Researcher/participant matching has been used in nursing research as a strategy for the development of culturally competent knowledge. In this manuscript, the complexities inherent in matching in nursing research are discussed. In raising and discussing issues and questions related to matching, we argue that although matching may be one of the strategies used to generate culturally competent knowledge, it is frequently too complex for operationalization. Therefore, we propose that researchers reflect on questions related to their knowledge of culture, their cultural sensitivity, and the nature of collaboration during every phase of the research. Reflecting on and responding to these questions in every research project may facilitate the development of more culturally competent knowledge.
The importance of understanding consumer perceptions of services is widely acknowledged and becoming more relevant in health care, as attempts to incorporate users’ views into service development and evaluation are increasing. This study focused on women’s responses to their recent experience of maternity care, and sought to gain insight into the service features they associated with negative and positive reactions. Postal questionnaires were sent to antenatal and postnatal women. Two open questions invited women to note if any aspects of their care had particularly impressed or bothered them. There was variation in the factors identified through the different phases of the service ‐ antenatal, labour and postnatal care. However, staff attitudes were a main source of positive comments throughout the service, and lack of information and poor explanations were a consistent source of negative responses. Providing consumers with an opportunity to give feedback on their service experience should be based on issues which are relevant to them, not just on those which are measurable.
The report of the International Conference on Population and Development (Cairo Action Document) was sponsored by 180 national governments and 1,200 nongovernmental organizations during the United Nations' conference on women, population, and development in Cairo, Egypt 1994. Many international conferences preceded the one in Cairo but it was there that women participated at an unprecedented level in shaping the debate. The resulting document represents a quantum leap for women's health. Nurses can play a major role in using the principles in the Cairo Action Document by empowering women and enhancing their health care. To invite dialogue, the authors provide an analysis of the Cairo Plan from a nursing perspective and identify three paradoxes that may hinder progress: Universal values and local cultures, global policy and local implementation, and national development and women's empowerment. Clinicians, scholars, and members of professional organizations are asked to consider the assumptions that underlie the recommendations for action and to propose ways to resolve the problems that may evolve during implementation.
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