Assoc Prof Dr. Kholofelo Matlhaba | Health Science Education | Best Researcher Award.
University of South Africa,South Africa
Professional Profiles:
👨🎓 Bio Summary:
Assoc Prof Dr. Kholofelo Lorraine Matlhaba is a distinguished academic in Health Sciences Education, specializing in Nursing and Public Health. She currently serves as an Associate Professor at the University of South Africa (UNISA), where she supervises Masters and Doctoral candidates. Dr. Matlhaba has extensive experience in nursing education and clinical competence development, contributing significantly to academic and professional nursing communities in South Africa.
🎓 Education:
Dr. Matlhaba earned her PhD in Health Sciences with Nursing Science from North-West University in 2020, focusing on developing an evaluation tool for clinical competence of community service nurses in North West, South Africa. She holds a Master of Nursing Science (2016) from the same institution, with a thesis on professional nurses’ perceptions of problem-based learning trained students. Additionally, she completed her Bachelor of Nursing Science (Education and Administration) in 2011 and an Advanced University Diploma in Health Service Management in 2008, both from North-West University. Her foundational nursing education was completed at Empilweni Nursing College with a Diploma in General Nursing in 2006.
🔍 Research Focus:
Dr. Matlhaba’s research is centered on clinical competence, nursing education, and the use of digital technology in nursing training. She has explored the perceptions of professional nurses on problem-based learning, the transition of graduate nurses from student to practice, and the impact of digital technology on clinical learning. Her work also includes studying healthcare management and the psychosocial support of vulnerable populations, such as orphaned children with HIV/AIDS.
🏆 Honors & Awards:
Dr. Matlhaba has been recognized for her contributions to nursing education and research. She completed the Post-doctoral incubation program offered by UNISA’s Office of Research & Graduate Studies in 2020/21. She has also received training as an Ethics Ambassador and holds certifications in Assessor and Moderator training, among other professional development programs.
Professional Experience: 💼
Dr. Matlhaba has been an integral part of UNISA since 2018, progressing from Lecturer to Senior Lecturer, and currently, Associate Professor. Her responsibilities include supervising Masters and Doctoral students and leading curriculum development. Prior to UNISA, she served as a Lecturer at Mmabatho College of Nursing and Thuto Bophelo Nursing Academy, where she coordinated various nursing programs. Her early career involved clinical nursing at Tembisa Hospital, where she worked in different wards and disciplines.
Community service nurses’ experiences regarding their clinical competence
Authors: KL Matlhaba, AJ Pienaar, LA Sehularo
Journal: Health SA Gesondheid
Volume: 24
Issue: 20
Year: 2019
Transition of graduate nurses from student to practice during the COVID-19 pandemic: Integrative review
Authors: KL Matlhaba, SH Khunou
Journal: International Journal of Africa Nursing Sciences
Volume: 17
Page: 100501
Year: 2022
Professional nurses’ perceptions regarding clinical competence of community service nurses in North West province, South Africa
Authors: KL Matlhaba, AJ Pienaar, LA Sehularo
Journal: Health SA Gesondheid
Volume: 26
Issue: 5
Year: 2021
Evaluating the current management approach of scabies at selected primary health care in the Deder district, Ethiopia
Authors: SC Jira, KL Matlhaba, DD Mphuthi
Journal: Heliyon
Volume: 9
Issue: 1
Year: 2023
Perceptions of professional nurses on clinical competence of problem-based learning trained students in North-West Province, South Africa
Author: KL Matlhaba
Thesis, North-West University (South Africa), Mafikeng Campus
Year: 2016
Author Metrics 📊 :
Dr. Matlhaba’s scholarly impact is reflected in her Google Scholar h-index and citations. Her work on clinical competence and nursing education has garnered significant attention, contributing to her reputation as a leading researcher in her field.
📅 Research Timeline:
2024: Factors influencing clinical competence of new graduate nurses; Nurse educators’ perceptions regarding online education.
2023: Studies on healthcare users’ knowledge of scabies management; benefits and challenges of digital technology in clinical learning; patients’ preferences for delivering bad news in palliative care.
2022: Psychosocial support for orphaned children with HIV/AIDS; understanding learning needs to enhance clinical competence.
2021: Validation of a clinical competence evaluation tool; professional nurses’ perceptions of community service nurses’ clinical competence.
2020: Converging perceptions and experiences regarding clinical competence during community service placement.
2019: Community service nurses’ experiences regarding their clinical competence.