[Differential impact and heterogeneous needs. A peer-led training program for improving chronic patients' health status and health behaviors]. / Impacto diferencial, necesidades heterogéneas. La formación entre iguales para mejorar la salud y los hábitos de vida de los pacientes crónicos.

OBJECTIVE: To measure the impact of the peer-led training for chronic patients on their health status and behaviors. DESIGN: Descriptive, transversal pretest and posttest quantitative approach. PLACEMENT: Andalusia. PARTICIPANTS: Nine hundred sixty-four patients with Diabetes, fibromyalgia and heart failure, trained at the School of Patients between 2013 and 2015. INTERVENTIONS: Peer-training intervention for self-efficacy for chronic patients. MAIN MEASUREMENT: Self-reported health status, activity limitation, diet and physical activity. Statistical analysis included descriptive and bivariate statistics, correlation coefficient and net gains for paired variables. RESULTS: Health status improved after the training, with less limitations and better diet and physical activity, with significant differences by sex, chronic illness, education level and marriage status. Improvement areas where identified for the training strategy, with special attention on the needs of more vulnerable groups (women, people with less education level). CONCLUSIONS: The peer training had a positive impact, with differences depending on social profiles. 1-year and 2-years posttest measurements are needed and a qualitative study is required in order to better evaluate the peer-led strategy and to adapt it to participants' needs and expectations.

Chronicity and use of health services: peer education of the School of Patients. / Cronicidad y uso de servicios sanitarios: la formación entre iguales de la Escuela de Pacientes.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the impact of the training strategy of the Escuela de Pacientes (School of Patients) on the use of health services among people with chronic diseases. METHOD: Quantitative design study of pretest and posttest evaluation with a population of 3,350 chronic patients of the Escuela de Pacientes (Andalusia, 2013-2015). A questionnaire adapted from the Stanford University was used. It measured the self-perceived health, number of health visits, and level of trust and communication with health personnel. A descriptive and bivariate study, a correlation study and a pretest/posttest net gain analysis were performed. RESULTS: Participation of 964 patients (28.8% of the population), of which 18.8% were men, mean age 56 years. Training increased trust in Primary Care (PC) and Hospital Care (HC) professionals (0.44 and 0.65 points), medical visits decreased by 25%, and hospital admissions fell by 51% with statistically significant differences by sex and disease. The correlation index between trust in professionals and use of health services was -0.215. CONCLUSION: The training strategy had a positive impact on the use of health services and trust in health professionals, and were identified areas of improvement from which recommendations are established.

[Peer training for patients with diabetes mellitus 2. A quantitative and qualitative evaluation in the Basque Country and Andalusia]. / La formación entre iguales para pacientes con diabetes mellitus 2. Una evaluación cuantitativa y cualitativa en el País Vasco y Andalucía.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate a peer training strategy for patients with type2 diabetes mellitus, developed in two training programmes in the Basque Country and Andalusia. DESIGN: Quantitative pre- and post-intervention and qualitative evaluation, developed between 2012 and 2014. PLACE: The Basque Country and Andalusia. PARTICIPANTS: A total of 409 patients and trainer-patients, participating in self-management peer training programmes. Intentional sample of 44 patients for the qualitative study. METHOD: Bivariate analysis and net gains for common variables used in questionnaires in the Basque Country and Andalusia: self-reported health, daily activities, physical activity, use of health services, and self-management. Content analysis of 8 focus groups with patients and trainer-patients, including: coding, categorisation, and triangulation of results. RESULTS: Peer training has a positive impact on physical activity, the use of health services, and self-management, with some gender differences. The peer-training strategy is considered positive, as it strengthens the patient-health provider relationship, generates group support and self-confidence, and improves the emotional management. Patients identify two areas of potential improvement: access and continuity of training strategies, and more support and recognition from health providers and institutions. CONCLUSIONS: The positive impact on health and quality of life that this patient peer-training provides, requires the collaboration of health professionals and institutions, which should improve the access, continuity and adaptation to patient needs and expectations.

A "tale of two countries": Narratives of hearts, patients and doctors in the Spanish press.

In this article we explore how the Spanish written press--ABC, La Vanguardia, and Blanco y Negro--and the official newsreel No-Do, created and disseminated a narrative about heart transplantations at the end of the 1960s. We consider how Franco's regime used Christiaan Barnard's heart transplants to legitimize the Spanish dictatorship and as a means of signifying scientific progress, modernization and national pride. The Spanish press created the plot of the first transplantations like that of a television series, presenting daily installments on the patients' progress, dramatizing the stories and ensuring the public's emotional attachment. The three main characters in the story: donors, patients and surgeons, formed a symbolic, indivisible narrative triangle endowed with singular meaning. This Spanish narrative of organ transplant technology was deployed through what we have called "a tale of two countries", that, emulating the South African's success, constructed in Martínez-Bordiú, Franco's son-in-law, a home-grown, masculine scientific personality capable of performing heart surgery and endorsing Franco's investment in scientific modernization.

[From miracle to dream come true: the rhetoric of hope and support for the medical profession in news items on transplants in Spain, 1900-1960]. / Del milagro al sueño cumplido: retórica de la esperanza y reivindicación profesional en las noticias de prensa sobre trasplantes en España, 1900-1960.

The article studies the building of public trust in transplants via a historico-discursive analysis of media sources from 1900 to 1960 in Spain. Maintaining the 'rhetoric of hope' as the journalistic strategy for representing transplants, the initial discursive approach involved the image of the doctor as hero, and transplants as miraculous events. After corneal implants became widespread, transplants were presented as a dream come true thanks to the scientific and technical skills of expert physicians. Since the first news of kidney transplants, the press stressed the promise of a better future through science but reflecting a more cautious medical position and confidence that results could be quantified.

[Alcohol consumption in adolescents (12 to 17 years): the point of view of health professionals]. / El consumo de alcohol en la población joven (12-17 años). El punto de vista de los profesionales de la salud.

OBJECTIVE: To find out the opinions of health professionals on adolescent alcohol drinking and their evaluation of the existing legal regulation measures. DESIGN: Qualitative and exploratory study, based on semi-structured interviews. SETTING: Four cities representing four different regions in Spain: Palma de Mallorca, Granada, Barcelona and Pamplona. PARTICIPANTS: A total of 36 physicians and nurses from four Spanish regions, working in Primary Care and Emergency Care, selected by intentiones samples. MEASUREMENTS: A total of 36 deep interviews, analysed using the software Nudist Vivo 4.0. RESULTS: Health professionals accept their important role in preventing and intervening in adolescent alcohol drinking. Generally, they consider it as a public health problem. Prevention is associated with Primary Care, while the Emergency Departments act in specific situations of alohol abuse. Adolescents infrequently visit Primary Care, thus prevention must centre on education system and constant coordination between health professional and parents. Health personnel do not have sufficient knowledge on legal regulations. They consider educational measures as more efficient than sanctions. CONCLUSIONS: Specific professional training is required in order to guarantee the coordination between the health and education systems and the family.

[Gender analysis of the Spanish Fertility Survey 2018]. / Análisis con perspectiva de género de la Encuesta de Fecundidad 2018 en España.

OBJECTIVE: To analyze the language and content of the questionnaire used in the Fertility Survey 2018, from a gender perspective. METHOD: Qualitative design based on a content analysis of the questionnaire used in the Fertility Survey 2018. Methodological recommendations and guides for gender-sensitive statistics were used, together with the comparison established with the Generations and Gender Survey. The categories of analysis were: language, sexual division of labor and fertility. The analysis procedure included the checklist and the incorporation of emerging variables specifically related to gender inequalities and biases. RESULTS: The questionnaire uses with some inclusive language, but maintains the generic use of masculine gender, reproduces gender stereotypes and uses male-female binomials as a single concept. It offers a limited perspective on sexual division of domestic and care labor, horizontal and vertical segregation in the workplace, gender differences between the access and control of resources. In relation to fertility, it reproduces gender inequalities and biases that build a normalized and idealized vision on having children, do not reflect the differential impact of pregnancy and parenting on women's health and prioritize the biological dimension of motherhood and fatherhood. CONCLUSIONS: The Spanish Fertility Survey needs to improve its gender sensitivity, reflect the heterogeneous biological, socio-economic and structural dimensions of fertility and explore deeper into the differential elements that generate inequalities and gender biases.

Psychological impact of COVID-19 pandemic in Western frontline healthcare professionals. A systematic review. / Impacto psicológico de la COVID-19 en profesionales sanitarios de primera línea en el ámbito occidental. Una revisión sistemática.

The aim of this study was to assess the psychological impact among healthcare workers who stand in the frontline of the SARS-CoV-2 crisis and to compare it with the rest of healthcare professionals, by means of a systematic review of Western publications. The systematic review was carried out in PubMed, Scopus and Web of Science databases and 12 descriptive studies were reviewed. The European and American quantitative studies reported moderate and high levels of stress, anxiety, depression, sleep disturbance and burnout, with diverse coping strategies and more frequent and intense symptoms among women and nurses, without conclusive results by age. In the first line of assistance the psychological impact was greater than in the rest of the health professionals and in the Asian area. It is necessary to go deeper into the emotional experiences and professional needs for emotional support in order to design effective interventions for protection and help.

[Women's emotional accounts of induced abortion]. / Experiencias emocionales en la interrupción voluntaria del embarazo.

OBJECTIVE: To explore women's emotional accounts of induced abortion, analyzing qualitative scientific publications. METHOD: Qualitative systematic review of 19 studies published in PubMed, Science Direct and Scopus from 2010 onwards. The articles based on qualitative research design were revised using inductive content analysis. RESULTS: The analysis identified three main themes regarding women's emotional experiences: access to abortion, emotional impact during medical assistance, and individual, relational and sociocultural determinants. The studies showed the variability in women's emotional accounts, mainly determined by the following factors: Access and waiting times, health system, type of intervention, degree of awareness and participation regarding the use of technical and medical technologies, interaction with health professionals, and specificity of individual, relational and sociocultural context. The main emotional difficulties were related to the ethical conflict, the decision-making, the relation with the social and health system and stigma. As main facilitating aspects, women highlighted autonomy in decision-making and emotional support, while barriers referred to social rejection and negative messages perceived from the political, social and health system. CONCLUSIONS: The emotional accounts around induced abortion depend on individual and relational factors, as well as on health assistance, all mediated by gender inequalities and bias. Improvements in health assistance refer to an integral and individualized attention, adapted to women's needs.

Psychological impact of COVID-19 pandemic in Western frontline healthcare professionals. A systematic review.

The aim of this study was to assess the psychological impact among healthcare workers who stand in the frontline of the SARS-CoV-2 crisis and to compare it with the rest of healthcare professionals, by means of a systematic review of Western publications. The systematic review was carried out in PubMed, Scopus and Web of Science databases and 12 descriptive studies were reviewed. The European and American quantitative studies reported moderate and high levels of stress, anxiety, depression, sleep disturbance and burnout, with diverse coping strategies and more frequent and intense symptoms among women and nurses, without conclusive results by age. In the first line of assistance the psychological impact was greater than in the rest of the health professionals and in the Asian area. It is necessary to go deeper into the emotional experiences and professional needs for emotional support in order to design effective interventions for protection and help.

El objetivo de este estudio fue conocer el impacto psicológico entre el personal sanitario de primera línea en la asistencia a pacientes con SARS-CoV-2 y compararlo con el resto de profesionales sanitarios, a través de una revisión sistemática de la producción científica en el ámbito occidental. La revisión se realizó en las bases PubMed, Scopus y Web of Science y se seleccionaron 12 artículos. Los estudios cuantitativos realizados en Europa y EE. UU. refirieron niveles moderados y altos de estrés, ansiedad, depresión, alteración del sueño y burnout, con estrategias de afrontamiento diversas y síntomas más frecuentes e intensos entre mujeres y enfermería, sin resultados concluyentes por edad. En la primera línea de asistencia, el impacto fue mayor que en el resto de profesionales sanitarios y que en el ámbito asiático. Se requiere profundizar en las experiencias emocionales y necesidades profesionales de apoyo emocional, para diseñar intervenciones eficaces de protección y ayuda.

