Regional perspectives on patient safety policies and initiatives: a focus group study with patient safety leaders in the Middle East and Asian regions.

Preventing and reducing risks and harm to patients is of critical importance as unsafe care is a leading cause of death and disability globally. However, the lack of consolidated information on patient safety policies and initiatives at regional levels represents an evidence gap with implications for policy and planning. The aim of the study was to answer the question of what patient safety policies and initiatives are currently in place in the Middle East and Asian regions and what were the main strengths, weaknesses, opportunities and threats in developing these. A qualitative approach using online focus groups was adopted. Participants attended focus groups beginning in August 2022. A topic guide was developed using a strengths, weaknesses, opportunities and threats framework analysis approach. The Consolidated Criteria for Reporting Qualitative Research checklist was used to ensure the recommended standards of qualitative data reporting were met. 21 participants from 11 countries participated in the study. Current patient safety policies identified were categorised across 5 thematic areas and initiatives were categorised across a further 10 thematic areas. Strengths of patient safety initiatives included enabling healthcare worker training, leadership commitment in hospitals, and stakeholder engagement and collaboration. Weaknesses included a disconnect between health delivery and education, implementation gaps, low clinical awareness and buy-in at the facility level, and lack of leadership engagement. Just culture, safety by design and education were considered opportunities, alongside data collection and reporting for research and shared learning. Future threats were low leadership commitment, changing leadership, poor integration across the system, a public-private quality gap and political instability in some contexts. Undertaking further research regionally will enable shared learning and the development of best practice examples. Future research should explore the development of policies and initiatives for patient safety at the provider, local and national levels that can inform action across the system.

Understanding Patient Perspectives on the Use of Gamification and Incentives in mHealth Apps to Improve Medication Adherence: Qualitative Study.

BACKGROUND: Medication nonadherence remains a significant health and economic burden in many high-income countries. Emerging smartphone interventions have started to use features such as gamification and financial incentives with varying degrees of effectiveness on medication adherence and health outcomes. A more consistent approach to applying these features, informed by patient perspectives, may result in more predictable and beneficial results from this type of intervention. OBJECTIVE: This qualitative study aims to identify patient perspectives on the use of gamification and financial incentives in mobile health (mHealth) apps for medication adherence in Australian patients taking medication for chronic conditions. METHODS: A total of 19 participants were included in iterative semistructured web-based focus groups conducted between May and December 2022. The facilitator used exploratory prompts relating to mHealth apps, gamification, and financial incentives, along with concepts raised from previous focus groups. Transcriptions were independently coded to develop a set of themes. RESULTS: Three themes were identified: purpose-driven design, trust-based standards, and personal choice. All participants acknowledged gamification and financial incentives as potentially effective features in mHealth apps for medication adherence. However, they also indicated that the effectiveness heavily depended on implementation and execution. Major concerns relating to gamification and financial incentives were perceived trivialization and potential for medication abuse, respectively. CONCLUSIONS: The study's findings provide a foundation for developers seeking to apply these novel features in an app intervention for a general cohort of patients. However, the study highlights the need for standards for mHealth apps for medication adherence, with particular attention to the use of gamification and financial incentives. Future research with patients and stakeholders across the mHealth app ecosystem should be explored to formalize and validate a set of standards or framework.

Consensus-based recommendations for the development and expansion of palliative day care clinics in Germany: results of a Delphi study.

BACKGROUND: Needs-based, patient-oriented palliative care includes palliative day care clinics as a specialized semi-inpatient care offer. However, the establishment and development of these facilities has been unsystematic. Research is needed to strengthen their transparency and ensure their accessibility, quality, and structural adequacy. A national Delphi study was conducted to generate appropriate recommendations for the establishment and development of palliative day care clinics in Germany. METHODS: Recommendations were formulated from focus group data on the development and expansion of palliative day care clinics in Germany. Experts on in- and outpatient palliative care rated 28 recommendations for relevance and feasibility, respectively, using a 4-point Likert-type scale. Suggestions for improvement were captured via free text comments. Items were considered consented when more than 80% of the experts scored them 4 (strongly agree) or 3 (somewhat agree), regarding both relevance and feasibility. RESULTS: A total of 23 experts (32% response rate) completed three Delphi rounds. Following the first round, 10 of 28 recommendations were revised according to participants' comments; 1 recommendation was rejected. After the second round, 3 of these 10 recommendations were revised, while 3 were rejected. Consensus was achieved after the third round for 22 of the initial recommendations. CONCLUSIONS: The Delphi-consented recommendations provide a basis for the targeted evidence- and needs-based development of palliative day care clinics. The findings show a need for standards setting and the meaningful integration of these clinics into existing structures. TRIAL REGISTRATION: The present study was prospectively registered on April 20, 2020, with the German Clinical Trials Register (DRKS00021446).

Barriers, facilitators and needs to deprescribe benzodiazepines and other sedatives in older adults: a mixed methods study of primary care provider perspectives.

