During the 2024 Campus-Wide Community Engagement (CE) Showcase held on the North-West University (NWU) Mahikeng Campus highlights impactful CE projects from the NWU School of Nursing facilitated by Potchefstroom Campus personnel. The projects all aim to improve healthcare delivery, uplift professional and ancillary healthcare personnel to support both personnel wellbeing and patient outcomes. Here’s an overview of all three the projects led by members of the Presence team, each of which embodies NWUs commitment to compassionate, Presence-centred healthcare and aligns with Sustainable Development Goal 3: Good Health and Well-Being.
Presence in Healthcare Workshop
The Presence in Healthcare Workshop is a transformative initiative from the School of Nursing designed to foster multidisciplinary collaboration and compassionate care. Led by Prof Emmerentia du Plessis, Dr Kathleen Froneman, and Prof Tinda Rabie, and supported by dedicated representatives, this workshop engages both public and private healthcare sector reaching both professional and ancillary healthcare personnel, encouraging them to work together in a unified effort to improve professional wellbeing and patient outcomes.
Guided by the DREAM guideline - dedication, respect through relationship, environment, art of healthcare, attitude & advocacy, and motivation, is used during the workshops which focuses on equipping healthcare teams with strategies to enhance team dynamics, improve communication, and cultivate an environment of empathy and care. Through this approach, professional and ancillary healthcare personnel are encouraged to connect meaningfully with themselves on a personal level and with colleagues, to ultimately supporting personal and professional wellbeing and improve patient health outcomes. This initiative underscores NWUs commitment to sustainable healthcare practices that truly put patients at the heart of care.
Taking HANDS Project
Another powerful initiative in compassionate care is the Taking HANDS Project, also led by Prof du Plessis, with support from Dr Annemarie van Wyk, Dr Belinda Scrooby, Mrs Mariska Oosthuizen-Van Tonder and Ms. Leoni Coetzee. This project brings together the NWU Presence team, Witrand Hospital, and the Non-Governmental Organisation (NGO) named Second Life Group to focus on improving the quality of life for patients with intellectual disabilities.
Taking a "Presence approach," this project is structured around sensory stimulation activities that uplift both patients and the nursing staff. Patients engage in various interactive activities designed to stimulate their senses and promote their engagement in meaningful tasks. These activities provide therapeutic benefits and enhance patients' day-to-day experiences, while simultaneously boosting morale and job satisfaction among nursing staff. This joint endeavour exemplifies how a compassionate, presence-focused approach can make a profound difference in specialized healthcare settings.
A particularly inspiring example of collaborative, compassionate care is the Presence Stimulation Project, which targets improving patient quality of life alongside enhancing job satisfaction for healthcare providers. This project relies on a strong partnership between the NWU School of Nursing, the Presence in Nursing team, and Witrand Hospital nursing staff.
In this initiative, activities are developed monthly based on the input from the Activity Centre’s nursing staff and align with specific themes. Nursing staff, especially those in the Activity Centre, play a central role in selecting patients to participate, designing the activities, and coordinating with the operational managers of various wards. These activities range from basic skill-building, such as feeding and brushing teeth, to engaging group activities, including games, art, and music. See below file more information on the Presence Stimulation Project.
Progress reports reveal a marked improvement in patient engagement and an uplift in staff morale. Patients have shown improved functional skills and are actively participating in colouring, singing, and social games, demonstrating the project’s success. This ongoing partnership also has support from community sponsors, including a local nonprofit, and integrates NWUs fourth-year nursing students in this CE project, who lead group work sessions during their clinical placements at Witrand Hospital.
Looking ahead, the Presence Stimulation Project aims to continue with a “Presence approach,” maintaining open communication and adaptability to meet the unique and evolving needs of both patients and staff. This ensures that NWUs nursing team can continue their mission of providing compassionate care that makes a lasting impact on the lives of those they serve.
These projects reflect NWU’s dedication to enriching healthcare in South Africa through collaborative, compassionate, and Presence-centred practices. As showcased in the 2024 CE showcase, the School of Nursing’s commitment to uplifting both patients and healthcare workers embodies NWUs broader vision of health and well-being. Through initiatives like these, NWU not only advances healthcare but also creates a model of care that centres on humanity, empathy, and support, inspiring change within the healthcare community and beyond.
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