Quality of internal communication in health care and the professional-patient relationship.

A study was undertaken for the purpose of describing internal communication and the professional-patient relationship and to establish a descriptive model of the interaction between these 2 variables. A nationwide survey was carried out in primary care and specialist care centers in Spain. A simple random sampling method was used with 1183 health care professionals. The data collection instrument was a Likert questionnaire that recorded information on the perceived quality of internal communication (0-100 scale), professional-patient relationships (0-100 scale), and sociodemographic variables. The results were analyzed using SPSS 15.0, performing mean comparisons and a suitable linear regression model.The total average of the quality of internal communication was 53.79 points, and that of the professional-patient relationships was 74.17 points. Sex made no statistically significant difference. Age shows that the older the participant, the better his/her opinion of internal communication and professional-patient relationships. Nursing staff had the highest opinion of internal communication and professional-patient relationships. The association between internal communication and professional-patient relationship was positive (R = 0.45).It was concluded that continuous exchange of information among health care professionals, together with learning and shared decision making or a positive emotional climate, is an element that will consolidate good professional-patient relationships and ensure patient satisfaction.

Emotional paths of professional experiences in transplant coordinators. / Rutas emocionales en las experiencias profesionales de los equipos de coordinación de trasplantes.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE: To look at transplant coordinators' professional narratives and explore their emotional experiences, coping strategies, needs and demands in relation to the donation interview. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Exploratory, transversal, multicenter design, using grounded theory, qualitative approach and content analysis of open-ended questionnaire and semistructured interviews with 22 transplant coordinators from the Andalusian Public Health System. Categories of analysis: Transplant coordination: perceptions, functions, impact and consequences; Positive/gratifying aspects and negative/ difficult aspects; Donation interview; Coping strategies; Needs, demands and suggestions. RESULTS: Transplant coordinators maintain a polarized perspective on their work, which they describe as a challenge and an opportunity. They highlight both their satisfaction and professional commitment as their work difficulties and requirements, which represent stress factors with an impact on professionals' perceptions, life styles, identity or physical and psychical life. Most gratifying work aspects refer to professional excellence, successful transplants and relationship with patients and their families. The donation interview is considered to be the most stressful moment, in response to which coordinators develop different emotional paths, conditioned by their experience, families' response to donation and its interpretation by the health team and professional (self) evaluation. Main professional demands are training strategies, group therapies and institutional support. CONCLUSIONS: The complexity and emotional intensiveness of transplant coordination require special interventions aiming to enable professionals towards an improvement of their emotional heath and management.

[Heroine, but no Superwoman. Evaluation of a peer-training activity for women with breast cancer]. / Heroína, pero no Superwoman. Evaluación de una formación entre iguales para mujeres con cáncer de mama.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate a peer-training intervention for women with breast cancer, from a gender perspective: to discover the results of the intervention and examine in-depth the personal experiences of patients and health professionals participating in the training activity. METHOD: Mixed method multicentre design completed in 2017 in Andalusia (Spain), with a pre and post evaluation questionnaire with 102 patients, measuring life style, limitations, use of health services, communication with professionals and self-management; and content analysis of semi-structured interviews and focus groups with 21 patient-trainers and 5 health professionals, looking at experiences, needs and suggestions for improvement. RESULTS: The patients described a good general health status, with improvements of: diet quality (7 in pre-test to 7.7 in post-test), limitations for daily life (from 1.93 to 1.64 points), self-efficacy (from 6.46 to 7.42 points). Age, civil status and level of education generated statistically significant differences, with more improvement in more vulnerable social profiles. Participants revealed the benefits of the peer-training at a personal, relational, psycho-emotional and socio-cultural level and expressed how the training changed their experiences around identity-construction and gender roles. The improvement dimensions related to organization, evaluation and continuity. CONCLUSIONS: The peer-training intervention is a positive experience for women's physical, relational and emotional health and, from a gender perspective, it represents an opportunity, at both individual and group level, to negotiate and deconstruct gender roles when living with breast cancer.