BACKGROUND: Benzodiazepines and other sedative hypnotic drugs (BSHs) are frequently prescribed for sleep problems, but cause substantial adverse effects, particularly in older adults. Improving knowledge on barriers, facilitators and needs of primary care providers (PCPs) to BSH deprescribing could help reduce BSH use and thus negative effects. METHODS: We conducted a mixed methods study (February-May 2023) including a survey, semi-structured interviews and focus groups with PCPs in Switzerland. We assessed barriers, facilitators and needs of PCPs to BSH deprescribing. Quantitative data were analyzed descriptively, qualitative data deductively and inductively using the Theoretical Domain Framework (TDF). Quantitative and qualitative data were integrated using meta-interferences. RESULTS: The survey was completed by 126 PCPs (53% female) and 16 PCPs participated to a focus group or individual interview. The main barriers to BSH deprescribing included patient and PCP lack of knowledge on BSH effects and side effects, lack of PCP education on treatment of sleep problems and BSH deprescribing, patient lack of motivation, PCP lack of time, limited access to cognitive behavioral therapy for insomnia and absence of public dialogue on BSHs. Facilitators included informing on side effects to motivate patients to discontinue BSHs and start of deprescribing during a hospitalization. Main PCP needs were practical recommendations for pharmacological and non-pharmacological treatment of sleep problems and deprescribing schemes. Patient brochures were wished by 69% of PCPs. PCPs suggested the brochures to contain explanations about risks and benefits of BSHs, sleep hygiene and sleep physiology, alternative treatments, discontinuation process and tapering schemes. CONCLUSION: The barriers and facilitators as well as PCP needs and opinions on patient material we identified can be used to develop PCP training and material on BSH deprescribing, which could help reduce the inappropriate use of BSHs for sleep problems.

Feelings and thoughts of midwifery students during their first birth suite placement: A qualitative study.

This descriptive qualitative study aimed to understand the feelings and thoughts experienced by 4th year midwifery students during the first birth they attended during clinical practice. Focus group interviews were conducted with 22 final year midwifery students in Istanbul, Türkiye December 2020. The transcribed data were analyzed by the descriptive qualitative analysis method. The students experienced not only negative feelings such as fear, torment, anxiety but also positive feelings such as hope, excitement, and curiosity during the first birth practice. The situations that caused negative feelings and thoughts were not only the feelings of the students but also the conditions that negatively affected the care provided to the patient in the clinic. The clinical practice environment affects the feelings and thoughts of midwifery students about the birth process. For this reason, improving the clinical practice environment and supporting students throughout the education process may contribute to the development of positive feelings and thoughts when attending as a student for their first birth suite placement.

Mixed Method Evaluation of ACTS: Advancing Connection Through Storytelling-A Novel Approach to Improve Older Adult Engagement and Staff Interactions in Korean Nursing Homes.

BACKGROUND: A culture centered on relationships and communication is necessary to improve the quality of life of older adults living in nursing homes. OBJECTIVES: To examine the effects of a storytelling program by examining the cognitive, emotional, and psychosocial changes in older adults in facilities and explore staff experience of changes in care. METHODS: This mixed method study delivered a 6-week storytelling program based on relationship-centered care for residents of nursing homes (aged >65 years). Changes in emotional expression, depression, communication skills, social support, interpersonal relationships, nurse-patient interaction, and the person-centered environment as perceived by older adults were quantitatively analyzed using pre-intervention and post-intervention surveys. Qualitative data were collected through weekly stories created by residents, followed by focus group interviews with nursing home staff, analyzed using reflexive thematic analysis to enhance understanding of the program's outcomes. RESULTS: The 42 residents reported significant changes in their emotional expression, depression, communication skills, social support, interpersonal relationships, nurse-patient interaction, and person-centered environment scores after the 6-week intervention. Analysis of the residents' stories identified 5 themes. The staff focus group interviews identified 2 themes and 7 subthemes. Intervention group residents were more likely to initiate conversations, express themselves, carefully observe themselves and others, and actively participate in social activities. CONCLUSIONS: The storytelling program was useful in reducing older adults' negative emotions by allowing them to express their thoughts and feelings and improve their relationships, creating opportunities for social interaction. These effects could help foster relationship- and communication-centered facility cultures.

Women's expectations, preferences and needs in midwifery care - results from the qualitative Midwifery Care (MiCa) study: Childbirth and early parenthood.

OBJECTIVE: The main goals of our study were (I) the investigation of expectations and preferences as well as (II) the determination of needs of women in regard to midwifery care. DESIGN: Descriptive phenomenology was used to investigate the ways in which women experienced childbirth and early parenthood. A descriptive qualitative research design was chosen, using focus groups. SETTING: ix online focus groups were carried out with 19 women for this part of the Midwifery Care (MiCa) study, mainly from the north of Germany. PARTICIPANTS: Women shortly after birth, in puerperium and the first year after childbirth were recruited in Germany. A purposeful strategy according to maximum variation sampling was applied to reach diversity in the sample regarding age and previous children. Data were analysed using qualitative content analysis, according to Mayring, with support of the qualitative data analysis software MAXQDA 2022. FINDINGS: Six main categories were derived for both childbirth and early parenthood: (a) involvement of family, (b) need for information, (c) physical and psychological aspects and (d) orientation in the healthcare system. In each group, one main category about provision of healthcare was developed: (e) care around childbirth and (f) midwifery care in early parenthood. Women attached great importance to the communication with midwives and favoured the involvement of their partners in the childbirth process and during parenting. Based on different experiences and inconsistency of information, women would prefer consistency in staff and communication as well as standardised information. CONCLUSIONS: From the user's perspective, midwifery care is crucial during childbirth and the child's first year of life. Current health care during and after childbirth and early parenthood lacks individualised care models, emotional support, adequate and professional communication between different health care providers, and consistency in midwifery care. Our findings should be translated into health care delivery with effective interprofessional teamwork within the continuity of midwifery care. Further quantitative research should analyse the individual healthcare situations of women in the reproductive phase of their life as well as of the applied healthcare models in order to personalise care and to improve healthcare quality.

