Volume 17 Issue 3 September 2008Original Research
Development of a South African integrated syndromic respiratory disease guideline for primary care
Pages 156-163
*René G Englisha,b, Eric D Batemanc, Merrick F Zwarensteina,d, Lara R Fairalla,c, Angeni Bheekiee, Max O Bachmanna,f, Bosielo Majarag, Salah-Eddine Ottmanih, Robert W Scherpbieri
a
Knowledge Translation Unit, University of Cape Town Lung Institute, Cape Town, South Africa
b
Department of Public Health and Family Medicine, University of Cape Town, South Africa
c
Division of Pulmonology, Department of Medicine, University of Cape Town, Cape Town, South Africa
d
Department of Health Policy, Management and Evaluation, University of Toronto, Ontario, Canada
e
School of Pharmacy, University of Western Cape, Cape Town, South Africa
f
Health Services Reseach, Department of Health Policy and Practice, University of East Anglia, Norwich, UK
g
Formerly of the Department of Community Health, University of the Free State, Bloemfontein, South Africa
h
The Practical Approach to Lung Health, Stop TB, World Health Organisation, Geneva, Switzerland
i
Formerly of the The Practical Approach to Lung Health, Stop TB, World Health Organisation, Geneva, Switzerland
Received 16 January 2008 • Accepted 22 May 2008 • Online 13 August 2008
Abstract
AIMS: The Practical Approach to Lung Health in South Africa (PALSA) initiative aimed to develop an integrated symptom- and sign-based
(syndromic) respiratory disease guideline for nurse care practitioners working in primary care in a developing country.
METHODS: A multidisciplinary team developed the guideline after reviewing local barriers to respiratory health care provision, relevant
health care policies, existing respiratory guidelines, and literature. Guideline drafts were evaluated by means of focus group discussions.
Existing evidence-based guideline development methodologies were tailored for development of the guideline.
RESULTS: A locally-applicable guideline based on syndromic diagnostic algorithms was developed for the management of patients 15 years
and older who presented to primary care facilities with cough or difficulty breathing.
CONCLUSIONS: PALSA has developed a guideline that integrates and presents diagnostic and management recommendations for priority
respiratory diseases in adults using a symptom- and sign-based algorithmic guideline for nurses in developing countries.
Keywords
Guideline, diagnosis, primary care, nurse, asthma, COPD, tuberculosis, infection, management
* Corresponding author. René G English Tel: +27 (0)82 967 9585 Email: renglish@pgwc.gov.za | |
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