Professor Mergan Naidoo.UKZN Family Medicine Specialist Contributes to SA Family Practice Manual
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Family Medicine specialist, Professor Mergan Naidoo, is an editor of the 4th edition of the South African Family Practice Manual (SAFPM) as well as contributing 10 chapters to the publication.
The SAFPM is a useful resource for medical students, interns, community service medical officers, general practitioners and, in some instances, registrars and doctors doing postgraduate diplomas.
Naidoo, an Associate Professor in the Discipline of Family Medicine at UKZN, is passionate about Health Professions Education (HPE) and previously served as an academic leader of Teaching and Learning in the School of Nursing and Public Health and has published extensively in the field of HPE. He is also an Academic Editor for the PLOS1 journal; an external examiner for the University of Botswana; Chairperson of the eThekwini Family Medicine Forum; Honorary Secretary: College of Family Physicians of South Africa; Postgraduate co-ordinator of the Masters of Medicine (Family Medicine) Programme at UKZN, and Head of the Clinical Unit of Family Medicine at Wentworth Hospital in Durban.
When asked about what drives him as a lecturer, Naidoo said: ‘Stimulating young people to be critical thinkers and keep them asking questions is what motivates me as a teacher.’
The SAFPM is a project of the national professional body for Family Medicine - the South African Academy of Family Physicians - and has been a key resource for Family Medicine training in this country and many others across Africa. It’s a practical guide focusing on the “how to” of working in the district health services and includes the core skills required of family physicians, which registrars in Family Medicine need to acquire during their training as well as additional skills relevant to family practice in different settings. It is also relevant to other clinicians working in district health services, such as medical officers, general practitioners, nurse practitioners and clinical associates in primary health care and district hospital environments.
In the fourth edition of the manual, new topics have been added, such as history including sexual health, point-of-care ultrasound, helping people with impairments, and mentoring and helping learners in difficulty. Naidoo has included the manual in his day-to-day teaching and assisted in training Medical students, interns, and registrars.
He said: ‘The manual is a helpful resource for everyday clinical practice and those enrolled for undergraduate and postgraduate studies. It covers the day-to-day skills needed by students and practising clinicians in Southern Africa who have written chapters relevant to the African context. It is an easy-to-read reference guide for clinicians and is especially important for those who perform procedures infrequently because using this resource promotes patient safety. Students should read the manual and practice skills in the skills laboratories under peer or expert observation. Reflection and feedback are helpful strategies for personal growth and development.
‘The manual covers skills from all disciplines, including internal medicine, paediatrics, surgery, obstetrics and gynaecology, anaesthetics, orthopaedics, mental health and surgical specialities such as Otorhinolaryngology (ENT) and ophthalmology,’ said Naidoo. ‘It also provides specific information on history taking in various contexts and counselling, is ideal for the undergraduate Medical student and will help improve clinical competency and performance in clinical exams.’
Dr Vesagan Deenadayalu, a community service Medical officer in the Ndwedwe Community Health centre, also commented on his experiences referring to the manual. ‘The transition between internship and community service can be a daunting experience for many. It is a period where we use the clinical skills and values learned in internship to guide ourselves and manage patients in resource-limited settings, often without the guidance of a senior. Having the SAFPM helps guide the clinician in a concise manner on practical daily tasks from women’s health to medical and surgical emergencies. It has given me the ability to further my practical knowledge and equipped me with the confidence in performing procedures ranging from draining an abscess to reducing fractures. One of the key benefits of the manual allows a Medical student to utilise it throughout their career from medical school, internship, and community service to their general practitioner practice or registrar training.’
Contact Raymond Selepe at RSelepe@vanschaiknet.com for more information on how to get a copy of the manual.
Words: MaryAnn Francis
Images: Supplied