Emotional experiences of health professionals in organ procurement and transplantation. A systematic review. / Vivencias y emociones profesionales en el proceso de donación y trasplantes de órganos. Una revisión sistemática.

INTRODUCTION: The objective was to explore, discuss and synthesize the emotional experiences of health professionals during the process of organ procurement and transplantation. METHODS: A systematic review was made in Medline, Science Direct and the Virtual Library of the Andalusian Public Health System, selecting 16 original articles for inclusion in the review, with qualitative evaluation and narrative synthesis. RESULTS: The results revealed the main use of qualitative methodology, and 4emergent themes were identified: working in organ procurement and transplantation; the transition of professional roles; emotional experiences; and, coping strategies and emotional management. This systematic review revealed the complex and diverse character of professionals' emotional experiences as well as the importance of the interpersonal relationship. CONCLUSIONS: Intense emotional experiences related to the sense of responsibility, the work challenge and coping strategies based on reward searching explained important contradictions and tensions about professional roles and functions, especially during the donation interview.

[Communication, participation and leadership in the perception of the emotional climate in a university hospital in Andalusia, Spain]. / Comunicación, participación y liderazgo en la percepción del clima emocional en un hospital universitario de Andalucía, España.

The aim of this study was to identify and analyze perceptions and opinions among health professionals in a university hospital in Andalusia, Spain, regarding the emotional climate, leadership style, quality of information, and internal communication. The study also aimed to collect health professionals' suggestions for improving these workplace characteristics. The study included 730 participants and used a quantitative and qualitative methodology. The results reflect a medium-to-low level of emotional climate, correlated with the leadership style and information and internal communication. Statistically significant differences appeared when comparing professional categories and hospital units. The health professionals provided a positive assessment of the administrators' work, although requiring more task-oriented, participative, and affiliative leadership skills.

[Definition of medical competence. The point of view of chronically-ill patients in the Andalusian public healthcare system (Spain)]. / Definición de competencia médica según pacientes crónicos del sistema sanitario público de Andalucía.

OBJECTIVE: To identify the attributes used by chronically-ill patients to describe physicians' competence in the public healthcare system in Andalucia. METHODS: A total of 147 chronically-ill patients and their relatives were included in this qualitative study. Focal groups and in-depth interviews were performed in health centers and outpatient centers in Granada, Malaga, Seville, Cadiz and Cordoba between 2007 and 2008. Content analysis was carried out using Nudist Vivo. RESULTS: The participants defined medical competence as combining elements of technical ability and knowledge (awareness of and interest in the disease, continuity of follow-up and requesting specific tests) with interpersonal skills related to communication, information (informing, listening, trust, prompting questions) and attention (courtesy, cordiality, respect, interest and approachability). Primary care was expected to provide a close relationship, personalized treatment, information, drug prescription, and referral to specialized care. Specialized care was expected to provide an accurate diagnosis and appropriate treatment, information and follow-up. Highly valued aspects of emergency care were symptom relief, accurate diagnosis, referral to specialists and courtesy. CONCLUSIONS: Chronically-ill patients based their evaluation of medical competence on technical and interpersonal skills.

Cronicidad y uso de servicios sanitarios: la formación entre iguales de la Escuela de Pacientes / Cronicidade e utilização de serviços de saúde: a formação entre iguais na Escola de Pacientes / Chronicity and use of health services: peer education of the School of Patients

