A framework for staff development in the School for Allied Health Professions, University of the Free State

 

 

S van Vuuren^I; MM Nel^II; SM van Heerden^III; G Joubert^IV

^IPh.D. Health Professions Education; Head: School for Allied Health Professions and Senior Lecturer, Department of Occupational Therapy, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of the Free State
^IIPh.D Natural Sciences and Ph.D - Tertiary Education Management; Prof and Head, Health Sciences Education, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of the Free State
^IIIM.Arb.; Head, Department of Occupational Therapy, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of the Free State
^IVBA, M.Sc; Prof and Head, Department of Biostatistics, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of the Free State

Correspondence

 

 

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ABSTRACT

This article reports on the development of a staff development framework for the School for Allied Health Professions (SAHP) at the University of the Free State. The aim of compiling such a framework was to create a structure to serve as a master plan for staff development planning. A comprehensive literature study was done to identify the factors that influence staff development at Higher Education Institutions. A questionnaire was used to capture staff perceptions of skill development. Indicators from the literature as well as data from the completed questionnaires determined which components were included in the framework. The framework consists of three phases namely, planning, operational and evaluation phases. Each phase showed the complex interaction of factors that should be taken into account. The framework can serve as basis for the development of own modules for staff development within the different departments in the SAHP as well as other departments within Allied Health Professions in South Africa.

Key words: Staff development, Allied Health Professions, Framework for Staff Development

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Correspondence:
Dr. S. van Vuuren (Ph.D. Health Professions Education)
PO Box 339
Bloemfontein, 9300
Email: gnatsvv.md@ufs.ac.za