Evaluating the Efficiency of Counseling as a Treatment Process a Case Study of Grade B Hospital in Entebbe Municipality, Wakiso District

Abstract

The study was done to evaluate the efficiency of counseling as a treatment process in Grade B Hospital in Entebbe Municipality, Wakiso District. It employed mainly the qualitative approach and to a lesser extent the quantitative approach to research. The research employed a case study design and it was carried out in Grade B Hospital in Entebbe. The study objectives were: to find out the different counseling approaches and techniques used in Grade B Hospital, the second one was to discover the positive changes brought about by counseling as a treatment process, and third one was to suggest measures of improving counseling as a treatment process in Grade B Hospital. The research tools used were 40 questionnaires where 20 were distributed to staff, 15 were successfully returned to the researcher, while 15 were distributed to patients who could read and write in English. Ten were successfully returned to the researcher. Lastly, 15 questionnaires, the researcher read out and explained to patients who could not read and write in English. Interview guide were as well 40 in total, where 15 sets were given to the staff and 25 were meant for patients who could read and write and those unable to read and write in English was catered for by the researcher. Lastly, focus group discussions were held, where 15 staff members were involved in the FGD, the selected number of patients with a positive change after counseling and treatment were 15, making a total number of 30 respondents both staff and patients.

In the findings, it was found out that approaches such as behavioral, psychodynamic and psychoanalysis, humanistic and existential psychotherapies approaches of counseling, plus the storytelling, interacting and cognitive approaches are used in the helping process. These approaches use techniques and skills, which are respect for clients, guidance/congruence, setting the structure and contract confidentiality as well as understanding human experience as focused on client rather than symptoms and psychological problems which enhance counseling as a treatment process. For example the cognitive approach is cited to be effective in treatment of panic disorder, sleeping disorder, drug addiction, and depression among others. Psychodynamic and psychoanalysis focus on helping clients to change problematic behavior, thoughts by discovering the unconscious meanings and motivations. On the other hand, humanistic and existential approaches of counseling are used when the focus is on patients’ self-fulfillment by helping people grow in self-awareness and self-acceptance , it focuses on the present and future more than their past. The patient's satisfaction of counseling is seen in the acceptance of referral for diagnosis, testing of HIV/AIDS and treatment, screening for cancer and treatment, plus their high adherence to treatment. It was noted that counselor's care and concern for patients, respect, welcoming attitude towards them when they come to the hospital, the counselors’ honesty, trustworthiness, empathy towards them, has provided healing and change in the patients. Also, encouragement to attend all counseling sessions and constant follow up by counselors is done among others.

Efficiency of counseling in Grade B Hospital is clearly revealed in a number of areas. It is portrayed when twenty (20) patients key informants males and females received a positive change such as psychological change in attitude, in the positive effect caused on their physical health where now they had less illnesses and disorders, a lasting change in their welfare, increased performance at home and at work, where they had more strength to work and hope to live, acceptance of self and self- responsibility expressed in their increase in self-esteem, decrease in stress levels and compulsive behaviors like alcoholism and other addictions. The recommendations given were, staff members should learn local languages to avoid language barrier, implement and follow all the principles and cord of ethics of counseling, often revise different books especially theories of counseling and if possible should go for further studies so that they are equipped, updated as well as have a variety of information on new techniques of counseling

Login to download()