Simpiwe Sobuwa
Doctorate
Doctorate Title: A Critical Realist Study into the Emergence and Absence of Academic Success among Bachelor of Emergency Medical Care Students.
Doctorate Description: This critical realist thesis explores academic success in the four-year Bachelor of Emergency Medical Care degree in South Africa. The Bachelor of Emergency Medical Care degree is a relatively new degree that is offered at four universities in South Africa. In view of the existing shortage of paramedics both in South Africa and on the African continent, an understanding of the factors that play a role in academic success may lead to an increase in the number of emergency care providers. Accordingly, this study was conceptualised to explore the reasons why academic success is either evident or absent among Bachelor of Emergency Medical Care students.
The study utilised a sequential, explanatory, mixed methods research design. The quantitative phase consisted of an online survey that was disseminated to Bachelor of Emergency Medical Care students in South Africa with the aim of gaining an insight into their socio-cultural history. Continuous and categorical variables were described using basic descriptive statistics. The Pearson’s chi-square and Fisher’s exact test were used to test associations between the various survey variables and repeating a year. A p-value of less than 0.05 was considered to be statistically significant.
During the qualitative phase focus groups were held with students while semi-structured interviews were conducted with lecturing staff members. The aim of the qualitative approach was to explore the causal powers and generative mechanisms that give rise to or enable the emergence or absence of academic success among Bachelor of Emergency Medical Care students. Thematic analysis was used to analyse results from the focus groups and semi- structured interviews. A critical realist concept of the laminated system was also used to explore the themes that emerged.
A total of 176 participants (43%) from an available sample of 408 students responded to the survey. Not repeating a year was significantly associated with two important variables, namely, the possession of a pre-existing emergency care qualification and not being a white student. The qualitative results revealed that the following interactive generative mechanisms played a role in the lack of academic success. These were namely, biological, socioeconomic, socio-cultural, normative, psycho-social and psychological factors while the following interactive generative mechanisms facilitated the emergence of academic success – psychological, psycho-social, normative and socioeconomic factors.
Details:
Type: PhD
University: University of Cape Town
Primary Supervisor: Prof Stevan Bruijns
Category: Education
Funding:
Start Date: 2015
End Date: 2018
Status: Complete
Thesis
ThesisResearch Interests
emergency care education; prehospital emergency care
Publications
1. Lynch A, Sobuwa S, Castle N. Barriers to the implementation of prehospital thrombolysis in the treatment of ST-segment myocardial infarction in South Africa: An exploratory inquiry. African Journal of Emergency Medicine 2020. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.afjem.2020.08.001
2. Sobuwa S, McKenna S. The obstinate notion that higher education is a meritocracy. Critical Studies in Teaching and Learning 2019; 7(2): 1-15.
3. Sobuwa S, Lord B. A self-determination theory perspective on student success in attaining an emergency care degree. African Journal of Health Professions Education 2019; 11(4): 114-117.
4. Mchunu T.B., Ross A, Sobuwa S. Understanding and management of low back pain: A qualitative study of perceptions of traditional healers at the Warwick Muthi Market in Durban, South Africa. African Journal for Physical Activity and Health Sciences 2019; 25(3): 404-417.
5. Khoza T, Mshunqane N, Sobuwa S. Peace Support Operations in Sub-Saharan Africa: Lived experiences of Emergency Care Providers during external deployment. South Journal of Military Studies 2019; 47(1): 95-107
6. Sobuwa S, Lord B. Factors related to academic success among paramedic students. Australasian Journal of Paramedicine 2019; 16: 01-06.
7. Sobuwa S, Christopher L. EMS Education in South Africa: The Past, Present and Future. Australasian Journal of Paramedicine 2019; 16: 01-05.
8. Bester BH, Sobuwa S. Utilisation of prehospital intravenous access. South African Medical Journal 2014; 104(9): 615-618.
9. Sobuwa S, Hartzenberg HB, Geduld H, Uys C. Predicting outcome in severe traumatic brain injury using a simple prognostic model. South African Medical Journal 2014; 104(7): 492-494.
10. Spicer R, Sobuwa S. Medico-legal documents of patient refusal for treatment and transport to a medical facility are poorly completed. South African Journal of Bioethics and Law 2014; 7(2): 64-68.
11. Sobuwa S, Hartzenberg HB, Geduld H, Uys C. Outcomes following prehospital airway management in severe traumatic brain injury. South African Medical Journal 2013; 103 (9): 644-646.
Paramedic PhD is endorsed by:
