Understanding the social organisation of maternity care systems: Midwifery as a touchstone

Authors: Benoit, C., Wrede, S., Bourgeault, I., Sandall, J., De Vries, R. and Van Teijlingen, E.R.

Journal: Sociology of Health and Illness

Volume: 27

Issue: 6

Pages: 722-737

eISSN: 1467-9566

ISSN: 0141-9889

DOI: 10.1111/j.1467-9566.2005.00471.x

Abstract:

Theories of professions and healthcare organisation have difficulty in explaining variation in the organisation of maternity services across developed welfare states. Four countries - the United Kingdom, Finland, the Netherlands and Canada - serve as our case examples. While sharing several features, including political and economic systems, publicly-funded universal healthcare and favourable health outcomes, these countries nevertheless have distinct maternity care systems. We use the profession of midwifery, found in all four countries, as a 'touchstone' for exploring the sources of this diversity. Our analysis focuses on three key dimensions: (1) welfare state approaches to legalising midwifery and negotiating the role of the midwife in the division of labour; (2) professional boundaries in the maternity care domain; and (3) consumer mobilisation in support of midwifery and around maternity issues. © Blackwell Publishing Ltd/Foundation for the Sociology of Health & Illness 2005. Published by Blackwell Publishing.

Source: Scopus

Understanding the social organisation of maternity care systems: midwifery as a touchstone.

Authors: Benoit, C., Wrede, S., Bourgeault, I., Sandall, J., De Vries, R. and van Teijlingen, E.R.

Journal: Sociol Health Illn

Volume: 27

Issue: 6

Pages: 722-737

ISSN: 0141-9889

DOI: 10.1111/j.1467-9566.2005.00471.x

Abstract:

Theories of professions and healthcare organisation have difficulty in explaining variation in the organisation of maternity services across developed welfare states. Four countries - the United Kingdom, Finland, the Netherlands and Canada - serve as our case examples. While sharing several features, including political and economic systems, publicly-funded universal healthcare and favourable health outcomes, these countries nevertheless have distinct maternity care systems. We use the profession of midwifery, found in all four countries, as a 'touchstone' for exploring the sources of this diversity. Our analysis focuses on three key dimensions: (1) welfare state approaches to legalising midwifery and negotiating the role of the midwife in the division of labour; (2) professional boundaries in the maternity care domain; and (3) consumer mobilisation in support of midwifery and around maternity issues.

Source: PubMed

Understanding the social organisation of maternity care systems: midwifery as a touchstone

Authors: Benoit, C., Wrede, S., Bourgeault, I., Sandall, J., De Vries, R. and van Teijlingen, E.R.

Journal: SOCIOLOGY OF HEALTH & ILLNESS

Volume: 27

Issue: 6

Pages: 722-737

eISSN: 1467-9566

ISSN: 0141-9889

DOI: 10.1111/j.1467-9566.2005.00471.x

Source: Web of Science (Lite)

Understanding the social organisation of maternity care systems: Midwifery as a Touchstone

Authors: Benoit, C., Wrede, S., Bourgeault, I.L., Sandall, J., DeVries, R. and van Teijlingen, E.

Journal: Sociology of Health & Illness

Volume: 27

Pages: 722-737

ISSN: 0141-9889

DOI: 10.1111/j.1467-9566.2005.00471.x

Abstract:

Theories of professions and healthcare organisation have difficulty in explaining variation in the organisation of maternity services across developed welfare states. Four countries – the United Kingdom, Finland, the Netherlands and Canada – serve as our case examples. While sharing several features, including political and economic systems, publicly-funded universal healthcare and favourable health outcomes, these countries nevertheless have distinct maternity care systems. We use the profession of midwifery, found in all four countries, as a ‘touchstone’ for exploring the sources of this diversity. Our analysis focuses on three key dimensions: (1) welfare state approaches to legalising midwifery and negotiating the role of the midwife in the division of labour; (2) professional boundaries in the maternity care domain; and (3) consumer mobilisation in support of midwifery and around maternity issues.

Source: Manual

Preferred by: Edwin van Teijlingen

Understanding the social organisation of maternity care systems: midwifery as a touchstone.

Authors: Benoit, C., Wrede, S., Bourgeault, I., Sandall, J., De Vries, R. and van Teijlingen, E.R.

Journal: Sociology of health & illness

Volume: 27

Issue: 6

Pages: 722-737

eISSN: 1467-9566

ISSN: 0141-9889

DOI: 10.1111/j.1467-9566.2005.00471.x

Abstract:

Theories of professions and healthcare organisation have difficulty in explaining variation in the organisation of maternity services across developed welfare states. Four countries - the United Kingdom, Finland, the Netherlands and Canada - serve as our case examples. While sharing several features, including political and economic systems, publicly-funded universal healthcare and favourable health outcomes, these countries nevertheless have distinct maternity care systems. We use the profession of midwifery, found in all four countries, as a 'touchstone' for exploring the sources of this diversity. Our analysis focuses on three key dimensions: (1) welfare state approaches to legalising midwifery and negotiating the role of the midwife in the division of labour; (2) professional boundaries in the maternity care domain; and (3) consumer mobilisation in support of midwifery and around maternity issues.

Source: Europe PubMed Central