Typescript. / Thesis (Ph. D.)--University of Hawaii at Manoa, 1975. / Bibliography: leaves 129-138. / xii, 138 leaves ill. (some col.)

Typescript. / Thesis (Ph. D.)--University of Hawaii at Manoa, 1975. / Bibliography: leaves [123]-133. / xi, 133 leaves ill. (some col.), maps

Typescript. Bibliography: leaves 218-228.

Typescript. Bibliography: leaves [121]-125.

Thesis (M.S.)--University of Hawaii at Manoa, 2006. / Includes bibliographical references. / ix, 91 leaves, bound ill. (some col.) 29 cm

Thesis (M.S.)--University of Hawaii at Manoa, 2006. / Includes bibliographical references (leaves 44-45). / vi, 45 leaves, bound ill. (some col.) 29 cm

Thesis (M.S.)--University of Hawaii at Manoa, 2006. / Includes bibliographical references (leaves 93-97). / xi, 138 leaves, bound ill. 29 cm

Thesis (M.S.)--University of Hawaii at Manoa, 2007. / Includes bibliographical references (leaves 51-62). / viii, 62 leaves, bound 29 cm

Spirituality is a subject of growing interest and relevance in health care. Yet, very little research has been done relating to health and spirituality in general, and even less research specifically relating to midwifery, childbirth, and spirituality. The purpose of this study was to describe the essential structure of the lived experiences of midwives who said they have experienced the phenomenon of spirituality when they have attended childbirths. The research design was descriptive, using a transcendental phenomenological approach reflected in Clark Moustakas' model. Purposive and snowball sampling were used to recruit the sample of 10 female certified nurse- midwives. The major findings of this study consisted of five Theme Categories: Belief in the Existence of a Higher Power, The Essence of Spirituality, Birth is Spiritual, The Essence of Midwifery, and Relationships. The results added new knowledge from the themes described in all five of the theme categories. The midwives interviewed for this study validate the assumption that spirituality is an integral and essential component of childbirth. The midwives described in detail, what the meaning of spirituality was for them, how they had experienced it, how it affected their personal lives, their practices, and their calling to midwifery. The midwives had experienced spirituality when attending childbirth, and used elements of spirituality as instruments that helped them to assist their patients. Spirituality also helped to foster the relationships between the midwives and the birthing families. The midwives revealed their dependence on spirituality and a belief in a Higher Being who guided their lives and their work as midwives.

The use oftelehealth in individual's homes is increasing in the United States in an effort to cut cost by limiting admissions to hospitals and/or reduce length of stay. This increase has not been driven by conclusive research findings in support of this technology; furthermore, the majority of research conducted has been in the area of chronic disease management. It is important to expand the knowledge base related to transitioning from an acute illness in the home with telehealth from the individual's perspective. Due to the lack of empirical data available, phenomenology was used to explore the individual's perceptions in the use of this new health care delivery model. In exploring this new phenomenon, eidetic phenomenology was used to capture the essential structure of the lived experience as told by individuals who had been enrolled in a pilot quantitative telehealth study over the past two years. The purpose of this study was to describe the "lived experience" of individuals with acute infections transitioning in the home with support by an advance practice nurse (APN) using telehealth in an effort to avoid a hospitalization or to promote an earlier discharge. Purposeful sampling was used to enroll the sample often participants. Major findings of this study consisted of three Theme Categories: Initial Response, Engaging in Care, and Experiencing the Downside. The essential structure as it relates to the health/illness transition that occurs when an individual with an acute infection is discharged from the hospital to the home supported by telehealth technology revealed an overall positive experience from the ten participants. There was one negative experience in a participant who had two separate telehealth enrollments. This knowledge adds valuable information to future health care providers from the individual's perspective as it relates to understanding the transitional process that occurs with an acute illness from the hospital to the home with support by an APN using telehealth.