Experiences of nurses and patients with the implementation of the CCMDD programme.

Background:  The Central Chronic Medicines Dispensing and Distribution (CCMDD) programme has good benefits for both patients with chronic conditions and nurses if it is effectively implemented. In most of the Sekhukhune Primary Health Care (PHC) facilities, the implementation of the CCMDD programme has been highly challenging but at the same time very beneficial.

Aim:  The purpose of this study was to describe the experiences of nurses and patients following the implementation of the CCMDD programme in Sekhukhune clinics.

Setting:  Nine of the Sekhukhune district clinics in Limpopo province, South Africa, were used as study sites.

Methods:  The qualitative research approach with a descriptive and explorative research design was used in this study. Data were acquired through 45 one-on-one semi-structured interviews, with Sekhukhune PHC nurses managing the CCMDD programme and patients with chronic conditions who are enrolled in the programme, and then analysed thematically.

Results:  Positive experiences included overcrowding and workload reduction, saving of time and money for transport, improves medication adherence, reduction in incidents of file loss, reduction in patient waiting times, preservation of clinic drug supplies and easy and convenience. However, negative experiences such as shortage of staff, the lack of communication and information on the CCMDD programme hindered the effectiveness of the CCMDD programme.

Conclusion:  Both nurses and patients of Sekhukhune PHC facilities had positive and negative experiences with regard to the implementation of the CCMDD programme; hence, strategies to improve the programme are needed to be developed.Contribution: The study contributes by providing recommendations for nurse training in the CCMDD programme, in order to improve service delivery processes of the implementation of the CCMDD programme in Sekhukhune PHC facilities.