Public trust in the South African public healthcare sector: Thohoyandou, Limpopo Province

Abstract

There is substantial evidence indicating that the quality of healthcare in South Africa has been adversely affected by several factors, including a shortage of skilled healthcare professionals, poor leadership and management, inadequate infrastructure, limited resources, and the influence of social determinants of health. This decline in healthcare quality has greatly diminished public trust in the South African healthcare system (Abrahams et al., 2022:63; Blackmore, 2018:2; Maphumulo & Bhengu, 2019:1; Meiring, 2019:1). The purpose of this study was to investigate the level of public trust in the South African public healthcare sector in Thohoyandou, Limpopo Province. This study employed a qualitative research approach, using an exploratory case study design within an interpretivist paradigm to address the research questions. The target population comprised all South African citizens, aged 21 to 60, residing in the Thohoyandou community, Limpopo Province, who use the public healthcare system. A convenient sampling technique was employed to select respondents for the study, as it is practical and accessible for recruiting participants from the designated community. All respondents were required to be between 21 and 60 years old. A total of 12 respondents were interviewed until data saturation was reached, excluding officials working in the public healthcare sector. A thematic content analysis was performed to analyse the qualitative data. The findings indicate a lack of public trust in the South African public healthcare sector within the Thohoyandou community, Limpopo Province. This distrust appears to arise from issues related to limited accessibility and affordability of public healthcare services, unequal treatment of patients, and prolonged waiting times for medical consultations. The findings of this research have implications for policymakers, health planners, and managers as they make decisions regarding resource distribution and enhance public confidence in healthcare systems. The study recommends that building trust in public health strategies requires the reliable provision of quality services, a well-defined common goal, and principles rooted in moral frameworks. It necessitates a commitment to the welfare of all stakeholders, including employees, along with the incorporation of dependability, honesty, and openness in policies, strategies, and practices.