In 1990, the province of Québec, Canada, adopted a law that authorized the evaluation of the practice of midwifery through pilot projects before its legalization. A key objective of this evaluation, as defined by the law, was the documentation of women's assessment of maternity care, especially with regard to humanization and continuity of care. Two to 3 months after birth, 933 midwifery clients and 1,000 physicians' clients, matched on several characteristics, responded to a mailed questionnaire (response rates were 93% and 76%, respectively). Results showed that women from both groups were generally satisfied with the care they received, although women who received midwifery care were assessed as more positive on every issue surveyed. Objective measures supported impressions that were also confirmed through qualitative data analysis: midwifery clients had a greater number of and longer prenatal visits, their care was perceived to be more personalized, and a greater number of midwives' clients breastfed their infants. However, the interpretation of these results must take into account that the two groups had different personal expectations and values with regard to health and health care. These findings are enlightening in evaluating women's needs, expectations, and satisfaction with health care services and should be included in future development of maternity care, including idwifery services, in Québec and other locations.

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4. In addition to Collin, Blais, White, Demers and Desbiens, the Équipe d'évaluation des projetspilotes sages-femmes included:

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Bilan et perspectives sur l'évaluation dans le système de santé et de services sociaux Pierre JOUBERT 1 La contribution qu'on attend de ma part, en début de colloque, consiste à dresser un bilan et à dégager des perspectives par rapport à l'évaluation aux différents échelons du système sociosanitaire. Trouvant pour le moins périlleux de me livrer à cet exercice, du moins dès le début d'une journée qui vise justement à faire un tel bilan, il m'a semblé préférable de proposer des avenues de réflexion qui permettront de soutenir la discussion, plutôt que de dresser un bilan qui ne saurait être qu'incomplet.