Nurses' perception of the nursing process and its relationship with leadership.

OBJECTIVES: to describe Nurses' perception of the Nursing Process and its relationship with leadership. METHODS: action research conducted between September/2021 and April/2022 with nurses from a medium-sized hospital in southern Brazil. The data investigated, one of the stages of the method, was collected using the Focus Group technique and submitted to Strategic Focus Analysis. RESULTS: three categories emerged from the organized and analyzed data, namely: Nursing Process: a tool that qualifies nursing care; Conditions that weaken the Nursing Process; and Strategies that enhance the Systematization of Nursing Care. FINAL CONSIDERATIONS: the perception of the Nursing Process and its relationship with leadership are not always understood as complementary themes. Although they recognize that the Nursing Process is sometimes imposed as normative, nurses do not perceive the importance of the role of the leader, who is considered a key player in conducting and boosting the Systematization of Nursing Care.

"Just pee in the diaper" - a constructivist grounded theory study of moral distress enabling neglect in nursing homes.

BACKGROUND: A growing body of evidence shows that many nursing home residents' basic care needs are neglected, and residents do not receive qualitatively good care. This neglect challenges nursing staff´s professional and personal ideals and standards for care and may contribute to moral distress. The aim of this study was to investigate how nursing staff manage being a part of a neglectful work culture, based on the research question: "How do nursing home staff manage their moral distress related to neglectful care practices?" METHODS: A qualitative design was chosen, guided by Charmaz´s constructivist grounded theory. The study was based on 10 individual interviews and five focus group discussions (30 participants in total) with nursing home staff working in 17 different nursing homes in Norway. RESULTS: Nursing staff strive to manage their moral distress related to neglectful care practices in different ways: by favouring efficiency and tolerating neglect they adapt to and accept these care practices. By disengaging emotionally and retreating physically from care they avoid confronting morally distressing situations. These approaches may temporarily mitigate the moral distress of nursing staff, whilst also creating a staff-centred and self-protecting work culture enabling neglect in nursing homes. CONCLUSIONS: Our findings represent a shift from a resident-centred to a staff-centred work culture, whereby the nursing staff use self-protecting strategies to make their workday manageable and liveable. This strongly indicates a compromise in the quality of care that enables the continuation of neglectful care practices in Norwegian nursing homes. Finding ways of breaking a downward spiralling quality of care are thus a major concern following our findings.

Insights into designing educational materials for persons living with dementia: a focus group study.

BACKGROUND: Persons living with dementia (PLWD) may experience communication difficulties that impact their ability to process written and pictorial information. Patient-facing education may help promote discontinuation of potentially inappropriate medications for older adults without dementia, but it is unclear how to adapt this approach for PLWD. Our objective was to solicit feedback from PLWD and their care partners to gain insights into the design of PLWD-facing deprescribing intervention materials and PLWD-facing education material more broadly. METHODS: We conducted 3 successive focus groups with PLWD aged ≥ 50 (n = 12) and their care partners (n = 10) between December 2022 and February 2023. Focus groups were recorded and transcripts were analyzed for overarching themes. RESULTS: We identified 5 key themes: [1] Use images and language consistent with how PLWD perceive themselves; [2] Avoid content that might heighten fear or anxiety; [3] Use straightforward delivery with simple language and images; [4] Direct recipients to additional information; make the next step easy; and [5] Deliver material directly to the PLWD. CONCLUSION: PLWD-facing educational material should be addressed directly to PLWD, using plain, non-threatening and accessible language with clean, straightforward formatting.

Portfólio: percepção de estudantes de graduação da área da saúde / Portafolio: percepción de los estudiantes de pregrado en eláreade la salud / Portfolio: perception of undergraduate students in the healthcare field

