How community rehabilitation workers see their work

Abstract

This paper reports on research conducted by theWits/Tintswalo Community Rehabilitation, Research and Education(CORRE) Programme amongst qualified community rehabilitationworkers (CRWs). The aim was to understand how CRWs see  theirrole, successes, supervision support received, problems encounteredand possible solutions.Eighteen qualified CRWs completed a questionnaire, which contained a range of open-ended and semi-structured questions.The findings included their perceived role and successes in theirwork. They were satisfied with the supervision received from theirtherapy supervisors and support from their communities. TheDepartment of Health did not support them as much as did theircommunities. The lack of government assistance for transport wastheir biggest problem: They were not always able to reach  far awayclients and spent a lot of time travelling to and from clients everyday. They were also concerned that they were not registerable withthe South African Medical and Dental Council (SAMDC).   These findings provided the Northern Province and the CommunityBased Rehabilitation (CBR) manager with information to improveCBR service delivery. A two year diploma course in therapy assistance (community) for CRWs, occupational and physiotherapy assistants has been started.