This thesis addresses two important issues in midwifery: I) the care and support provided by midwives to women and their families facing vulnerable circumstances during pregnancy and childbirth, and II) the role and tasks of clinical midwives in Dutch hospitals.

Background: As our global population ages, malnutrition and sarcopenia are increasingly prevalent. Given the multifactorial nature of these conditions, effective management of (risk of) malnutrition and sarcopenia necessitates interprofessional collaboration (IPC). This study aimed to understand primary …

This study examines the reasons of people with dementia request euthanasia and how these reasons change over time with a special focus on reasons related to family. In addition, it examines how family relates to their loved one’s euthanasia wish. Seven people with dementia and a euthanasia wish in the …

Aim: To examine the motives of people with dementia who desire euthanasia with a special focus on reasons related to family or relationships. In addition we aim to assess how family of people with dementia experience their situation and responsibilities and how this might change.Method: Fourteen interviews …

Background: Due to the globally increasing demand for care, innovation is important to maintain quality, safety, effectiveness, patient sensitivity, and outcome orientation. Health care technologies could be a solution to innovate, maintain, or improve the quality of care and simultaneously decrease …

Challenges in keeping healthcare affordable make informal care increasingly important. It is essential to understand the context in which people provide informal care and gain insight into their wishes with regard to the division of care responsibilities. A total of 37 interviews and eight focus groups …

In recent years, Dutch authorities have attempted to shift from formal to informal care responsibilities to meet an increasing demand for care. There is a growing expectation that social and healthcare professionals will actively involve, support, and collaborate with partners, family members, and others …

BACKGROUND: Families are introduced as new partners in interprofessional communication and collaboration during hospitalisation of an adult patient. Their introduction into the healthcare team has consequences for the roles and responsibilities of all healthcare professionals. Role clarification is thus …

Introduction: Individuals working in the field of veterinary care are regularly affected by their profession. High levels of responsibility to often provide life-saving health care to animals combined with having to manage owners' expectations and irregular working hours can cause considerable levels …

Objective Assess improvable care factors in late preterm mortality, defined as death of a child during labour or in the first 28 days thereafter between 32 + 0 and 36 + 6 weeks gestation, in the Netherlands. Design Perinatal audit has been coordinated and supported at the national level, with selection …