Introdução:A formação em saúde norteia a prática profissional, incidindo diretamente na atenção e assistência à saúde ofertada à população. Nesse sentido, o uso de métodos ativos de aprendizagem e avaliação, como por exemplo, o portfólio, podem contribuir para a construção de conhecimentos crítico-reflexivos. Objetivo:Evidenciara percepção de estudantes dos cursos da área da saúde, que cursam a disciplina de Saúde e Cidadania na Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Norte sobre o uso do portfólio enquanto instrumento de avaliação do ensino aprendizagem. Metodologia:Os dados foram obtidos por meio da formação de grupo focaleanalisados pela análise do conteúdo. Definiram-se, então, as categorias temáticas:percepção sobre o portfólio; a elaboração do portfólio e a sua contribuição para a formação; dificuldades para formulação doportfólio;o portfólio como instrumento de avaliação. Resultados:Os estudantes compreendem o portfólio como instrumento de diálogo entre docentes e discentes, através dos relatos das vivências em grupo nos equipamentos sociais e reflexões individuais na construção de conceitos e aprofundamento teórico. Ainda referem inseguranças e dúvidas acerca da estruturação e confecção do instrumento, no entanto, percebem o portfólio como potente e inovador no auxílio aconstrução do conhecimento uma vez que permite oacompanhamento do processo de ensino-aprendizagem, possibilitando maior interação entre educador-educando, com produção de uma aprendizagem significativa.Conclusões:o portfólio estimula a reflexão e a crítica acerca das vivências nos cenários de práticas onde se desenvolve o componente curricular Saúde e Cidadaniacorroborando, sobremaneira, para a construção do conhecimento dos estudantes (AU).

Introduction:A degreein healthcare guides the professional practice, directly affecting the healthcare attention and assistance offered to the population. In this sense, the use of active learning and assessment methods, such as portfolios, can contribute to the construction of critical-reflective knowledge. Objective:To highlight the perception of students from health courses, who study the Health and Citizenship discipline at the Federal University of Rio Grande do Norte, regarding the use of the portfolio as an instrument for evaluating teaching and learning.Methodology:Data were obtained through the formation of a focus group and analyzed using content analysis. Thematic categories were then defined: perception of the portfolio; the preparation of the portfolio and its contribution to training; difficulties in formulating the portfolio; the portfolio as an assessment tool. Results:Students understand the portfolio as an instrument of dialogue between teachers and students, through reports of group experiences in social facilities and individual reflections in the construction of concepts and theoretical deepening. They still report insecurities and doubts about the structuring and creation of the instrument, however, they perceive the portfolio as powerful and innovativein helping to build knowledge as it allows the monitoring of the teaching-learning process, enabling greater interaction between educator and student, with the production of significant learning. Conclusions:The portfolio encourages reflection and criticism about the experiences in the practical scenarios where the curricular component -SACI is developed, greatly supporting the construction of students' knowledge (AU).

Introducción:La formación en salud orienta la práctica profesional, incidiendo directamente en la atención y asistencia sanitaria que se ofrece a la población. En este sentido, el uso de métodos activos de aprendizaje y evaluación, como los portafolios, puedecontribuir a la construcción de conocimiento crítico-reflexivo. Objetivo:Resaltar la percepción de estudiantes de carreras de salud, que cursan la disciplina Salud y Ciudadanía de la Universidad Federal de Rio Grande do Norte, sobre el uso del portafolios como instrumento de evaluación de la enseñanza y del aprendizaje. Metodología:Los datos se obtuvieron mediante la formación de un grupo focal y se analizaron mediante análisis de contenido. Luego se definieron categorías temáticas: percepción del portafolio; la elaboración del portafolio y su contribución a la formación; dificultades para formular el portafolio; el portafolio como herramienta de evaluación.Resultados:Los estudiantes entienden el portafolio como un instrumento de diálogo entre docentes y estudiantes, a través de relatos de experiencias grupales en establecimientos sociales y reflexiones individuales en la construcción de conceptos y profundización teórica. Aún reportan inseguridades y dudas sobre la estructuración y creación del instrumento, sin embargo, perciben el portafolio como poderoso e innovador para ayudar a la construcción de conocimiento ya que permite el seguimiento del proceso de enseñanza-aprendizaje, posibilitando una mayor interacción entre educador y estudiante, con la producción de aprendizajes significativos.Conclusiones: El portafolio incentiva la reflexión y crítica sobre las experiencias en los escenarios prácticos donde se desarrolla el componente curricular -SACI, apoyando en gran medida la construcción del conocimiento de los estudiantes (AU).

The perceived mental health experiences and needs of postpartum mothers living in the United Arab Emirates : A focus group study.

BACKGROUND: After childbirth, mothers are particularly vulnerable to mental health problems including anxiety and depression, which often remain undetected and untreated. In the United Arab Emirates (UAE), recent figures revealed a substantial prevalence of postpartum depression. However, postpartum mental health remains largely understudied in the country's clinical and research settings. Therefore, given the paucity of literature in the UAE and building upon previous epidemiological findings, this study aimed to explore the perceived mental health experiences and needs of mothers during the postpartum period to guide the development of targeted interventions that address mothers' unique mental health challenges. METHODOLOGY: Four focus groups were conducted, involving a total of 27 Emirati and multicultural expatriate mothers aged 32.47 ± 4.56 years old, living in the UAE and within their first year postpartum. Descriptive interpretive thematic analysis was employed to analyze the data. ANALYSIS: Six themes were generated that capture the mothers postpartum experiences and mental health needs: (1) distinct postpartum experiences of primiparous and multiparous mothers, (2) experiences of emotional distress in the initial postpartum stage, (3) multifaceted challenges in breastfeeding, (4) multifactorial influences on postpartum mental health, (5) postpartum social support resources and providers, and (6) the need for formal and informal resources. CONCLUSIONS: The findings highlight the importance of considering the unique cultural and societal factors that impact maternal mental health in the UAE, given its diverse population. A collaborative multidisciplinary approach, integrating culture sensitivity, is vital to address the mental health needs of postpartum mothers and to guide the development of tailored evidence-based interventions.

