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Table 3 Main characteristics of included studies

From: Contested professional role boundaries in health care: a systematic review of the literature

Authors

Overview

Country

Study type

Setting

Professions involved

Bach et al. 2012 [4]

Looks at boundary work undertaken by registered nurses and health care assistants (HCAs) working in two National Health Service (NHS) Trusts

UK

Qualitative research using data from 60 semi-structured interviews

Two different hospitals

34 HCAs and 26 Registered Nurses, including senior nurses and sisters

Martin et al. 2009 [29]

Looks at micro-level professional jurisdiction negotiations between GPs with special interest (GPSI) in genetics and clinical geneticists

UK

Qualitative research using data from 34 in-depth interviews with GPSIs, clinical geneticists and other key stakeholders

Four different genetics clinics included in a pilot program

GPSI, clinical geneticists, managers and other staff working in the field of clinical genetics at the pilot sites

McIntyre et al. 2012 [30]

Analysis of the perspectives of the prominent service providers in maternity care on proposed service reforms

Australia

Critical discourse analysis; data obtained by 24 selected submissions to the maternity services review in 2008

Not specified

Professional associations including obstetrics, midwifery, rural doctors, GPs, academic institutions, women’s health networks, hospitals and the Australian Medical Association

Norris 2001 [31]

Looks at micro-level boundary work undertaken by a large range of orthodox and alternative practitioners treating musculo-skeletal pathologies.

New Zealand

Qualitative research drawing data from semi-structured interviews with 83 treatment providers and 13 professional associations

Interviews took place mainly in the workplaces of the interview participants

Seven medical specialists, 17 GPs, 17 physiotherapists, eight chiropractors, osteopaths and massage therapists, four acupuncturists, two Alexander technique practitioners, podiatrists, psychologists and beauty therapists (massage)

Salhani and Coulter 2009 [32]

Explores the micro-political struggles within an interprofessional mental health team working in a mood disorder unit. Focuses on politics and power, with an emphasis on nursing’s professional project.

Canada

Qualitative research using an ethnographic approach. Data obtained by intensive observation of the interprofessional team while at work, formal interviews with unit staff and review of relevant documents

A mood disorder unit in a metro psychiatric hospital

Interviews were conducted with seven psychiatric nurse assistants, six psychiatric nurses, two psychiatrists, psychiatric residents and social workers, one medical resident, head nurse, psychologist, research coordinator, occupational therapist, physiotherapist, pharmacist, chaplain and ward clerk and senior administrators.

Sanders and Harrison 2008 [20]

Looks at the claims of professional legitimacy in heart failure care made by three types of medical specialities and specialist heart failure nurses

England

Qualitative research looking at the content of discourses made by four professions. Data was obtained via semi-structured interviews

Participants’ workplaces (hospital or general practice)

Eight cardiologists, eight geriatricians, seven GPs and ten specialist heart failure nurses

Timmons and Tanner

Explores the case of theatre nurses and operating department practitioners (OPDs) and their disputed occupational boundaries

England

Qualitative research using observation and follow up semi-structured interviews

Sample drawn from five theatre departments across four NHS trusts

Seventeen theatre nurses and three ODPs