RESUMEN Objetivo: Evaluar el impacto de la estrategia formativa de la Escuela de Pacientes en el uso de servicios sanitarios entre las personas con enfermedades crónicas. Método: Diseño cuantitativo de evaluación pretest y postest con una población de 3350 pacientes crónicos de la Escuela de Pacientes (Andalucía, 2013-2015). Se empleó un cuestionario adaptado de la Universidad de Stanford, que midió: salud autopercibida, número de visitas médicas y nivel de confianza y comunicación con el personal sanitario. Se realizó estudio descriptivo y bivariante, estudio de correlación y análisis de ganancias netas pretest/postest. Resultados: Participaron 964 pacientes (28,8% de la población): el 18,8% hombres, edad media 56 años. La formación aumentó la confianza en el personal de Atención Primaria (AP) y Atención Hospitalaria (AH) (0,44 y 0,65 puntos), descendieron las visitas médicas en un 25% y los ingresos hospitalarios en un 51%, con diferencias estadísticamente significativas por sexo y enfermedad. El índice de correlación entre confianza con profesionales y uso de servicios sanitarios fue de −0,215. Conclusión: La estrategia formativa tuvo un impacto positivo en el uso de servicios sanitarios y confianza con personal sanitario, detectándose áreas de mejora a partir de las cuales se establecen recomendaciones.

Resumo Objetivo: Avaliar o impacto da formação da Escola de Pacientes entre iguais sobre a utilização de serviços sanitários das pessoas com doenças crónicas. Método: Desenho quantitativo da avaliação pré-teste e pós-teste com uma população de 3.350 pacientes da Escola de Pacientes (Andaluzia, 2013-2015). Foi usado um questionário adaptado da Universidade de Stanford, que mediu: saúde autopercebida, visitas médicas, nível de confiança e comunicação com o pessoal sanitário. A análise estatística incluiu estudo estatístico descritivo e bivariado, estudo de correlação e análise de ganhos líquidos pré-teste/pós-teste. Resultados: Participaram 964 pacientes (28,8% da população do estudo), 18,8% homens, idade média de 56 anos. Depois da formação, a confiança no pessoal de Atenção Primária (AP) e Atenção Hospitalar (AH) aumentou (0,44 e 0,65 pontos, respectivamente), as visitas médicas decresceram em 25% e as entradas hospitalares em 51%, com diferenças estatisticamente significativas por sexo e doença. O índice de correlação entre confiança nos profissionais e utilização de serviços de saúde foi de −0,215. Conclusão: A estratégia formativa teve um impacto positivo na utilização dos serviços de saúde e na confiança no pessoal de saúde, detectando-se áreas de melhoria a partir das quais se estabelecem recomendações.

ABSTRACT Objective: To evaluate the impact of the training strategy of the Escuela de Pacientes (School of Patients) on the use of health services among people with chronic diseases. Method: Quantitative design study of pretest and posttest evaluation with a population of 3,350 chronic patients of the Escuela de Pacientes (Andalusia, 2013-2015). A questionnaire adapted from the Stanford University was used. It measured the self-perceived health, number of health visits, and level of trust and communication with health personnel. A descriptive and bivariate study, a correlation study and a pretest/posttest net gain analysis were performed. Results: Participation of 964 patients (28.8% of the population), of which 18.8% were men, mean age 56 years. Training increased trust in Primary Care (PC) and Hospital Care (HC) professionals (0.44 and 0.65 points), medical visits decreased by 25%, and hospital admissions fell by 51% with statistically significant differences by sex and disease. The correlation index between trust in professionals and use of health services was −0.215. Conclusion: The training strategy had a positive impact on the use of health services and trust in health professionals, and were identified areas of improvement from which recommendations are established.

Opinions and expectations of women in the treatment of cervical and uterine cancer in Spain.

AIM: To know the experiences, needs and expectations of women in the treatment of cervical and uterine cancer in the Andalusian Health Service. METHODS: Focus groups and in-depth interviews with women being treated for cervical-uterine cancer within the Andalusian Health Service. Analysis with Nudist Vivo 1.0 (QSR International Pty Ltd, Doncaster, Victoria, Australia). RESULTS: The needs and expectations detected were: coherence in the promotion strategies and the presence of a proactive approach by health professionals, availability of comprehensive information and understanding, possibility of expressing to health professionals one's doubts and fears, and of participation in decision-making, technical quality, humane treatment and continuity of care and attention to psychosocial aspects. CONCLUSION: The knowledge of women in the treatment of cancer of the cervix and uterus plays a crucial part in improving the delivery of these services.