Gaining experience in the provider role: Exploration of a novel simulation intervention to prepare nurse practitioner students to detect and manage skin cancer.

BACKGROUND: The high prevalence and negative outcomes associated with skin cancer demand effective strategies to prepare nurse practitioner students to detect cancerous lesions and manage patient care. However, few studies have examined dermatologic simulations to prepare nurse practitioner students to detect and manage skin cancer. PURPOSE: An exploratory-descriptive qualitative approach was used to examine nurse practitioner students' experiences with simulations involving standardized patients wearing three-dimensional (3-D) prosthetic skin lesions, perceptions of ability to apply the simulations to clinical practice, and preferences for learning dermatologic care. METHODOLOGY: A convenience sample of 39 nurse practitioner students participated in simulations with standardized patients wearing 3-D skin lesions. Focus groups were conducted following simulation participation, and thematic analysis was performed by two researchers. RESULTS: Four themes emerged: Simulation provides a safe place to practice , Dermatology should be an integral part of education , Realism makes a difference , and Improved confidence and preparation for practice . CONCLUSIONS: Simulations with standardized patients wearing 3-D skin lesion prosthetics provided students the opportunity to assess, diagnose, and manage the care of patients with cancerous skin lesions. Participants valued the realistic practice with dermatologic care and reported improved confidence and preparation for practice. IMPLICATIONS: Faculty can use simulations to provide experiential learning about the provider role in general and as it pertains to skin cancer care. Attention to realism is important to aid in building students' confidence and preparation for practice.

Children and youth mental health from the perspective of workers in a health network / Saúde mental infantojuvenil na perspectiva de trabalhadores de uma rede de saúde / La salud mental infantil y juvenol desde la perspectiva de los trabajadores de una red sanitaria

The objective was to understand the difficulties and potential of a Mental Health (MH) network aimed at children and adolescents, identifying how professionals understand and operationalize the principles of the policy of SM for children and adolescents. Five Focus Groups were held, with the participation of 43 workers. We used lexical analysis through the Iramuteq software, originating four classes: "What is being a child and adolescent?"; "What do children and adolescents suffer from?"; "On the relationship between services" and "Potentials and challenges of the Mental Health Network". Difficulties in sharing care were identified, articulating the network outside of oneself. Capsij is perceived as a priority for user embracement, and there is still difficulty in providing care in MH in Primary Care (AB). It is concluded that the complexity of care in MS for children and adolescents imposes the need to continue strategies to strengthen the AB and intersectoral actions aimed at an expanded clinic. (AU)

Objetivou-se conhecer as dificuldades e potencialidades de uma rede de Saúde Mental (SM) voltada a crianças e adolescentes, identificando como profissionais compreendem e operacionalizam os princípios da política de SM infantojuvenil. Foram realizados cinco Grupos Focais, com participação de 43 trabalhadores. Utilizou-se da análise lexical por meio do software Iramuteq, originando quatro classes: "O que é ser criança e adolescente?"; "Do que sofrem as crianças e adolescentes?"; "Sobre a relação entre os serviços" e "Potencialidades e desafios da Rede de Saúde Mental". Identificou-se dificuldades em compartilhar o cuidado, articulando a rede para fora de si. O Capsij é percebido como prioritário para o acolhimento, havendo, ainda, dificuldade em efetivar os cuidados em SM na Atenção Básica (AB). Conclui-se que a complexidade da atenção em SM para crianças e adolescentes impõe a necessidade de continuidade de estratégias de fortalecimento da AB e de ações intersetoriais visando uma clínica ampliada. (AU)

El objetivo fue comprender las dificultades y potencialidades de una red de Salud Mental (SM) para niños y adolescentes, identificando cómo los profesionales entienden y operacionalizan los principios de la política de SM para la niñez y adolescencia. Se realizaron cinco Grupos Focales, en los que participaron 43 trabajadores. Se utilizó el análisis léxico a través del software Iramuteq, originando cuatro clases: "¿Qué es ser niño y adolescente?"; "¿Qué padecen los niños y adolescentes?"; "Sobre la relación entre servicios" y "Potencialidades y desafíos de la Red de Salud Mental". Se identificaron dificultades a la hora de compartir los cuidados, articulando la red para fuera de sí. El Capsij se percibe como una prioridad para la acogida, existiendo aún dificultades para implementar los cuidados en SM en Atención Primaria (AP). Se concluye que la complejidad de la atención en SM para niños y adolescentes impone la necesidad de continuidad de las estrategias de fortalecimiento de la AP y de acciones intersectoriales, visando una clínica ampliada. (AU)

Concepções de idosos com hipertensão e/ou diabetes sobre qualidade de vida / Concepciones de las personas mayores con hipertensión y/o diabetes sobre la calidad de vida / Conceptions of elderly people with hypertension and/or diabetes about quality of life

