Challenges experienced by health care professionals working in resource-poor intensive care settings in the Limpopo province of South Africa

Background: Providing optimal care to critically ill patients poses challenges in resource-poor settings due to a lack of equipment, inadequately trained personnel, and limited infrastructure. 

Objectives: This study explored challenges experienced by health care professionals working in resource-poor intensive care units. 

Method: A qualitative, explorative, descriptive design was used. The population comprised nurses and doctors working in an intensive care unit of one hospital in the Limpopo province of South Africa. A purposive sample was selected, and 17 semi-structured interviews were conducted. Data were analyzed using Tesch’s method. Ethical considerations were adhered to. 

Results: Participants experienced challenges related to the provision of suboptimal patient care, non-adherence to protocols and/or instructions, and practicing beyond the scope of practice. 

Conclusion: A lack of resources led to the provision of suboptimal intensive care for patients. Patients were prone to infections and their safety might be compromised. 

Keywords: Health Care Professionals; Intensive Care Units; Critically Ill Patients; Resource-Poor Intensive Care Units.

DU Ramathuba holds a PhD in nursing science, specializes in health service management and health policy planning, and she is a lecturer at the University of Venda.