Medical certification of death in South Africa – moving forward

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dc.contributor.authorBurger, Elsie Helenaen_ZA
dc.contributor.authorGroenewald, Pamen_ZA
dc.contributor.authorRossouw, Anastasiaen_ZA
dc.contributor.authorBradshaw, Debbieen_ZA
dc.date.accessioned2016-08-01T09:57:24Z
dc.date.available2016-08-01T09:57:24Z
dc.date.issued2015
dc.descriptionCITATION: Burger, E. H., et al. 2015. Medical certification of death in South Africa – moving forward. South African Medical Journal, 105(1):27-30, doi:10.7196/SAMJ.8578.
dc.descriptionThe original publication is available at http://www.samj.org.za
dc.description.abstractDespite improvements to the Death Notification Form (DNF) used in South Africa (SA), the quality of cause-of-death information remains suboptimal. To address these inadequacies, the government ran a train-the-trainer programme on completion of the DNF, targeting doctors in public sector hospitals. Training materials were developed and workshops were held in all provinces. This article reflects on the lessons learnt from the training and highlights issues that need to be addressed to improve medical certification and cause-of-death data in SA. The DNF should be completed truthfully and accurately, and confidentiality of the information on the form should be maintained. The underlying cause of death should be entered on the lowest completed line in the cause-of-death section, and if appropriate, HIV should be entered here. Exclusion clauses for HIV in life insurance policies with Association of Savings and Investments South Africa companies were scrapped in 2005. Interactive workshops provide a good learning environment, but are logistically challenging. More use should be made of online training resources, particularly with continuing professional development accreditation and helpline support. In addition, training in the completion of the DNF should become part of the curriculum in all medical schools, and part of the orientation of interns and community service doctors in all facilities.en_ZA
dc.description.urihttp://www.samj.org.za/index.php/samj/article/view/8578
dc.description.versionPublisher's version
dc.format.extent4 pages
dc.identifier.citationBurger, E. H., et al. 2015. Medical certification of death in South Africa – moving forward. South African Medical Journal, 105(1):27-30, doi:10.7196/SAMJ.8578
dc.identifier.issn2078-5135 (online)
dc.identifier.issn0256-9574 (print)
dc.identifier.otherdoi:10.7196/SAMJ.8578
dc.identifier.urihttp://hdl.handle.net/10019.1/99289
dc.language.isoen_ZAen_ZA
dc.publisherHealth & Medical Publishing Group
dc.rights.holderHealth & Medical Publishing Group
dc.subjectNotification of death -- South Africaen_ZA
dc.subjectDeath -- Causesen_ZA
dc.subjectDeath -- Proof and certification -- South Africaen_ZA
dc.subjectDeath notification form -- Training for doctorsen_ZA
dc.titleMedical certification of death in South Africa – moving forwarden_ZA
dc.typeArticleen_ZA
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