{"title":"Evaluating Eye Care Services in South Africa's Limpopo Province Using Donabedian`s Framework: Insights into Structures, Processes, and Outcomes.","authors":"Hlabje Carel Masemola, Olivia Baloyi, Zamadonda Nokuthula Xulu-Kasaba","doi":"10.2147/OPTO.S509445","DOIUrl":null,"url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Purpose: </strong>Eye care services play an essential role in public health by addressing the needs of millions impacted by visual impairment and blindness annually. This study aimed to assess eye care services in Limpopo Province through Donabedian's framework, focusing on evaluating the availability and sufficiency of eye care infrastructure (structure), service delivery effectiveness (process), and patient outcomes.</p><p><strong>Methods: </strong>Using an exploratory, descriptive qualitative design, data were gathered in June and July 2024, through in-depth individual interviews. Ten (10) district eye health coordinators were selected as participants using purposive sampling. Data were thematically analyzed with NVivo version 12, revealing three main themes: resources and organizational setup, service delivery and healthcare interactions, and results of care provided.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>The findings revealed the first theme as resources and organizational setup with sub-themes such as availability of eye care, services, resource allocation and, infrastructure, human resources and staffing. The second theme was service delivery and healthcare interactions with sub-themes such as service delivery and quality, perception, referral systems and inter-hospital coordination, health promotion and community outreach. The third theme was results of care provided with patient outcomes and satisfaction, technological advancements and patient care, challenges in achieving and public health goals as sub-themes. The findings indicate that challenges related to structure and processes significantly influence patient outcomes.</p><p><strong>Conclusion: </strong>The study further highlights resources, service delivery efficiency, and referral timeliness as key factors essential for achieving optimal patient outcomes and contributing to the broader objective of universal eye health coverage.</p>","PeriodicalId":43701,"journal":{"name":"Clinical Optometry","volume":"17 ","pages":"115-126"},"PeriodicalIF":1.4000,"publicationDate":"2025-03-26","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC11955184/pdf/","citationCount":"0","resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":null,"PeriodicalName":"Clinical Optometry","FirstCategoryId":"1085","ListUrlMain":"https://doi.org/10.2147/OPTO.S509445","RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":null,"ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":null,"EPubDate":"2025/1/1 0:00:00","PubModel":"eCollection","JCR":"Q3","JCRName":"OPHTHALMOLOGY","Score":null,"Total":0}
引用次数: 0
Abstract
Purpose: Eye care services play an essential role in public health by addressing the needs of millions impacted by visual impairment and blindness annually. This study aimed to assess eye care services in Limpopo Province through Donabedian's framework, focusing on evaluating the availability and sufficiency of eye care infrastructure (structure), service delivery effectiveness (process), and patient outcomes.
Methods: Using an exploratory, descriptive qualitative design, data were gathered in June and July 2024, through in-depth individual interviews. Ten (10) district eye health coordinators were selected as participants using purposive sampling. Data were thematically analyzed with NVivo version 12, revealing three main themes: resources and organizational setup, service delivery and healthcare interactions, and results of care provided.
Results: The findings revealed the first theme as resources and organizational setup with sub-themes such as availability of eye care, services, resource allocation and, infrastructure, human resources and staffing. The second theme was service delivery and healthcare interactions with sub-themes such as service delivery and quality, perception, referral systems and inter-hospital coordination, health promotion and community outreach. The third theme was results of care provided with patient outcomes and satisfaction, technological advancements and patient care, challenges in achieving and public health goals as sub-themes. The findings indicate that challenges related to structure and processes significantly influence patient outcomes.
Conclusion: The study further highlights resources, service delivery efficiency, and referral timeliness as key factors essential for achieving optimal patient outcomes and contributing to the broader objective of universal eye health coverage.
期刊介绍：
Clinical Optometry is an international, peer-reviewed, open access journal focusing on clinical optometry. All aspects of patient care are addressed within the journal as well as the practice of optometry including economic and business analyses. Basic and clinical research papers are published that cover all aspects of optics, refraction and its application to the theory and practice of optometry. Specific topics covered in the journal include: Theoretical and applied optics, Delivery of patient care in optometry practice, Refraction and correction of errors, Screening and preventative aspects of eye disease, Extended clinical roles for optometrists including shared care and provision of medications, Teaching and training optometrists, International aspects of optometry, Business practice, Patient adherence, quality of life, satisfaction, Health economic evaluations.
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