Human resource development and training of primary health care practitioners for quality information management: the case of the North West Province Department of Health

Abstract

Poor data quality can have a substantial influence on quality information management. Although departments such as the Department of Health are improving data quality with the development of the District Health Management Information System Policy and standard operating procedures, their improvement efforts tend to focus narrowly on ensuring that data is captured accurately on the Web District Health Information System. The main objective of this study is to determine the human resource development and training needs of primary health care practitioners responsible for quality information management. The study describes the statutory and regulatory framework for health services in South Africa. A literature review of human resource development and training, as well as quality information management, is provided. Definitions of these concepts are presented to provide an important conceptual background. The current challenges in terms of ensuring quality information management, along with the development and training needs of primary health care practitioners for quality information management in the North West Department of Health, are analysed. Data was gathered through semi-structured questionnaires administered to the target population who are primary health care practitioners including medical doctors, dentists and professional nurses. This study captures dimensions of data quality that are important to quality information management including accuracy, consistency, timeliness, completeness, accessibility, objectiveness and relevance. A consistent and holistic continuous training approach, which involves all employees responsible for quality information management, is important when incorporating the organisational functions. The study concludes by making recommendations pertaining to the human resource development and training of primary health care practitioners for quality information management.