Patient perspectives on service : a case study of the St. John's family planning clinic

• Main Author: Johnson, May R. (May Railton)
• Format: Thesis
• Language: English
• Published: Memorial University of Newfoundland 1979
• Subjects: Newfoundland
• Online Access: https://research.library.mun.ca/7664/; https://research.library.mun.ca/7664/1/Johnson_MayRailton.pdf; https://research.library.mun.ca/7664/3/Johnson_MayRailton.pdf

The primary objectives of this study are to determine patient perceptions of clinical service and needs for family planning. The need to focus on these perspectives derived from an examination of the International and National Family Planning programs. A summary of these programs is presented, and the history of the development of birth control and the family planning clinic in St. John's is discussed. -- The data was collected from one hundred and forty-two women who came into the family planning clinic in St. John's seeking family planning services. Each of these patients agreed to participate in an informal interview and consented to fill out a formal questionnaire which focused on specific areas such as clinic accessibility, atmosphere of service, patient expectations of service, convenience of hours, and professional expertise of service given. -- Case histories and statements given by the patient were used to illustrate types of problems encountered by them in obtaining medical services. The role of the male, discussed in the counselling section, established the need for including the male in family planning but points out the fact that until very recently little thought has been given to providing a role to the male in family planning. -- Lastly, the viability of the medical model as compared with the client-centered model in providing a clinical family planning approach is discussed. Traditionally, most clinics follow a medical model. Because of the importance and time spent in the counselling role, a dual-model of family planning service is proposed. This consists of a medical model for the technological aspect of family planning and a client-centered model for the counselling and patient's psychological and emotional needs. -- Recommendations for changes and directions in approaching family planning policy and service in Newfoundland are suggested. Included in these is the need for Newfoundland/Labrador to establish a provincial policy to allow for long range planning in the field of family planning.