A case study of primary health care practice in a selected urban area in South Africa.

This paper describes a study where a case study approach using reflective critical social theory was adopted to describe the role and function of a urban PHC practitioner and to explore the praxis (ie. the underlying personal beliefs, values and philosophy) of the practitioner. The analytic interpretation was to reflect what it is like (and why this is so), to be an urban PHCP in a rapidly changing country. The study used qualitative measures and reflective strategies to explore with the PHCP the underlying philosophies, values and beliefs that guide her practice. The aim was to provide the practitioner with the opportunity to reflect on practice by focussing on day to day experience. The results of this study suggest that the practitioner is using a PHC framework during practice and participates in community development.