Barriers and Facilitators to Clinical Supervision in Ghana: A Scoping Review.

Background: Clinical supervision involves the professional relationship between an experienced and knowledgeable clinician and a less experienced clinician in which the experienced clinician provides support toward the skills development of the less experienced one. The concept, structure, and format of clinical supervision vary in various jurisdictions and is influenced by the availability of resources, the training needs of supervisees, and organizational structures. Aim: The aim of this scoping review was to explore, map out and synthesize the available literature on the facilitators and barriers to clinical supervision in Ghana. Methods: The methodological framework developed by Arksey and O'Malley and modified by Levac et al. for scoping reviews, and the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic reviews and Meta-Analyses extension for Scoping Reviews were used to ensure a coherent and transparent reporting of literature. A systematic search was conducted in PubMed, CINAHL, Scopus, Medline, and Google Scholar using key words and key terms. Articles published between January 1, 2000, and February 28, 2023, were included in the review. Results: The initial search across all the databases yielded 208 results. Two independent reviewers completed both the title and abstract, and full text screenings. A third reviewer helped to resolve all discrepancies that arose during the screening process. The review included 20 articles and generated four themes: clinical supervision as a collaborative effort, feedback mechanism, training and adaptation, and challenges with implementation. Conclusion: Findings from this review highlight that healthcare professionals in Ghana valued clinical supervision. However, the implementation of clinical supervision is faced with individual and systemic challenges. There is the need for on-going collaboration between educational and clinical institutions to develop modalities that promote clinical supervision in Ghana.

Experiences of persons with lower limb amputation after prosthetic rehabilitation in Ghana: A qualitative inquiry.

BACKGROUND: Lower limb amputations (LLAs) have long been associated with physical, social, and psychological consequences. Individuals with LLAs have challenges with mobility and often become isolated from their social networks. Disability rehabilitation technologies such as prosthetic devices are used to improve the mobility capabilities of lower limb amputees. To improve clinical outcomes, feedback from the prosthetic users is a key element to consider. OBJECTIVES: The study sort to explore the experiences of lower-limb prosthetic users after prosthetic rehabilitation in a prosthetic and orthotic rehabilitation center in the Eastern Region of Ghana. STUDY DESIGN: This study adopted an exploratory descriptive qualitative study design. METHODS: A purposive sampling technique and semistructured interview guide was used to interview 17 participants by the first author. The social model of disability underpinned the study. Lower-limb prosthetic users (≥18 years) with unilateral LLA attending outpatient follow-up at a prosthetic and orthotic rehabilitation center were recruited. The interviews were audio recoded, transcribed verbatim, and analyzed using the procedure for thematic content analysis by Braun and Clarke (2013). RESULTS: Participants reported injuries and tingling in their residual limb. Internal stigma resulting from negative comments and labeling from the public were reported. Prosthetic users experienced empathy and being treated as weaklings by their family/peers. Participants avoided relationships because of recurrent rejection, embarrassment, fear of sexual abuse, and exploitation. As a coping method, some participants chose to isolate themselves to avoid humiliation and public disgrace. Other coping mechanisms included watching television, listening to music, conversing with others, ignoring criticism, and having faith in God. CONCLUSION: Participants' narrative in this study gave insight into the varied lived experiences on the individual level, family/peer level, and the coping mechanisms used. Challenges relating to discomfort from the prosthesis, internal stigma, relationship avoidance, and altered sexual life should be given much attention and used in implementing initiatives to improve clinical outcomes.

Telemedicine in Ghana: Insight into the past and present, a narrative review of literature amidst the Coronavirus pandemic.

The Coronavirus pandemic has destabilized many healthcare systems globally since the outbreak was announced. The mode of transmission of the virus has affected the traditional face-to-face mode of seeking healthcare. The world health organization recommends measures, including limiting physical contact as a means of preventing the spread of the virus. Many countries across the world are utilizing telemedicine during this pandemic to provide basic healthcare to their citizens. The implementation of telemedicine in sub- Saharan Africa has encountered many challenges. The surge in the number of covid-19 cases in Ghana calls for drastic measures to contain the repercussions of the pandemic. The Government of Ghana and other private organizations continue to scale up efforts to integrate telemedicine into the mainstream healthcare system. This study seeks to explore and provide insight into the state of telemedicine in Ghana prior to and during the Coronavirus pandemic. This study is a narrative review of literature on the use of telemedicine in Ghana. Data was obtained from PubMed, Embase, ScienceDirect, Scopus and Google Scholar. A secondary search was conducted on government of Ghana health agencies' websites and other relevant websites that published information on telemedicine in Ghana. Literature was analysed and topically discussed based on identified themes. There is an improvement in the number of information and communication technology coordinated healthcare services in Ghana since the outbreak was confirmed. Public-private partnership is required to boost the integration of telemedicine into mainstream healthcare in Ghana.

Healthcare in Ghana amidst the coronavirus pandemic: a narrative literature review.

The Coronavirus pandemic has caused more deaths than any other single disease since the outbreak was confirmed. The World Health Organization in collaboration with national and international health agencies continues to lead the way in bracing global healthcare systems to fight the pandemic. There are variations in national capacities towards the preparedness and management of the pandemic. The Government of Ghana, through the Ministry of Health and Ghana Health Service, continues to provide policy and operational directions towards the containment of the pandemic. The purpose of this study is to review the setup of the healthcare sector in Ghana in light of the ongoing pandemic. This study is a narrative literature review in which data was extracted from electronic databases such as PubMed, Google Scholar, Scopus and Ebscohost that published Covid-19 research articles from Ghana. Literature was analyzed and discussed based on the structures and systems available in the healthcare sector, as well as trends available from the global perspective. The healthcare sector in Ghana continues to support the citizenry in the wake of the Coronavirus pandemic. The government provides regular updates and continue to pledge their support in dealing with the effects of the pandemic. Challenges with accessibility, workforce, funding, and infrastructure remain the major hindrances in fighting the pandemic. The government and healthcare partners need to continually reform the healthcare system to meet the increasing demand for healthcare during the pandemic.