities will be highlighted by addressing some of the key questions posed for this special edition.