Table 2 Comparison of workplace characteristics of TMGs in initial versus revised curriculum a
Workplace characteristics | Initial (N = 112) | Revised (N = 188) | pvalue |
|---|---|---|---|
# (%) | # (%) | ||
Clinic type | 0.69 | ||
Health Centre I | 24 (21.4) | 45 (23.9) | |
Health Centre II | 63 (56.3) | 96 (51.1) | |
Hospital (all) | 25 (22.3) | 47 (25.0) | |
Coworkers | |||
Physician | 60 (53.6) | 98 (52.1) | 0.81 |
Clinical officer | 64 (57.1) | 102 (54.3) | 0.63 |
Nurse | 110 (98.2) | 187 (99.5) | 0.29 |
Pharmacy staff | 81 (72.3) | 116 (61.7) | 0.06 |
Laboratory staff | 61 (54.5) | 63 (33.5) | 0.00 |
Clinic characteristics | |||
In-patient care | 57 (50.9) | 98 (52.1) | 0.84 |
Internet access | 22 (19.6) | 28 (14.9) | 0.27 |
Reference hospital | 43 (38.4) | 93 (49.5) | 0.06 |
X-ray available | 30 (26.8) | 34 (18.1) | 0.08 |
Has TB smear microscopy | 78 (69.6) | 122 (64.9) | 0.40 |
Available rapid tests | 98 (87.5) | 184 (97.9) | 0.00 |
No on-site laboratory | 21 (18.8) | 57 (30.3) | 0.03 |
Workplace challenges | |||
Poor supervision | 16 (14.3) | 23 (12.2) | 0.61 |
Poor pre-service training | 6 (5.4) | 15 (7.9) | 0.39 |
Differences between classroom and work place | 39 (34.8) | 57 (30.3) | 0.42 |
Missing clinic equipment | 85 (75.9) | 149 (79.3) | 0.50 |
Little access to diagnostic equipment | 58 (51.8) | 122 (64.9) | 0.03 |
Missing guidelines for complex patients | 22 (19.6) | 51 (27.1) | 0.14 |
Workload | 68 (60.7) | 127 (67.6) | 0.23 |
Improvement strategies | |||
Received clinical supervision | 92 (82.1) | 167 (88.8) | 0.10 |
Consult guidelines or protocols | 75 (67.0) | 120 (63.8) | 0.58 |
Search the Internet | 35 (31.3) | 43 (22.9) | 0.11 |
Request supervisor’s help | 42 (37.5) | 66 (35.1) | 0.68 |
Ask work colleague for help | 83 (74.1) | 157 (83.5) | 0.05 |
Refer patients to other clinic | 82 (73.2) | 147 (78.2) | 0.33 |