RESUMO O objetivo deste estudo foi compreender as concepções de qualidade de vida de idosos portadores de hipertensão arterial sistêmica e diabetes mellitus tipo II. Trata-se de um estudo exploratório-descritivo de abordagem qualitativa, e a estratégia de coleta de dados foi a técnica de Grupo Focal. Os dados foram analisados usando o programa de análise qualitativa - QDA miner e interpretados através da análise de conteúdo, proposta por Bardin. Os dados revelaram duas categorias: 'Concepções de Qualidade de Vida', que aponta para os elementos que atravessam a compreensão que os idosos têm da qualidade de vida e 'Relação entre Qualidade de vida e doença crônica', como a vivência da doença crônica está associada à qualidade de vida. Os dados indicam que as concepções de qualidade de vida de idosos com hipertensão arterial e diabetes mellitus passam pelo processo de convivência com a doença crônica, enfatizando a importância de fatores subjetivos, especialmente os recursos psicológicos e sociais dos idosos, que auxiliam no enfrentamento dos efeitos negativos das condições crônicas que interferem na qualidade de vida.

RESUMEN El objetivo de este estudio fue comprender las concepciones de cualidad de vida de ancianos con hipertensión arterial y diabetes mellitus. Se trata de un estudio exploratorio-descriptivo de enfoque cual itativo y la estrategia para la recolección de datos fue la técnica de Grupo Focal. Los datos se analizaron usando el programa de análisis cualitativo-QDA miner e interpretados a través del análisis de contenidos propuesta por Bardin. Los datos revelaron dos categorías: "'concepciones de calidad de vida", ', que señala los elementos que pasan por la comprensión que los ancianos tienen de calidad de vida y "'la relación calidad de vida y enfermedad crónica" ' - cómo la experiencia de la enfermedad crónicas se asocia con la calidad de vida. Los datos indicaron que las concepciones de cualidad de vida de ancianos con hipertensión arterial y diabetes mellitus pasan por el proceso de convivencia con la enfermedad crónica enfatizando la importancia de factores subjetivos especialmente los recursos psicológicos y sociales de los ancianos que ayudan en el enfrentamiento de los efectos negativos de las condiciones crónicas que interfieren en la cualidad de vida.

ABSTRACT The aim of this study was to understand the quality of life concepts in elderly people who suffers from arterial hypertension and diabetes mellitus. It is a descriptive and exploratory study with qualitative approach, the data collection strategy was Focus Group Interviews. The software QDA Miner was used for qualitative data analysis and the Content Analysis Method proposed by Bardin was used for data interpretation. The data had disclosed two categories: 'concepts of quality of life', pointing to the elements that go through the understanding that the elderly have of the quality of life, and 'relation between quality of life andchronic illness' - how the experience of chronic disease is associated with quality of life. Data had indicated that the quality of life concepts in this population are related to the way they live with the chronic illness. The subjective factors are very important concerning the elderly people life with the chronic illness, mainly their psychological and social resources, that help them to fight the negative effects of chronic illness conditions in the quality of life.

Conception of workers in a municipal health network about the service-management relationship / Concepção dos Trabalhadores de uma Rede Municipal de Saúde sobre a Relação Serviço-Gestão / Concepción de los trabajadores de una red de salud municipal sobre la relación servicio-gestión

The objective of this work was to understand the conceptions of health professionals about the relationship between management and the different services that constitute the public health network of a municipality in the southeastern region of Brazil. It used the Focus Group (FG) technique for data collection. Three FG were held with an average of 12 participants per meeting, totaling 38 participants. The Lexical Descending Hierarchical Classification analysis was applied with the support of the Iramuteq software. The results outlined four classes: Management-Service Relationship; Daily challenges of services; Sustainability of work in the territory and Prioritization of the user. The relationship between health services and management was marked by hierarchical practices. However, it was possible to verify that there are expectations regarding the establishment of a transversal relationship. Collective spaces and user participation in care management are considered as important elements for co-management. (AU)

Objetivou-se compreender as concepções de profissionais de saúde sobre a relação de uma gerência com os diversos serviços que compõem a rede de saúde pública de um município da região sudeste do Brasil. Utilizou-se da técnica do Grupo Focal (GF) para a coleta de dados. Foram realizados três GF com a composição média de 12 participantes por encontro, totalizando 38 participantes. Seguiu-se com a análise lexical do tipo Classificação Hierárquica Descendente com o auxílio do software Iramuteq. Os resultados delinearam quatro classes: "Relação Gestão-Serviço"; "Desafios cotidianos dos serviços"; "Sustentação do trabalho no território" e "Priorização do usuário". O estudo indica que a relação serviços-gestão é marcada por práticas hierarquizadas. Contudo, foi possível verificar que existem expectativas em torno da instauração de uma relação transversalizada. Pondera-se os espaços coletivos e a participação dos usuários na gestão do cuidado como elementos importantes para a cogestão. (AU)

El objetivo de este trabajo fue comprender las concepciones de los profesionales de la salud sobre la relación entre la gestión y los diferentes servicios que componen la red pública de salud de un municipio de la región sudeste de Brasil. Se utilizó la técnica de Grupo Focal (GF) para la recolección de datos. Se realizaron tres GF con un promedio de 12 participantes por reunión, totalizando 38 participantes. Un análisis léxico de Clasificación Jerárquica Descendente fue aplicado con el apoyo del software Iramuteq. Los resultados distinguieron cuatro clases: "Relación Gestión-Servicio"; "Retos cotidianos del servicio"; "Sostenibilidad del trabajo en el territorio" y "Priorización de usuario". El estudio indicó que la relación entre los servicios de salud y la gestión está marcada por prácticas jerárquicas. Sin embargo, se pudo constatar que existen expectativas en cuanto al establecimiento de una relación transversal. Los espacios colectivos y la participación de los usuarios en la gestión de la atención se consideran elementos importantes para la cogestión. (AU)

Nutrition education incorporation into mainstream primary school curriculum in Ghana: Stakeholders' sources of nutrition information and perceived barriers.

