RESEARCH ARTICLE

 

Implementing community-based education in basic nursing education programs in South Africa

 

 

NG Mtshali

PhD. School of Nursing: University of KwaZulu-Natal

Correspondence

 

 

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ABSTRACT

Education of health professionals using principles of community-based education is the recommended national policy in South Africa. A paradigm shift to community-based education is reported in a number of nursing education institutions in South Africa. Reviewed literature however revealed that in some educational institutions planning, implementation and evaluation of Community-based Educational (CBE) programmes tended to be haphazard, uncoordinated and ineffective, resulting in poor student motivation. Therefore the purpose of this study was to analyse the implementation of community-based education in basic nursing education programmes in South Africa. Strauss and Corbin's (1990) grounded theory approach guided the research process. Data were collected by means of observation, interviews and document analysis. The findings revealed that collaborative decision-making involving all stakeholders was crucial especially during the curriculum planning phase. Furthermore, special criteria should be used when selecting community learning sites to ensure that the selected sites are able to facilitate the development of required graduate competencies. Collaborative effort, true partnership between academic institutions and communities, as well as government support and involvement emerged as necessary conditions for the successful implementation of community-based education programmes.

Key words: Community-based education, nursing programmes, service learning, community health nursing programme

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Correspondence:
Professor NG Mtshali
University of KwaZulu Natal
School of Nursing
Private Bag XI0
Durban 4010
South Africa
Tel: 27 312602499; Fax: 27 31260 1543
Email: mtshalin3@ukzn.ac.za