ABSTRACT
A survey was conducted among the medical and nursing staff of Prentice Women's Hospital in an attempt to examine attitudes toward patient education. Ninety-two percent of the obstetrician-gynecologists were surveyed, as were 81% of the nursing staff. Areas of evaluation included current practices at the hospital, attitudes toward patient education, principles of patient education, attitudes toward territorial imperative, perceptions of educational background, and perceptions of current role. Results indicate considerable disorganization in educational practices at the present time. Attitudes toward and understanding of principles of patient education did not differ between the two groups studied. However, there was strong disagreement in issues of patient ownership. Perceptions of educational training of, as well as current roles played by, each profession in educating the patient were highly polarized. The implications of such interprofessional conflict are discussed.