Role identity in a turbulent environment : the case of health visiting

This thesis presents a grounded theory study of UK health visitors practising in an increasingly integrated, collaborative, service user focused healthcare system. Emphasis is placed in policy on a preventative, public health approach to addressing the ongoing health needs of the population. This has provoked a national debate on the healthcare contribution of health visitors. Better use of health visiting capacity and closer alignment of the role with the collaborative public health agenda have been identified as a national priority. The theoretical framework for this study has been developed from the symbolic. interactionist premise, that individuals continually reinterpret their world in the context of their social interaction with others. Data has been collected from direct observation and individual interviews. The process of constant comparative analysis has generated four interrelated data categories: professional role in action; interprofessional working; local micro systems for practice and professional role identity (core category).EThOS - Electronic Theses Online ServiceGBUnited Kingdo