Do women want women health workers? Women's views of the primary health care service.

Abstract

This paper sets out to explore key aspects of women's views of women GPs and practice nurses within primary health care settings. The extent to which women actively seek female health workers for the provision of their primary health care needs, including preventive health care, is examined. The findings presented in this paper are from a 3-year research project employing both quantitative and qualitative methods, which aimed to develop an understanding of the role women primary health care workers play in the construction and provision of primary health care services for women. The findings indicate that for specific 'women's health issues' the gender of the worker is clearly important for women. However, for other health needs factors such as the personal approach of the provider become paramount. Consideration of the role of the practice nurse suggests that there is considerable potential for practice nurses to further develop a specific role with women. Although lack of awareness among women of nursing skills and expertise raises issues for the presentation of the role of the practice nurse within the primary health care service. In conclusion the paper highlights that women's views should be understood in terms of a complex range of preferences and needs.