Browsing by Author "Wegner, Liezel"
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Item Common neuromusculoskeletal injuries amongst rock climbers in the Western Cape(Health & Medical Publishing Group, 2015) Wegner, Liezel; Pagel, Jarryd; Smit, Ashley; Straszacker, Aimee; Swart, Sarah; Taft, St JohnBACKGROUND: Rock climbing is an extreme sport that is fast gaining interest in the Western Cape. Due to the physical nature of the sport, climbers often suffer neuromusculoskeletal (NMS) injuries. Physiotherapists are first-line practitioners who diagnose and treat NMS injuries, but no previous study has been conducted regarding common NMS injuries amongst rock climbers in the Western Cape. OBJECTIVE: To determine the common NMS injuries amongst rock climbers, and the relationships between independent variables and injury. METHOD: A Quantitative, cross-sectional, retrospective descriptive study design utilised a self developed survey based on the literature. This was completed by rock climbers from an indoor climbing gym in Cape Town and two outdoor crags in the Western Cape. Out of the total population of 650 climbers, 247 were conveniently sampled to complete the self-administered SURVEY, making the results generalisable to the climbing population. RESULTS: Finger flexor tendon pulley injuries were the most commonly diagnosed NMS injury. Injury to the fingers, hand and elbow regions were the most common self-reported injury by area. The risk of suffering climbing-related injuries was significantly correlated to gender, setting, grade and type of climbing, but not to frequency of climbing. CONCLUSION: The results of this study could assist physiotherapists to assess and manage the common NMS injuries that occur in this group of extreme athletes, as well as to raise awareness amongst rock climbers in the Western Cape about potential risk of injury.Item The influence of cultural beliefs on the utilisation of rehabilitation services in a rural South African context: therapists’ perspective(AOSIS, 2015) Wegner, Liezel; Rhoda, AntheaSouth Africa has a population of 51.8 million people of which 7.5% over the age of five has a disability according to the latest census data (Statistics South Africa 2014). This statistic on the national prevalence of disability should be interpreted with caution since psychosocial and neurological disabilities are not accounted for (Statistics South Africa 2014). The most recent data on disability in South Africa is from the national census of 2011, which defined ‘disability’ as: ... a physical or mental handicap which has lasted for six months or more, or is expected to last at least six months, which prevents the person from carrying out daily activities independently, or from participating fully in educational, economic or social activities. (Statistics South Africa 2014). In South Africa 38% of the population resides in rural areas, and 25% of the labour force is unemployed (The World Bank 2014). At the time of the national census in 2011, more than a quarter (26.3%) of all poor people in South Africa resided in KwaZulu-Natal (KZN), most living below the per capita upper-bound poverty line of R620 per month (Statistics South Africa 2014). The co-existence of poverty and disability reinforces one another (Grech 2009; Sala-i-Martin 2005). High levels of poverty together with the high incidence of disability and the large percentage of the population living in rural areas, present challenges to providing ‘health for all’ in South Africa (Department of Health [DOH] 2010; Schaay & Sanders 2008).Item Missing medical records: an obstacle to archival survey-research in a rural community in South Africa(Unisa Press, 2013) Wegner, Liezel; Rhoda, AntheaKeeping good quality medical records is an essential yet often neglected part of a health-care practitioner’s workload. In South Africa, by law all health care facilities are required to retain medical records for a minimum of six years after the cessation of a patient’s treatment. In an archival survey that was attempted in a rural community in South Africa, only 39% of the records that were requested were located. The procedure that was followed in order to obtain the records to be included in the survey is briefly described in this paper, highlighting the challenges experienced in four district hospitals in this community. The phenomenon has serious implications not only for the quality of healthcare, incidence of iatrogenic injuries and the future of the health-care practitioner’s career, but it also impacts on the ability to conduct research to inform practice. An aspect that is not often considered is the impact of poor record keeping on the research and teaching component of the broader medical profession.Item Sports for learners with physical disabilities in ordinary public primary schools in the Western Cape, South Africa(Africa Association for Health, Physical Education, Recreation,Sport and Dance/LAM Publications Limited, 2011) Wegner, Liezel; Struthers, PatriciaIn the Western Cape, learners with physical disabilities are accepted into ordinary schools (a school that is not a special school) as a part of the inclusive education initiative. This article reports on a survey designed to determine the types of sports that are available for learners with physical disabilities in ordinary public primary schools and the factors influencing their participation in sport. The study sample included 31 learners with physical disabilities (learners with movement or mobility difficulties or who used an assistive device) attending seven ordinary public primary schools, one teacher from each school and one teacher from each of eight conveniently selected special schools. Three questionnaires were used, one for the learners, another for the teachers at the ordinary schools and the third for the teachers at the special schools. Analysis was done using SPSS Version 15. The main findings of the study were that 32% (n=10) of learners participated in sports. They were expected to participate in the type of sports that were already offered at the school. No adapted sport was offered specifically for these learners. Most learners wanted to participate in swimming. Fewer types of sports were offered in ordinary schools than in special schools. Barriers to participation included poor teacher preparation and inadequate financial support. The shortage of support from school staff, occupational therapists and physiotherapists in addition to inadequate financial support needs to be addressed by the Department of Basic Education and Department of Sport and Recreation to enable the learners to participate in sports at ordinary schools.Item Student and staff perceptions and experiences of the introduction of Objective Structured Practical Examinations: a pilot study(Health and Medical Publishing Group, 2013) Frantz, Jose M.; Rowe, Michael; Hess, Danelle; Rhoda, Anthea; Sauls, Hess; Wegner, LiezelBackground. The Objective Structured Practical Examination (OSPE) is widely recognised as one of the more objective methods of assessing practical skills in healthcare programmes, including undergraduate physiotherapy curricula. Objectives. To obtain feedback from both students and staff who were involved in the introduction of an OSPE in 2011, in order to refine and standardise the format throughout the curriculum. Methods. A qualitative research design was used. Data were gathered through a questionnaire with semi-structured open-ended items and focus group discussion. Participants were all third-year undergraduate physiotherapy students (N=47) and all staff members (N=10) in the 2011 academic year who were exposed to the OSPE format or were involved in the first OSPE. Results. The main concerns raised by both students and staff were: (i) pressure due to time constraints and how this might affect student performance; and (ii) the question of objectivity during the assessment. However, their initial concerns changed as they experienced the OSPE in a more positive manner owing to the structure and objectivity of the process of implementing the OSPE. Conclusion. While both students and staff reported positive experiences, the challenges that emerged provided valuable insight in terms of refining the OSPE format in this undergraduate physiotherapy department.