INTRODUCTION: Nutrition literacy has been cited as a crucial life skill. Nutrition education as a primary school subject has been treated inconsequentially when compared to other subjects. We investigated an aspect of the current state of nutrition education in Ghana by engaging stakeholders about their sources of nutrition information and the perceived barriers in implementing nutrition education in mainstream primary schools. METHODS: Three hundred and fifty one (351) primary school children, 121 homebased caregivers, six schoolteachers, two headteachers, two Ghana Education Service (GES) officials, and six school cooks were involved in the study. Surveys were used to collect data on nutrition information acquisition behaviors and to record perceived barriers. Key Informant Interviews were conducted among GES officials, headteachers, schoolteachers and school cooks, while Focus Group Discussions were used among homebased caregivers and children to gather qualitative information. RESULTS: Only 36.3% of the primary school children had heard about nutrition, and 71% of those got nutrition information from their family members. About 70% of homebased caregivers had heard or seen nutrition messages, and their source of nutrition information was predominantly traditional media. Schoolteachers mostly received their nutrition information from non-governmental organizations and the Internet, while most of the school cooks stated their main source of nutrition information was hospital visits. Perceived barriers included schoolteachers' knowledge insufficiency, and lack of resources to adequately deliver nutrition education. Lack of a clear policy appeared to be an additional barrier. CONCLUSION: The barriers to the implementation of nutrition education in the mainstream curriculum at the primary school level that were identified in this study can be resolved by: providing schoolteachers with learning opportunities and adequate nutrition education resources for practical delivery, having specific national policy framework, and including family members and school cooks in the nutrition education knowledge and information dissemination process.

Self-perception of oral health among tertiary-care users: quanti-qualitative analysis with chronic kidney disease patients

Chronic kidney disease (CKD) has become a global public health challenge. The objective of this study was to analyze the relationship between self-perception of oral health and clinical condition among patients with CKD. This isa quanti-qualitative survey conducted in a CKD specialized service. The sample consisted of 60 patients who underwent oral examinations to have their severity of caries (DMFT) and need for dental prosthesis checked. Age, sex, time on dialysis, marital status, skin color, education and pre-existing diseases were also analyzed. Among the kidney patients who agreed to undergo the clinical examinations and showed communication skills, some were selected, and three focus groups were created, with the participation of a moderator and six to 10 kidney patients in each group. Their speeches were processed in the IRAMUTEQ software and analyzed through the similarity analysis and word cloud techniques. As for profile, the patients were aged 60.23 ± 10.87 years old; were male (73.33%); were on dialysis for 41.90 ± 56.57 months; were married (61.67%); were white (76.67%); had incomplete primary education (41.66%); had arterial hypertension (76.67%); had a DMFT index of 22.55 ± 8.39; 43.33% needed an upper complete denture; and 30.00% needed a lower complete denture. The similarity analysis revealed many doubts and uncertainties about current health services, which can be proven by the words 'no' and 'treatment'. The quanti-qualitative analysis showed a high rate of dental loss and the need for complete dentures and suggests inequities in oral health care for chronic kidney disease patients, especially in tertiary care. There was a positive representation regarding oral health, but the lexicographical analyses of the textual corpusconfirmed the self-perception of lack of dental care.

O olhar de usuários, residentes e trabalhadores sobre uma intervenção em saúde bucal de abordagem comunitária na ESFdo campo / Perspective of users, residents and workers on a community-based oral health intervention in the rural FHS

Objetivou-se analisar uma intervenção de cuidado integral em saúde bucal de abordagem comunitária protagonizada por residentes de Odontologia em Saúde da Família inseridos em duas unidades de saúde do campo de Caruaru/PE, segundo o olhar de profissionais, residentes e usuários. A intervenção englobou diagnóstico e levantamento das necessidades odontológicas, ações coletivas em saúde bucal e ações assistenciais para cárie com tratamento restaurador atraumático. Os grupos-alvo formam escolares e moradores de áreas mais remotas nas unidades de Lagoa de Pedra e de Xicuru. O estudo qualitativo utilizou técnica do grupo focal para coleta dos dados. Três grupos foram constituídos: nove profissionais, seis residentes e oito usuários. As entrevistas seguiram um roteiro com perguntas abertas sobre o cuidado e as tecnologias em saúde bucal empregadas no contexto das populações campesinas e acesso/acessibilidade às unidades de saúde. Os dados foram submetidos à análise de conteúdo. Emergiram duas categorias temáticas: dificuldades de acesso aos cuidados em saúde bucal e satisfação com as ações implementadas. Os participantes dos três grupos avaliaram positivamente a iniciativa de estabelecer relação educativa/assistencial participativa abrindo-se a espaços comunitários e valorizaram o enfoque adotado pela intervenção de saúde bucal no enfrentamento dos problemas limitadores do acesso aos serviços odontológicos e às ações coletivas que relataram. Contudo, desinteresse na continuidade das ações realizadas e contrários às práticas comunitárias em saúde bucal foram relatadas no grupo focal dos profissionais. Considera-se persistir fatores profissionais e de estrutura limitadores à garantia dos direitos de acesso à saúde aos usuários de áreas mais remotas às unidades de saúde (AU).

