Papers by Sahba Eftekhary
The Life of a Canadian Doula: Successes, Confusion, and Conflict
Journal of Obstetrics and Gynaecology Canada, 2010
Despite evidence that doulas improve maternal and newborn outcomes, some maternity care professio... more Despite evidence that doulas improve maternal and newborn outcomes, some maternity care professionals have had difficulty both in understanding the role of doulas and in accepting doulas as collaborators. We sought to examine the backgrounds, practices, and professional motivations of doulas and to understand their role and interactions with other maternity care providers. We conducted a postal survey of 212 Canadian doulas whose contact information was provided by DONA International. The main outcome measures of the survey were demographics, practices, motivations, perception of working environment, interactions with and acceptance by other maternity care providers, and overall work satisfaction. The most common reasons for becoming a doula were the desire to support women in childbirth, personal interest, and a wish to share their own positive birth experience with others. Only 21.7% described the doula role as a means of achieving personal financial support. Most respondents intended to continue doula work in the next five years. Doulas felt more accepted by midwives than other care providers. Most doulas reported no conflict with other maternity care providers, but on rare occasions, doulas had been excluded from attending birth by maternity care providers, hospital and/or administrative regulations, and rarely by a client. Almost all doulas (98.5%) rated their overall professional experience as good or excellent. Better recognition and respect from other providers significantly influenced doulas' satisfaction. This study helps clarify areas of possible conflict and obstacles that doulas may face in their work environment and in their interactions with other maternity care providers.
Journal of obstetrics and gynaecology Canada : JOGC = Journal d'obstétrique et gynécologie du Canada : JOGC, 2009
Collaborative, interdisciplinary care models have the potential to improve maternity care. Differ... more Collaborative, interdisciplinary care models have the potential to improve maternity care. Differing attitudes of maternity care providers may impede this process. We sought to examine the attitudes of Canadian maternity care practitioners towards labour and birth. We performed a cross-sectional web- and paper-based survey of 549 obstetricians, 897 family physicians (400 antepartum only, 497 intrapartum), 545 nurses, 400 midwives, and 192 doulas. Participants responded to 43 Likert-type attitudinal questions. Nine themes were identified: electronic fetal monitoring, epidural analgesia, episiotomy, doula roles, Caesarean section benefits, factors decreasing Caesarean section rates, maternal choice, fear of vaginal birth, and safety of birth mode and place. Obstetrician scores reflected positive attitudes towards use of technology, in contrast to midwives' and doulas' scores. Family physicians providing only antenatal care had attitudinal scores similar to obstetricians; famil...
Healthcare Policy | Politiques de Santé, 2010
Context: decisions in the organization of safe and effective rural maternity care are complex, di... more Context: decisions in the organization of safe and effective rural maternity care are complex, difficult, value laden and fraught with uncertainty, and must often be based on imperfect information. decision analysis offers tools for addressing these complexities in order to help decision-makers determine the best use of resources and to appreciate the downstream effects of their decisions. Objective: To develop a maternity care decision-making tool for the British Columbia Northern Health Authority (NH) for use in low birth volume settings. Design: Based on interviews with community members, providers, recipients and Development of a Support Tool for Complex Decision-Making in the Provision of Rural Maternity Care dAv I d Bu TC H E R , B s C , m d
CBC testing before physician assessment delays antibiotics in Emergency Febrile Neutropenia patients
... ACCEPTED: 1-9-2010 CONFLICT OF INTEREST: Ninguno ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS: The authors would like to ... more ... ACCEPTED: 1-9-2010 CONFLICT OF INTEREST: Ninguno ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS: The authors would like to thank Marko Katic, Sharon.Ramagnano, Darren Hefferon for their contributions to this publication. ... Acad Emerg Med. 2009;16:1-10. 7 Bramer GR. ...
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Papers by Sahba Eftekhary