Positive Mental Health and Self-Care in Patients with Chronic Physical Health Problems: Implications for Evidence-based Practice.

BACKGROUND: The capacity for self-care and positive mental health (PMH) has an influence on well-being and on one's approach to chronic illness. PURPOSE: The aim was to determine the level of PMH and self-care agency as well as the relations among sociodemographic variables, PMH, and the level of self-care among patients with chronic physical health problems. We also examined correlations between PMH and self-care agency. METHODS: A descriptive, cross-sectional correlational study was conducted with a sample of 209 patients at a primary care center. The instruments used were the Positive Mental Health Questionnaire and the Appraisal of Self-Care Agency scale. The STROBE statement was used. RESULTS: Significant differences were found in the PMH factors in relation to sociodemographic variables and health conditions. Suffering one or more chronic diseases was associated negatively, and significantly, with the capacity for self-care. The four most prevalent chronic health problems in the sample were hypertension, hypercholesterolemia, obesity, and diabetes mellitus. LINKING EVIDENCE TO ACTION: In people with chronic physical health problems, there is a positive relationship between PMH and self-care capacity. An increase in the possibility of caring for oneself saw an increase in PMH; conversely, an increase in PMH brought with it an increased capacity for self-care as well. Therefore, if actions are taken to increase PMH, the capacity for self-care will also increase.

mHealth to Improve Experience, Adherence to Pharmacological Treatment, and Positive Mental Health in Patients Diagnosed With Femur Fractures: Protocol for a Quasi-Experimental Study.

BACKGROUND: Considering the prognosis of femur fractures worldwide, the ageing of our society, and the problems in adherence to treatment found in these patients, it is believed that mobile health can have a positive impact on the process and quality of care. OBJECTIVE: We aim to evaluate the effectiveness of a pharmacological educational nurse intervention with Myplan app with regard to knowledge, adherence to pharmacological treatment, and positive mental health of patients with femur fractures. METHODS: A nonrandomized, quasi-experimental study will be carried out with a pretest-posttest control group. It will include 278 older patients diagnosed with femur fractures, with a Glasgow Coma Scale of 15 and access to mobile devices. Patients with psychological pathologies and cognitive impairment or patients treated in isolation will be excluded. Study variables are as follows: sociodemographic variables (AdHoc Form), patient experience (Patient Experience Questionnaire-15), adherence to pharmacological treatment (Morisky-Green questionnaire), and positive mental health (Positive Mental Health questionnaire). The measurements will be taken 24 hours after admission, upon discharge, and 25 days after discharge. RESULTS: Enrollment commenced in October 2022. Data collection will be completed in April 2023. CONCLUSIONS: The results of this study will offer evidence of the effectiveness of a pharmacological educational nurse intervention by means of a free smartphone app. If its efficacy is demonstrated and the results are acceptable, it could mean an improvement in the care of patients with femur fractures, and this technology could be used to guide other training interventions in patients with other pathologies. TRIAL REGISTRATION: ClinicalTrials.gov NCTT05669040; https://clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/show/NCTT05669040. INTERNATIONAL REGISTERED REPORT IDENTIFIER (IRRID): DERR1-10.2196/45856.