The aimof this study was to analyze a comprehensivecommunity-basedoral health care intervention carried out by residents of Dentistry in Family Health inserted in two health units in the rural area of the municipalityof Caruaru/PE, according to the perspective of professionals, residents and users. The intervention included diagnosis and assessment of dental needs, collective actions in oral health and actions for caries treatment with atraumatic restorative treatment. Target groupswere composed of schoolchildren and users frommore remote areas included in the health units of Lagoa de Pedra and Xicuru. The qualitative study used the focus group technique for data collection. Three groups were formed: nine professionals, six residents and eight users. Interviews followed a script with open questions about oral health care and technologies used in the context of ruralpopulations and access/accessibility to health units. Data were submitted to content analysis. Two thematic categories emerged: difficulties in accessing oral health care and satisfaction with implemented actions. Participants in the three groups positively evaluated the initiative ofestablishinga participatory educational/care relationship by opening up to community spaces and valued the approach adopted by the oral health intervention in dealing with problems that limit access to dental services and the reported collective actions. However, lack of interest in the continuity of actions carried out and contrary to community practices in oral health were reported in the focus group of professionals. There ispersistent presence of professional and structural factors that limit the guarantee of access to health ofusers frommore remote areas included inhealth units.

A vivência do medo por estudantes universitários durante a pandemia de Covid-19 / La vivencia del miedo por estudiantes universitarios durante la pandemia de Covid-19 / The experience of fear by university students during the Covid-19 pandemic

RESUMO Objetivo: compreender a vivência do medo por estudantes universitários durante a pandemia de COVID-19. Métodos: estudo exploratório, qualitativo, realizado com 16 estudantes matriculados em instituições de ensino superior brasileiras. Os dados foram coletados em junho de 2020, através de grupo focal realizado virtualmente, utilizando-se um roteiro semiestruturado com questões norteadoras. A partir da análise de conteúdo, modalidade temática, emergiram as categorias: Medo do desconhecido e suas repercussões na vida de estudantes universitários e viver daqui por diante: desafios impostos pela pandemia e semelhanças com experiências anteriores. Resultados: a pandemia de COVID-19 simbolizava o novo, evidenciado pelo sentimento de medo dos participantes frente ao imprevisível, à solidão, ao sofrimento e à finitude humana. As narrativas mostraram mudanças no viver dos estudantes universitários. Conclusão: apesar de seu ineditismo, a vivência da pandemia encontrou semelhanças em experiências pregressas de eventos estressores que possibilitaram aos participantes aprender e desenvolver sua capacidade de resiliência.

RESUMEN Objetivo: comprender la vivencia del miedo por estudiantes universitarios durante la pandemia de COVID-19. Métodos: estudio exploratorio, cualitativo, realizado con 16 estudiantes inscriptos en instituciones de enseñanza superior brasileñas. Los datos fueron recolectados en junio de 2020, a través de un grupo focal realizado virtualmente, utilizando una guion semiestructurado con cuestiones orientadoras. A partir del análisis de contenido, modalidad temática, surgieron las categorías: Miedo a lo desconocido y sus repercusiones en la vida de estudiantes universitários y Vivir de aquí en adelante: desafíos impuestos por la pandemia y semejanzas con experiencias anteriores. Resultados: la pandemia de COVID-19 simbolizaba lo nuevo, evidenciado por el sentimiento de miedo de los participantes frente a lo impredecible, a la soledad, al sufrimiento y a la finitud humana. Los relatos mostraron cambios en el vivir de los estudiantes universitarios. Conclusión: pese su carácter inédito, la vivencia de la pandemia encontró similitudes en experiencias anteriores de eventos estresantes que permitieron a los participantes aprender y desarrollar su capacidad de resiliencia.

ABSTRACT Objective: aprehending the experience of fear by university students during the Covid-19 pandemic. Methods: an exploratory, qualitative study conducted with 16 students enrolled in Brazilian higher education institutions. Data were collected in June 2020 through a virtually performed focus group using a semi-structured script with north-section questions. From the content analysis, thematic modality, the following categories emerged: Fear of the unknown and its repercussions on the lives of university students and Living going forward: challenges imposed by the pandemic and similarities with previous experiences. Results: the Covid-19 pandemic symbolized the new, evidenced by the participants' feeling of fear in the face of the unpredictable, loneliness, suffering and human finitude. The narratives showed changes in the lives of university students. Conclusion: despite its originality, the experience of the pandemic found similarities in previous experiences of stressful events that allowed participants to learn and develop their resilience.