Health Professionals
Work experience
Simple hospital building, Kwa-Zulu Natal.
A tragic contrast exists between the cushioned, high-technology comfort of the private healthcare system, and the crowded, resource-poor environment used by the bulk of southern African residents. The most crucial factor in narrowing this divide is to get a healthy complement of enthusiastic and qualified professionals into public facilities, particularly those in the rural areas, where hospitals are even more desperately understaffed.
By choosing to work in a public facility, you can make a substantial difference, and being part of a hospital's positive transformation into a dynamic care environment, as the facility reaches critical mass in terms of staffing.
“There's a real team atmosphere around the hospital so everyone really just pitches in and works hard, you just crack on and get on with it really. The consultants are also fantastic; they really lend a hand and work extremely hard.” (Dr Dave Barlow, UK)
At present, this change promises to be even more dramatic in South Africa, in light of the Department of Health's renewed energy in health system reform. However, change can take a while, and it is best not to expect miracles when you commit yourself to working in public service. Conditions are likely to be tough – you may need to work autonomously, in less than ideal surroundings, without the best and latest equipment. Your living quarters may not be ideal. There might be HR issues. The list goes on. Africa Health Placements has an orientation officer who will assist with problematic circumstances where possible, but ultimately, if you are choosing this path – be prepared to “Rough It” somewhat, and see this as part of the overall experience.
That being said, the work experience offers substantial benefits to those who choose it:
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CLINICAL EXPERIENCE: Tired of spending your days completing paperwork, seeing nothing more exciting than a new strain of flu? In a public setting, you're likely to be thrown straight into the deep end. Expect to work in trauma, obstetrics, anaesthesia and HIV/Aids - all in a day's work!
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WORKING ENVIRONMENT: Experience has proved that the best working environments are found in those facilities that have already been staffed by a few good people. Here, a strong sense of teamwork starts to build, where colleagues learn from each other, support one another – and tend to form strong social communities too. Many of the candidates we have placed also talk about being warmly welcomed into the local communities – really experiencing a slower, more connected approach to work and life.
