Safeguarding patient safety in healthcare settings in Namibia: An appraisal of the regulatory framework governing healthcare professionals’ conduct and practice
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Date
2022
Authors
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
University of Namibia
Abstract
Patient safety refers to a framework of organised activities that creates cultures, processes, procedures, behaviours, technologies, and environments in healthcare, which consistently and sustainably lowers risks, reduces the occurrence of avoidable harm, makes error less likely, and reduces its impact when it does occur. The overall aim of the study was to evaluate the appropriateness of the Namibian regulatory framework for healthcare professions to contribute to the improvement of patient safety and, if not, how it can be enhanced. A mixed method approach was used in this study as quantitative, qualitative, exploratory, and descriptive research methods were employed. The necessary data were collected through literature review and analysis of relevant legislations, case law as well as government and regulatory authorities’ reports. The finding of this study is that Namibia has adopted a hybrid form of a traditional model of professional self-regulation, which is predominantly person-centred and premised on individual accountability with little or no regard for systemic and organisational factors such as bad policies and procedures, lack of resources and poor organisational culture that may compromise patient safety. In this respect, the Namibian regulatory framework for healthcare professions may be regarded as appropriate, but inadequate to improve patient safety. The study recommends a shift from the traditional way of regulating healthcare professions that focuses exclusively on individual healthcare practitioners to one that includes systemic and organisational determinants of patient safety, and simultaneously ensures that both individuals and systems can be held accountable when appropriate.
Description
A dissertation submitted in fulfilment of the requirements for the Degree of Doctor of Philosophy (Law)
Keywords
Healthcare professions, Namibian regulatory framework, Conduct and practice