Abstract
M.Cur.
The objectives of the research were to explore and describe the healthcare needs of
long-term, home-based physically disabled persons and then to develop guidelines for
the training of Ancillary Health Care Workers (AHCWs) to meet these needs. The
guidelines were developed specifically from the patients‟ perspective and were derived
from the two research questions: “What are your healthcare needs?” and “How can
these be met?”.
A contextual, qualitative, exploratory and descriptive research design was utilised. The
population consisted of physically disabled people, aged 18 years or older, living in the
northern suburbs of Johannesburg who employed an AHCW to assist with the longterm,
home-based care. Purposive sampling was used with subsequent snowballing to
identify further participants for the study. Interviews with open-ended questions were
conducted with all the participants during which they could express their views freely.
Tesch‟s method of data analysis was used to identify categories, sub-categories and
themes. The model of Lincoln and Guba (1985:301f) was used to ensure
trustworthiness and ethical considerations were maintained throughout the process.
Informed consent was given by the patients.
Three categories and sub-categories of healthcare needs were identified: physical
healthcare needs, interpersonal relationship needs and social needs. Twelve themes
were derived from these categories, notably
i. Awareness of the unique physical environment needs of the physically disabled
person, including injury prevention
ii. Management of hygiene and elimination
iii. Assistance with nutrition and hydration
iv. Assistance with mobilisation
v. Administration of medication
vi. Required training of the AHCW
iv
vii. Personality traits of the AHCW
viii. Cultural tolerance
ix. Maintenance of privacy and dignity
x. Communication skills
xi. Companionship
xii. Promotion of independence of the patient .
From the themes twelve guidelines were developed for the training of AHCWs in
home-based care looking after physically disabled patients.
The research‟s limitations were described and recommendations relating to practice,
nursing education and further research were made.