This was a qualitative study, the design of which was based on ideas from the grounded theory approach to data collection and analysis. The study examined the concept of human needs from the perspectives of individuals who have an ileostomy or a colostomy and attempted to ascertain their evaluation of the way in which their needs were fulfilled during the time they spent in hospital. Respondents consisted of a convenience sample of six individuals who had recent experience of surgery involving the formation of a stoma. Data were collected through unstructured, non-directive interviews. Analysis of data involved identification of themes and categories that emerged from the transcripts of the interviews. Findings indicated that while individuals' physical needs were met, their psychological and sociocultural needs were not identified. This seems to imply that nurses may not be aware of the relevance of these needs to individuals who have an ileostomy or a colostomy. Since respondents identified the existence of a good relationship with nurses as being conducive to the fulfillment of these needs, it could be inferred that nurses may lack the skills that are necessary to develop a good relationship with those who are in their care.

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Personal control is a central feature of women's involvement in their childbirth experiences. To achieve this control tacit rules and guidelines are applied to define how women and the professionals who care for them should behave. This study investigated the extent to which women exercised control in pain relief during the first stage of labour by comparing (a) the rules which they held prior to childbirth (2-3 cm cervical dilatation) with those which they afterwards felt applied to their labour and (b) the rules held by the women before and after childbirth with those held by the midwives. In a quantitative study using a repeated measures design, a questionnaire was administered to 35 midwives and to 100 women prior to and within 24 hours following their delivery. Consistency of the women's scores before and after childbirth, indicated by few statistically significant differences, tended to confirm their rules on control of pain relief. Some of the rules were held even more strongly following childbirth. A surprising finding was the even stronger agreement by midwives with some of the rules. There was a definite trend for many of the rules held by the women prior to childbirth to increase following birth towards those of the midwives. This could be the result of the experience of childbirth per se but the possibility that it was contributed to by the influence of the midwives cannot be ruled out and warrants further research. An interesting hierarchy in the rules for compliance with professional care has been highlighted.

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