Browsing by Author "Reid, Steve"

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    Can a new paediatric sub-specialty improve child health in South Africa?
    (Health & Medical Publishing Group, 2012) Swingler, George; Hendricks, Michael; Hall, David; Hall, Susan; Sanders, David; McKerrow, Neil; Saloojee, Haroon; Reid, Steve
    Compared with other middle-income countries, child health in South Africa is in a poor state, and should be addressed by focusing on the healthcare needs of all children across a system or region. Paediatricians have had little effect on this situation, partly because their training is not aligned with South African needs. The proposed re-engineering of primary healthcare will be limited by the skewed distribution of staff and the lack of suitable skills. A 'community' placement during specialist training, and the creation of a sub-specialty in Community Paediatrics and Child Health, could address the skills shortage and possibly attract health personnel to under-served areas through creating an appropriate career path. This proposal would also support the Department of Health's encouraging plans to re-engineer primary healthcare.