The introduction of competence and performance assessment of medical practitioners in Namibia: Perceptions of stakeholders.

Abstract

Members of the public expect practicing medical practitioners to be competent. They expect poorly performing medical practitioners to be identified and either helped or removed from practice. Competence and performance assessment of individual medical practitioner is crucial for life-long learning and quality of care. Policymakers and the Health Professions Council of Namibia (HPCNA) should have good insights into the strengths and weaknesses of the methods available. The aim of this study was to describe the perceptions of stakeholders, namely Medical and Dental Council of Namibia (MDCNA) members as well as state and private medical practitioners, regarding the introduction of competence and performance assessment of medical practitioners in Namibia and to compare their views in order to gain insights into their views, with a view of implementing competence and performance assessment of a medical practitioners programme which might consequently improve quality services. The study followed a quantitative research approach using a descriptive design. A survey method using questionnaires was applied. A response rate of 66.0% was obtained. Data analysis, that included identifying and comparing the perceptions of different stakeholders regarding the introduction of a competence and performance assessment of medical practitioners, was done using SPSS. The target population included all MDCNA members, as well as state and private medical practitioners in Windhoek. The findings were that the majority of MDCNA and private medical practitioners, respectively, believe it is very necessary to introduce a competence and performance assessment of medical practitioners in Namibia. Their responses are comparable and consistent with the responses provided by the state medical practitioners. The study further revealed that the majority of MDCNA and private medical practitioners believe that the introduction of a competence and performance assessment of medical practitioners in Namibia could significantly improve quality health-care services. Their responses are comparable and consistent with the responses provided by the state medical practitioners. Recommendations are proposed based on the results of the study.