Thesis (Ph. D.)--Kent State University, 2004. / Title from PDF title page (viewed on Apr. 27, 2006). Includes bibliographical references (p. 175-209).

This study sought to explore and describe the perceptions and beliefs of physicians about adherence to antiretroviral treatment by patients in the South-East district of Botswana. The Health Belief Model (Naidoo & Willis 2003:222) was adapted to suit and be used in the study. A descriptive, exploratory qualitative design was used. Unstructured interviews and unstructured observation data collection methods were applied. Informed consent was obtained prior to data collection. For triangulation purposes, observations were done following interviews, and data analysis was done by two different people. The findings of the study revealed that the perceptions and beliefs of treating physicians contributed towards adherence. Physicians perceived adherence as an important aspect in the success of antiretroviral treatment. Giving patients correct information, personal motivation, patients' understanding of treatment, traditional and religious beliefs were among other factors perceived by physicians to be impacting on adherence. / Health Studies / M.A. (Public Health)

The purpose of this study was to investigate and describe the experience of infertility of African women, men and family member. It is hoped that this description will contribute to a deeper understanding of the psychosocial difficulties involved in the area of infertility and ofthe ways in which people respond to the situation of infertility. A qualitative research approach was used, and in particular social constructivist-interpretive research and feminist research approaches. The sample consisted of39 participants: 19 women, 10 men, and 10 family members faced with infertility. The research orientation was field-based, concerned with collecting data using the technique of in-depth semi-structured interviews. Each participant was interviewed individually. The interviews were recorded on tape, transcribed in their full length and translated into English. Data were analysed on the basis of the interpretive feminist approach. Analysis of individual cases and crosscase analysis were employed. The findings suggested a contextual definition of infertility, for example, for some, having had an ectopic pregnancy or a miscarriage meant that they did not fit into the definition of infertility. The findings revealed that for many African women and men, blood ties still defined the family and the persona. Thus, failure to have a blood child resulted in courtship and marital break up, extramarital relationships, polygamy, and divorce and remarriage. Infertility had serious psychosocial consequences for both the infertile individuals and their families. Participants experienced repeated periods of existential crisis, which began at different points for different participants. Analysis of gender differences indicated similarities in the experience of the crisis, but differences in terms of expression and ways of responding to the crisis. Family dynamics within the context of infertility were coloured by ambivalent feelings, resentment, insensitivity, and miscommunication, but also affection, and social support. Traditional and modern medical health systems offered the possibility of finding explanations and treatment, but there was further strain from the negative experiences with the health care system. The findings in this study suggested the need for policy reformulation, for psychosocial intervention as part of the treatment plan, and for future research on the outcome of using various coping strategies. / Psychology / D. Phil. (Psychology)

A presente dissertação investiga os direitos dos pacientes diante dos avanços das novas terapias que, além de tratar e curar as patologias, aprimoram a qualidade e a esperança de vida das pessoas e que, além disso, podem servir para estender a vida artificialmente. Propõe-se estudar as interfaces entre o respeito à dignidade da pessoa humana preconizando-se a adoção de cuidados paliativos ao indivíduo como forma de humanizar a assistência ao paciente em final de vida. Interligando a bioética às polêmicas atuais sobre o início e fim da vida questiona-se sobre o dever do médico de tratamento e assistência frente à necessidade de respeito à autonomia do paciente, diante de uma informação clara e precisa, pois o doente possui todo o direito de autodeterminar-se da forma que julgar mais conveniente a seus próprios interesses. Pretende-se com este trabalho proporcionar uma maior reflexão acerca da temática, considerando-a essencial para uma melhoria da qualidade de vida da população, já que aborda uma fase inevitável para todo o ser humano seu processo de adoecimento aliado a todas as interfaces cotidianas, hoje evidenciadas pela própria bioética. / Submitted by Marcelo Teixeira (mvteixeira@ucs.br) on 2014-05-28T16:20:55Z No. of bitstreams: 1 Dissertacao Tanise Zago Thomasi.pdf: 497861 bytes, checksum: 5694c2859b67c71a912bff299372de87 (MD5) / Made available in DSpace on 2014-05-28T16:20:55Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 1 Dissertacao Tanise Zago Thomasi.pdf: 497861 bytes, checksum: 5694c2859b67c71a912bff299372de87 (MD5) / This present dissertation investigates the rights of patients in front of the advances in new therapies, besides treat and cure pathology improve the quality and expectancy of people´s life, but, on the other hand can serve to artificially extend the life. Propose to study the interfaces between the respect of human dignity recommending the adoption of palliative care to the individual as a way of humanizing the patient care at the end of life. Connecting the current bioethical controversies of the beginning and end of life, ask about the duty of the doctor for treatment and assistance in front of the need to respect the autonomy of the patient with a clear and precise information because the patient has the right to decide the way it considers most appropriate to their own interests. Intent with this assignment provide a large reflection on the subject matter, because conclude that is essential to improve quality of life, since it is an inevitable stage in every human life - the process of illness associated with all interfaces daily, today highlighted by the bioethics.

