title: Challenges for efficient health service delivery: experiences of dietitians completing their compulsory community service year in South Africa.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To evaluate the successes and shortcomings of the community service programme implemented by the Department of Health (DOH) in South Africa by evaluating community service dietitians' experiences and challenges during the 2009 community service year.
  
  
  METHODS
  The study employed both quantitative and qualitative research designs. A national survey was conducted using a questionnaire to illicit information on community service dietitians' working environments and the challenges they experienced. Furthermore individual interviews were conducted with a purposively selected subsample of community service dietitians to further explore issues that arose in the survey.
  
  
  METHODS
  Data were collected from community service dietitians in the public health sector in South Africa.
  
  
  METHODS
  Dietitians completing their community service year in 2009.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Of the 168 community service dietitians placed in 2009, 134 (80 %) participated in the survey, while five community service dietitians in each province (n 45) were interviewed. Overall the community service dietitians were positive about the community service year and reported that it improved their confidence, skills and competencies. However, they experienced challenges related to the orientation programme, supervision/mentoring, resources available, patient referrals and communication.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Despite the overall success of the community service year there are still challenges which the DOH needs to address in order to provide the best nutrition service possible for its patients.
authors.affiliation: Centre for the Study of the Social and Environmental Determinants of Nutrition, Population Health, Health Systems and Innovation, Human Sciences Research Council, Plein Park Building, Plein Street, Private Bag X9182, Cape Town 8000, South Africa. wparker@hsrc.ac.za
authors.forename: Whadi-ah
authors.initials: WA
authors.lastname: Parker
authors.forename: Nelia P
authors.initials: NP
authors.lastname: Steyn
authors.forename: Zandile
authors.initials: Z
authors.lastname: Mchiza
authors.forename: Edelweiss
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Wentzel-Viljoen
authors.forename: Andre
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Dannhauser
authors.forename: Xikombiso
authors.initials: X
authors.lastname: Mbhenyane
authors.forename: Gladys
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Nthangeni
authors.forename: Lynn
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Moeng
mesh_terms: D003153:Community Health Services; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D003695:Delivery of Health Care / Q000379:methods*; D004046:Dietetics / Q000193:education*; D005069:Evaluation Studies as Topic; D006801:Humans; D007397:Internship, Nonmedical; D011634:Public Health; D013019:South Africa; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires