A framework to test South Africa’s readiness for the fourth industrial revolution
- Olaitan, Olutoyin O., Issah, Moshood, Wayi, Ntombovuyo
- Authors: Olaitan, Olutoyin O. , Issah, Moshood , Wayi, Ntombovuyo
- Date: 2021
- Subjects: Industry 4.0 Article
- Language: English
- Type: text , article
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/11260/7153 , vital:53072 , xlink:href=" https://doi.org/10.4102/sajim.v23i1.1284"
- Description: Background: The fourth industrial revolution (4IR) is being touted as having the capacity to lift South Africa out of the challenges of poverty, unemployment and inequitable distribution of wealth. However, the state of the country’s readiness for the enabling technologies of the 4IR is in question. Objective: This article sought to investigate South Africa’s state of readiness for the technologies that enable the 4IR. The article proposed a framework which can be used to measure the country’s level of preparedness and implement the necessary processes to move the country into the 4IR era. Method: A detailed analysis of literature was carried out on the current and futuristic technologies employed by developed countries as they moved towards the 4IR. The fit – viability and the task – technology theories were employed to propose a framework to government for measuring its state of readiness for the 4IR in South Africa. Results: Based on findings from the literature study, the article proposed the 4IR readiness framework for government to measure and subsequently plans its response to the advent of 4IR technologies in the country. Conclusion: The framework revealed that South Africa has low technological capability, plummeting economic complexity and a fall in digital technological readiness. There is also a dearth of skilled workforce and technological infrastructure. It was recommended that government should focus on building and strengthening the resilience of both public and private institutions, investment in relevant 4IR education, infrastructural improvement, and promulgation and enforcement of legal framework to ensure security and privacy of data. Keywords: 4IR; task – technology; fit – viability; digital technology readiness; economic complexity
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2021
- Authors: Olaitan, Olutoyin O. , Issah, Moshood , Wayi, Ntombovuyo
- Date: 2021
- Subjects: Industry 4.0 Article
- Language: English
- Type: text , article
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/11260/7153 , vital:53072 , xlink:href=" https://doi.org/10.4102/sajim.v23i1.1284"
- Description: Background: The fourth industrial revolution (4IR) is being touted as having the capacity to lift South Africa out of the challenges of poverty, unemployment and inequitable distribution of wealth. However, the state of the country’s readiness for the enabling technologies of the 4IR is in question. Objective: This article sought to investigate South Africa’s state of readiness for the technologies that enable the 4IR. The article proposed a framework which can be used to measure the country’s level of preparedness and implement the necessary processes to move the country into the 4IR era. Method: A detailed analysis of literature was carried out on the current and futuristic technologies employed by developed countries as they moved towards the 4IR. The fit – viability and the task – technology theories were employed to propose a framework to government for measuring its state of readiness for the 4IR in South Africa. Results: Based on findings from the literature study, the article proposed the 4IR readiness framework for government to measure and subsequently plans its response to the advent of 4IR technologies in the country. Conclusion: The framework revealed that South Africa has low technological capability, plummeting economic complexity and a fall in digital technological readiness. There is also a dearth of skilled workforce and technological infrastructure. It was recommended that government should focus on building and strengthening the resilience of both public and private institutions, investment in relevant 4IR education, infrastructural improvement, and promulgation and enforcement of legal framework to ensure security and privacy of data. Keywords: 4IR; task – technology; fit – viability; digital technology readiness; economic complexity
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2021
Primary healthcare approach to substance abuse management
- Authors: Kaswa, Ramprakash
- Date: 2021
- Subjects: Substance abuse Diseases Primary health care Article
- Language: English
- Type: text , article
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/11260/7259 , vital:53104 , xlink:href="https://doi.org/10.4102/safp.v63i1.5307"
- Description: Substance abuse is common amongst patients attending primary healthcare settings. Despite the substantial impact on one’s health, substance abuse is often underdiagnosed by primary care providers owing to a lack of training and time for screening. Self-reported screening tools are easy to administer and efficient to make a substance abuse diagnosis in primary care settings. Comorbid mental illness and intimate partner violence are common amongst patients presenting with substance abuse in primary care. An early diagnosis and a brief behavioural change counselling are effective in managing substance abuse before it develops into dependency. A brief motivational communication rather than a confrontation during substance abuse screening, counselling and treatment is important to achieve optimum patient outcomes. Keywords: substance abuse; primary healthcare setting; screening tools; brief behavioural change counselling; co-morbidity
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2021
- Authors: Kaswa, Ramprakash
- Date: 2021
- Subjects: Substance abuse Diseases Primary health care Article
- Language: English
- Type: text , article
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/11260/7259 , vital:53104 , xlink:href="https://doi.org/10.4102/safp.v63i1.5307"
- Description: Substance abuse is common amongst patients attending primary healthcare settings. Despite the substantial impact on one’s health, substance abuse is often underdiagnosed by primary care providers owing to a lack of training and time for screening. Self-reported screening tools are easy to administer and efficient to make a substance abuse diagnosis in primary care settings. Comorbid mental illness and intimate partner violence are common amongst patients presenting with substance abuse in primary care. An early diagnosis and a brief behavioural change counselling are effective in managing substance abuse before it develops into dependency. A brief motivational communication rather than a confrontation during substance abuse screening, counselling and treatment is important to achieve optimum patient outcomes. Keywords: substance abuse; primary healthcare setting; screening tools; brief behavioural change counselling; co-morbidity
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2021
Re-engineering imperatives to enhance the effectiveness of municipal public accounts committees in South African municipalities
- Mofolo, Malefetsane A., Adonis, Vuyo
- Authors: Mofolo, Malefetsane A. , Adonis, Vuyo
- Date: 2021
- Subjects: Criminal liability Maleficence Municipal finance--Accounting Reengineering (Management) Article
- Language: English
- Type: text , article
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/11260/7179 , vital:53082 , xlink:href="https://doi.org/10.4102/apsdpr.v9i1.510"
- Description: Background: After 26 years into democracy and 20 years of the new local government operations, the state of the majority of municipalities in South Africa still leaves much to be desired, as they are plagued with maleficence. What is concerning is that these negative tendencies that are troubling local government occur even under the watchful eye of the municipal public accounts committees (MPACs). Aim: The aim of this study was to evaluate the composition and the role of MPACs, which have experienced a number of challenges since they were introduced in response to the widely held perception of the culture of lack of accountability in South African municipalities. Methods: This article is theoretical in nature, and it draws its arguments from secondary data in order to understand the composition and the role of MPACs, including its challenges. Results: This study regards the composition of the MPAC as lacking the necessary vigour to be efficient and effective in executing its duties, particularly when considering the challenges and political influences that it tends to face in its operations. Conclusion: The study concludes that there is a need for re-engineering of the composition and the role of the MPAC in order to ensure that it executes its functions efficiently and effectively. Consequently, the study recommends three cardinal pillars that must be given attention in re-engineering the MPAC: policy, authority and power. Keywords: Internal accountability; maleficence; municipalities; municipal public accounts committees; re-engineering
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2021
- Authors: Mofolo, Malefetsane A. , Adonis, Vuyo
- Date: 2021
- Subjects: Criminal liability Maleficence Municipal finance--Accounting Reengineering (Management) Article
- Language: English
- Type: text , article
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/11260/7179 , vital:53082 , xlink:href="https://doi.org/10.4102/apsdpr.v9i1.510"
- Description: Background: After 26 years into democracy and 20 years of the new local government operations, the state of the majority of municipalities in South Africa still leaves much to be desired, as they are plagued with maleficence. What is concerning is that these negative tendencies that are troubling local government occur even under the watchful eye of the municipal public accounts committees (MPACs). Aim: The aim of this study was to evaluate the composition and the role of MPACs, which have experienced a number of challenges since they were introduced in response to the widely held perception of the culture of lack of accountability in South African municipalities. Methods: This article is theoretical in nature, and it draws its arguments from secondary data in order to understand the composition and the role of MPACs, including its challenges. Results: This study regards the composition of the MPAC as lacking the necessary vigour to be efficient and effective in executing its duties, particularly when considering the challenges and political influences that it tends to face in its operations. Conclusion: The study concludes that there is a need for re-engineering of the composition and the role of the MPAC in order to ensure that it executes its functions efficiently and effectively. Consequently, the study recommends three cardinal pillars that must be given attention in re-engineering the MPAC: policy, authority and power. Keywords: Internal accountability; maleficence; municipalities; municipal public accounts committees; re-engineering
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2021
Skills for communicating severe acute respiratory syndrome-coronavirus-2 result to patients and/or relatives
- Adeniyi, Oladele Vincent, Kayembe, Dominique K
- Authors: Adeniyi, Oladele Vincent , Kayembe, Dominique K
- Date: 2021
- Subjects: COVID-19 Structured model Medical consultation Article
- Language: English
- Type: text , article
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/11260/7236 , vital:53095 , xlink:href="https://doi.org/10.4102/safp.v63i1.5221"
- Description: Clinicians notify positive results of the severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus-2 polymerase chain reaction to patients and/or relatives, whilst short message service (SMS) has been adopted as a means of disseminating negative results. Therefore, clinicians should be adequately equipped to provide telephonic consultation whilst delivering a positive test result to patients. The news of the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) test result often invokes fear of impending death in patients, especially the elderlies and those with comorbidities. In addition, several survivors have reported persistent symptoms and COVID-19-related stigma, which precludes them from immediate re-integration into their workplaces. Consequently, COVID-19 results are perceived as bad news by the members of the public. This article justifies why COVID-19 test results are bad news and also discusses the notification steps to follow when delivering COVID-19 results, whilst also addressing patients’ immediate concerns. The article concludes by highlighting an important safety net for COVID-19 patients and the attending clinician.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2021
- Authors: Adeniyi, Oladele Vincent , Kayembe, Dominique K
- Date: 2021
- Subjects: COVID-19 Structured model Medical consultation Article
- Language: English
- Type: text , article
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/11260/7236 , vital:53095 , xlink:href="https://doi.org/10.4102/safp.v63i1.5221"
- Description: Clinicians notify positive results of the severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus-2 polymerase chain reaction to patients and/or relatives, whilst short message service (SMS) has been adopted as a means of disseminating negative results. Therefore, clinicians should be adequately equipped to provide telephonic consultation whilst delivering a positive test result to patients. The news of the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) test result often invokes fear of impending death in patients, especially the elderlies and those with comorbidities. In addition, several survivors have reported persistent symptoms and COVID-19-related stigma, which precludes them from immediate re-integration into their workplaces. Consequently, COVID-19 results are perceived as bad news by the members of the public. This article justifies why COVID-19 test results are bad news and also discusses the notification steps to follow when delivering COVID-19 results, whilst also addressing patients’ immediate concerns. The article concludes by highlighting an important safety net for COVID-19 patients and the attending clinician.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2021
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