The World Health Organization (WHO) states that no region in the world is justified in having a caesarean section rate greater than 10-15 percent, calculated as the number of caesarean deliveries over the total number of live births. There is however, an international increase in the rate of caesarean section deliveries and this is a concern to midwives. The increase is evident in South Africa as well. Currently the rate of caesarean section deliveries in the private sector can be as high as 70 percent per total number of live births per year. As a result, the public often perceives giving birth surgically in South Africa as ‘normal’ and ‘safer’ than vaginal delivery, even for low-risk pregnancies. The lack of involvement of midwives in the care of pregnant women in the private sector is indicated as one of the reasons related to the high caesarean section delivery rates. This motivated the researcher to undertake a study to explore and describe the perceptions of private sector midwives and obstetricians regarding the feasibility of collaboration in maternity care. A literature review to support the study identified research done previously regarding collaborative maternity care. The study followed a qualitative, exploratory, descriptive, contextual design. The research population included midwives and obstetricians in the private sector in the Eastern Cape. Non-probability, purposive sampling was used. The researcher conducted semi-structured one-to-one interviews to collect information rich data. The researcher ensured that the study was conducted in an ethical manner by adhering to ethical principles such as autonomy, non-maleficence, beneficence and justice. The interviews were transcribed and Creswell’s’ data analysis spiral was used as a guide for the data analysis. Themes and sub-themes were identified and grouped together to form new categories. An independent coder assisted with the coding process. Data analysis results revealed the following results Participants perceived a collaborative working relationship as being beneficial to maternity care. Participants identified that there might be critical impediments that need to be faced in order to realize collaborative maternity care. The researcher ensured the validity of the study by conforming to Lincoln and Guba’s model of trustworthiness, which consists of the following four criteria namely credibility, transferability, dependability and conformability. The information obtained from this study assisted in developing guidelines to facilitate the implementation of collaborative maternity care between midwives and obstetricians in private practice in South Africa. The objective of the study was thus met.

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A national study of clinical dietitians was undertaken to determine: (1) current clinical activities performed, (2) techniques used to influence physicians and (3) level of confidence for successfully influencing physicians in seven areas of practice. Questionnaires were received from 458 (77%) of the dietitians. Data indicate dietitians are less likely to participate on patient care teams and attend medical/surgical rounds, but more likely to check meal trays than their 1982 counterparts. Factor analysis of clinical activities revealed three postures: diet oriented, physician oriented and case oriented. Factor analysis of the influence techniques, identified five postures: block/threaten, ingratiation, coalitions, assertive and the most used posture, rationality. Multiple regression analysis found associations between age and education and the use of rationality and ingratiating postures and between age and the assertive posture. Frequency analysis of confidence levels found dietitians most confident influencing the physician in the area of food consistency modification and least confident in nutritional laboratory data.

Thesis (M.S.W.)--University of Hong Kong, 1976. / Includes bibliographical references (leaves 56-59) Also available in print.

Title from PDF of title page (University of Missouri--Columbia, viewed on Feb 25, 2010). The entire thesis text is included in the research.pdf file; the official abstract appears in the short.pdf file; a non-technical public abstract appears in the public.pdf file. Dissertation advisor: Dr. Debra Oliver. Vita. Includes bibliographical references.

Thesis (MEdPsig)--University of Stellenbosch, 2007. / Bibliography. Also available via the Internet.

Thesis (Ph. D.)--Rutgers University, 2009. / "Graduate Program in Communication, Information and Library Studies." Includes bibliographical references (p. 187-196).

Thesis (M Ed (Educational Psychology))--University of Pretoria, 2004. / Includes bibliographical references.

Future health professionals are often educated with other students of their same discipline when, in practice, they will be working with professionals from other backgrounds to provide care for the patient. Complex issues of ethical concern are common to health professionals due to modern technology. This paper describes the evolution of an interprofessional bioethics course that had a unique combination of students and faculty. Innovative teaching methods were utilized and continuously refined based on student evaluations. Students commonly cited the interprofessional interactions as the most enjoyable part of the learning experience. Establishing a patient-centered focus and an appreciation of the contributions of other disciplines, students learned how to apply ethical decision-making to real cases. At the conclusion of the course, students reported improved attitudes toward interprofessional teamwork. This course format and teaching techniques may be applied at other universities looking for linkages to encourage consistent interprofessional collaboration across disciplines.

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