A presente dissertação investiga os direitos dos pacientes diante dos avanços das novas terapias que, além de tratar e curar as patologias, aprimoram a qualidade e a esperança de vida das pessoas e que, além disso, podem servir para estender a vida artificialmente. Propõe-se estudar as interfaces entre o respeito à dignidade da pessoa humana preconizando-se a adoção de cuidados paliativos ao indivíduo como forma de humanizar a assistência ao paciente em final de vida. Interligando a bioética às polêmicas atuais sobre o início e fim da vida questiona-se sobre o dever do médico de tratamento e assistência frente à necessidade de respeito à autonomia do paciente, diante de uma informação clara e precisa, pois o doente possui todo o direito de autodeterminar-se da forma que julgar mais conveniente a seus próprios interesses. Pretende-se com este trabalho proporcionar uma maior reflexão acerca da temática, considerando-a essencial para uma melhoria da qualidade de vida da população, já que aborda uma fase inevitável para todo o ser humano seu processo de adoecimento aliado a todas as interfaces cotidianas, hoje evidenciadas pela própria bioética. / This present dissertation investigates the rights of patients in front of the advances in new therapies, besides treat and cure pathology improve the quality and expectancy of people´s life, but, on the other hand can serve to artificially extend the life. Propose to study the interfaces between the respect of human dignity recommending the adoption of palliative care to the individual as a way of humanizing the patient care at the end of life. Connecting the current bioethical controversies of the beginning and end of life, ask about the duty of the doctor for treatment and assistance in front of the need to respect the autonomy of the patient with a clear and precise information because the patient has the right to decide the way it considers most appropriate to their own interests. Intent with this assignment provide a large reflection on the subject matter, because conclude that is essential to improve quality of life, since it is an inevitable stage in every human life - the process of illness associated with all interfaces daily, today highlighted by the bioethics.

This study aimed at exploring chronic illness from both the perspectives of the patient, living with the illness and the professional, treating the illness. The epistemological framework is social constructionism. Qualitative research was selected as the research approach. Three in-depth interviews with three patients, suffering with a chronic illness were conducted, as well as three interviews with professionals, who had experience with patients diagnosed with chronic illnesses. Thematic analysis was the method used for the analysis of data. The stories of the participants were reconstructed in terms of themes. A comparative analysis for both participants groups was done, and linked to the relevant literature This study created an understanding of the complexity of chronic illness. The themes identified, highlighted the importance of the patient-professional relationship, specifically in the context of chronic illness. / Psychology / M.A. (Clinical Psychology)

This study addresses the effectiveness of communication between the team (doctors, sisters and social workers) and patients at the Breast Cancer Clinic of the Johannesburg Hospital. Tue needs of patients were highlighted, as well as the role of care-giver, both as a group and in their separate disciplines, in attempting to meet these needs. Tue empirical survey was carried out through the use of questionnaires as well as interview schedules. Patients, doctors, nurses and social workers were used as respondents. Results indicated that the majority of patients' needs for information and support were met by the team in general; however, a need for further social work intervention seemed to be apparent. In addition, several barriers were found to inhibit both team-patient and inter-team communication. Tue researcher used the information gathered in this study to make recommendations that will facilitate improved communication in the clinic, with specific reference to the role of the social worker. / Social Work / M.A.(Social Science: Mental Health)

This research examines the relationship between health literacy among End Stage Renal Disease (ESRD) patients and its relevance for communication between patients and providers. The study was conducted among dialysis services providers at the Good Samaritan Dialysis Center and dialysis patients receiving care at the Center. Data collection techniques included individual interviews, surveys, and the Short Test of Functional Health Literacy in Adults (S-TOFHLA), which measured the health literacy level of the participants. The results of the study show that a large majority of the patients have "adequate" health literacy, which contradicts the provider's perceptions of the patient's ability to comprehend health information. Provider's perspectives are shaped by their training and work environment. The study suggests that structural barriers and communication issues impede effective patient-provider interactions. This issue is especially serious for those chronic disease patients who have limited self-management skills. / Graduation date: 2012

Mental health care in South Africa has long been governed by inequalities (Foster & Swartz, 1997). During apartheid, those who did not speak English and Afrikaans could not access mental health services in the same way as those who did (Foster & Swartz, 1997). One main reason for this is the majority of mental health practitioners could not, and were not required to speak languages other than English and Afrikaans (Swartz, 1991). The South African mental health literature suggests that language and communication must be prioritised if there is to be an improvement in mental health care services for those individuals who do not speak English and Afrikaans (Bantjes, 1999; Drennan & Swartz, 1999; Swartz & Drennan, 2000; Swartz & MacGregor, 2002). Drawing on Prasad's (2002) interpretation of Gadamer's critical hermeneutic theory and utilising thematic networks analysis (Attride-Stirling, 2001), this study investigated the process of translated clinical assessment interviews within a psychiatric hospital in the Eastern Cape Province within South Africa. Results of the study revealed that contextual factors, issues concerning linguistic and cultural heritage, clinicians' role expectations regarding translators' role performance, as well as relational dynamics regarding individual levels of control and influence within the translation triad, all impacted on the effectiveness of communication, translation and service provision. These fmdings are supported by literature on the theory and practice of translation that identifies these issues as prominent (Robinson, 2003). Specific recommendations regarding the formalisation of translation practices within the hospital setting, as well as the familiari~ation of clinical practitioners and psychiatric nurses with the intricacies of translation processes are offered.

This study aimed at exploring chronic illness from both the perspectives of the patient, living with the illness and the professional, treating the illness. The epistemological framework is social constructionism. Qualitative research was selected as the research approach. Three in-depth interviews with three patients, suffering with a chronic illness were conducted, as well as three interviews with professionals, who had experience with patients diagnosed with chronic illnesses. Thematic analysis was the method used for the analysis of data. The stories of the participants were reconstructed in terms of themes. A comparative analysis for both participants groups was done, and linked to the relevant literature This study created an understanding of the complexity of chronic illness. The themes identified, highlighted the importance of the patient-professional relationship, specifically in the context of chronic illness. / Psychology / M.A. (Clinical Psychology)