GRADUATES PERCEPTIONS OF FACTORS CONTRIBUTING TO THE SUCCESS OF A SCHOLARSHIP SCHEME FOR RURAL STUDENTS

A. Ross UKZN

Abstract

Background:

Mosvold Hospital is one of 5 district hospitals providing care for 555 000 indigent people in the Umkhanyakude district, Northern KwaZulu Natal. Recruiting of professional staff is an ongoing challenge for Hospital Management. An innovative, locally based scholarship scheme was established in 1998 to identify and fund local scholars who were admitted to a tertiary facility to study health science courses, support these students at university or technikon and ensure that graduates were integrated into the workforce within the district.

Objectives: To determine graduates perceptions of the factors that lead to the success at university/ technical college of students from Umkhanyakude district who have been supported by the Friends of Mosvold scholarship scheme (FOMSS)

Method: All graduates from the 1999-2002 cohort of students awarded a scholarship by the FOM SS were invited to participate. Focus group discussions or free attitude interviews were conducted followed by a self administered questionnaire.

Results: To date 33 FOM students have graduated. 1 graduate has returned to university, 4 are completing their internship, 2 have completed their contract time with FOM, 1 graduate has died, 14 are currently working at Mosvold Hospital and 11 are working in other hospitals in the district. Factors contributing to their success include personal motivation, support at university and holiday work experience.

Conclusions: Despite educational challenges, students from rural areas are able to succeed at tertiary institutions and will return to work in rural districts. District hospitals can play an important role in the selection and support of rural origin students.