TY - JOUR
T1 - Perceptions of the functioning and effectiveness of nursing regulators in Ghana and South Africa
T2 - A cross-sectional study
AU - Christmals, Christmal Dela
AU - Aziato, Lydia
AU - Rispel, Laetitia Charmaine
N1 - Publisher Copyright:
© Author(s) (or their mployer(s)) 2021.
PY - 2021/12/3
Y1 - 2021/12/3
N2 - Objective Nursing regulators are important governance structures for nurses who are critical to the achievement of universal health coverage (UHC). This study examined the perspectives of the heads of nursing education institutions (NEIs) in Ghana and South Africa on the functioning and effectiveness of the respective nursing regulators. Design This was a cross-sectional survey. Setting This study was conducted in Ghana and South Africa Participants Heads of accredited NEIs in Ghana (n=65) and in South Africa (n=39). Results In South Africa, the mean score for overall functioning of the South African Nursing Council (SANC) was 4.6 (SD 1.97), whereas the mean score for overall functioning of the Nursing and Midwifery Council of Ghana (NMC) was 7.1 (SD 1.7) (p<0.0001). Similarly, the mean score for effectiveness of the SANC by NEIs was 5.1, compared with the mean effectiveness score of 7.2 for the NMC (p<0.001). Compared to the SANC, the heads of NEIs scored the NMC higher on each of the six functional areas of policy-making (Ghana=7.06; SA=4.56); accreditation (Ghana=7.40; SA=4.10) legal and disciplinary actions (Ghana=6.45; SA=5.52); examination (Ghana=7.84; SA=5.00); registration (Ghana=8.27; SA=5.96) and communication and transparency (Ghana=6.87; SA=6.05). Conclusion Both the NMC and SANC are well-established regulators and are vital to ensure that the nursing workforce in each country is able to deliver quality healthcare, thereby contributing to UHC and population health improvements. However, the study findings suggest the need for concerted efforts to improve the functioning and effectiveness of the regulators, especially the SANC. The six functional areas could guide the necessary improvements in regulator functioning and effectiveness, in partnership with relevant stakeholders.
AB - Objective Nursing regulators are important governance structures for nurses who are critical to the achievement of universal health coverage (UHC). This study examined the perspectives of the heads of nursing education institutions (NEIs) in Ghana and South Africa on the functioning and effectiveness of the respective nursing regulators. Design This was a cross-sectional survey. Setting This study was conducted in Ghana and South Africa Participants Heads of accredited NEIs in Ghana (n=65) and in South Africa (n=39). Results In South Africa, the mean score for overall functioning of the South African Nursing Council (SANC) was 4.6 (SD 1.97), whereas the mean score for overall functioning of the Nursing and Midwifery Council of Ghana (NMC) was 7.1 (SD 1.7) (p<0.0001). Similarly, the mean score for effectiveness of the SANC by NEIs was 5.1, compared with the mean effectiveness score of 7.2 for the NMC (p<0.001). Compared to the SANC, the heads of NEIs scored the NMC higher on each of the six functional areas of policy-making (Ghana=7.06; SA=4.56); accreditation (Ghana=7.40; SA=4.10) legal and disciplinary actions (Ghana=6.45; SA=5.52); examination (Ghana=7.84; SA=5.00); registration (Ghana=8.27; SA=5.96) and communication and transparency (Ghana=6.87; SA=6.05). Conclusion Both the NMC and SANC are well-established regulators and are vital to ensure that the nursing workforce in each country is able to deliver quality healthcare, thereby contributing to UHC and population health improvements. However, the study findings suggest the need for concerted efforts to improve the functioning and effectiveness of the regulators, especially the SANC. The six functional areas could guide the necessary improvements in regulator functioning and effectiveness, in partnership with relevant stakeholders.
KW - education & training (see medical education & training)
KW - health policy
KW - organisational development
KW - public health
UR - http://www.scopus.com/inward/record.url?scp=85120919453&partnerID=8YFLogxK
U2 - 10.1136/bmjopen-2021-050580
DO - 10.1136/bmjopen-2021-050580
M3 - Article
C2 - 34862283
AN - SCOPUS:85120919453
SN - 2044-6055
VL - 11
JO - BMJ Open
JF - BMJ Open
IS - 12
M1 - e050580
ER -