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.

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)

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.

Construção de fluxograma e protocolo de enfermagem para manejo da sífilis na atenção primária em saúde / Construcción de flujograma y protocolo de enfermería para el manejo de la sífilis en la atención primaria de salud / Construction of a nursing flowchart and protocol for syphilis management in primary health care

RESUMO Introdução: a sífilis é uma doença facilmente tratável, porém, no Brasil, ainda é um problema de saúde pública. Objetivo: construir um fluxograma e um protocolo para manejo da sífilis em adultos na Atenção Primária à Saúde. Método: pesquisa quanti-qualitativa, desenvolvida em 2019, realizada com 42 enfermeiros da Atenção Primária à Saúde de um município no oeste catarinense. Para a etapa quantitativa aplicou-se um questionário autoaplicado, embasado nos protocolos vigentes do Ministério da Saúde. A etapa qualitativa ocorreu por meio de uma pesquisa participativa do tipo pesquisa-ação com oito dos 42 enfermeiros. Estes, em dois grupos focais, produziram coletivamente um fluxograma e um protocolo de manejo da sífilis em adultos e, posteriormente, após análise do material construído, validaram os documentos, por meio de análise de conteúdo, resultando em 100% de concordância. Resultados: os produtos construídos representam a descrição das melhores práticas profissionais a serem seguidas. O fluxograma apresenta as etapas no manejo, e o protocolo descreve as atividades que envolvem o atendimento relacionado à doença nos adultos atendidos na Atenção Primária à Saúde do município. Considerações finais: a construção do fluxograma e do protocolo atenderam as necessidades dos profissionais da saúde, na qualificação do atendimento às pessoas com sífilis no município.

RESUMEN Introducción: la sífilis es una enfermedad fácilmente tratable, sin embargo, en Brasil, todavía es un problema de salud pública. Objetivo: construir un flujograma y un protocolo para el manejo de la sífilis en adultos en la Atención Primaria de Salud. Método: investigación cuanti-cualitativa, desarrollada en 2019, realizada con 42 enfermeros de la Atención Primaria de Salud de un municipio en el oeste catarinense, Brasil. Para la etapa cuantitativa se aplicó un cuestionario autoaplicado, basado en los protocolos vigentes del Ministerio de Salud. La etapa cualitativa ocurrió por medio de una investigación del tipo acción participativa con ocho de los 42 enfermeros. Estos, en dos grupos focales, produjeron colectivamente un flujograma y un protocolo de manejo de la sífilis en adultos y, posteriormente, tras el análisis del material construido, validaron los documentos, por medio de análisis de contenido, resultando en un 100% de concordancia. Resultados: los productos construidos representan la descripción de las mejores prácticas profesionales a seguir. El flujograma presenta las etapas en el manejo, y el protocolo describe las actividades que involucran la atención relacionada con la enfermedad en los adultos atendidos en la Atención Primaria de Salud del municipio. Consideraciones finales: la construcción del flujograma y del protocolo atendieron las necesidades de los profesionales de la salud, en la calificación de la atención a las personas con sífilis en el municipio.

ABSTRACT Introduction: syphilis is an easily treatable disease, even though it is still a public health problem in Brazil. Objective: to build a flowchart and a protocol for syphilis management in adults in Primary Health Care. Method: quantitative-qualitative study of 42 Primary Health Care nurses from a municipality in western Santa Catarina performed in 2019. In the quantitative stage, a self-administered questionnaire based on the current protocols of the Ministry of Health was applied. The qualitative stage was performed through participatory action research with eight out of 42 nurses. In two focus groups, they collectively produced a flowchart and a protocol for the management of syphilis in adults. After analyzing the constructed material, they validated the documents through content analysis, resulting in 100% agreement. Results: the products built describe the best professional practices to be followed. The flowchart presents the steps in the management, and the protocol describes the activities involving the care related to the disease in adults treated in Primary Health Care of the municipality. Final considerations: the construction of the flowchart and the protocol met the needs of health professionals in the qualification of care for people with syphilis in the municipality.

Educação permanente em saúde como prática possível: uma experiência na atenção primária / Educación permanente en salud como práctica posible: experiencia en atención primaria / Permanent health education as a possible practice: an experience in primary care

RESUMO Objetivo: descrever o processo de análise de necessidades, execução e avaliação de um programa educativo na Atenção Primária à Saúde, na lógica da Educação Permanente em Saúde (EPS). Método: pesquisa-ação com abordagem mista, desenvolvida entre 2014 e 2016, com trabalhadores da saúde. A coleta de dados ocorreu nos encontros de grupo focal, oficinas do programa educativo e aplicação de questionários. Os dados qualitativos foram submetidos à análise de discurso do sujeito coletivo, e os dados quantitativos, à análise estatística descritiva. Resultados: a necessidade priorizada foi a comunicação prejudicada no ambiente de trabalho; e, durante a execução do programa educativo, os participantes pactuaram acordos para superação dos problemas identificados, a exemplo da criação de espaços de diálogo e fluxos definidos de comunicação. Sentiram-se satisfeitos em participar, e percebeu-se que o programa educativo causou impacto positivo no trabalho. Considerações finais: o objetivo de descrever todo processo da EPS foi alcançado. Houve maior estímulo para um movimento de transformação no processo de trabalho, em referência ao aprimoramento da comunicação na dimensão profissional da gestão do cuidado, a partir de um paradigma dialógico e crítico, capaz de ressignificar o processo de ensino-aprendizagem no trabalho. Como produto, tem-se um modo mais efetivo de operar a EPS.

RESUMEN Objetivo: describir el proceso de análisis de necesidades, ejecución y evaluación de un programa educativo en la Atención Primaria de Salud, en la lógica de la Educación Permanente en Salud (EPS). Método: investigación-acción con enfoque mixto, desarrollada entre 2014 y 2016, con trabajadores de la salud. La recolección de datos tuvo lugar en los encuentros de grupo focal, talleres del programa educativo y aplicación de cuestionarios. Los datos cualitativos fueron sometidos al análisis de discurso del sujeto colectivo, y los datos cuantitativos, al análisis estadístico descriptivo. Resultados: la necesidad priorizada fue la comunicación perjudicada en el ambiente de trabajo; y, durante la ejecución del programa educativo, los participantes pactaron acuerdos para superar los problemas identificados, a ejemplo de la creación de espacios de diálogo y flujos definidos de comunicación. Se sintieron satisfechos de participar, y se percibió que el programa educativo causó impacto positivo en el trabajo. Consideraciones finales: el objetivo de describir todo el proceso de EPS fue alcanzado. Hubo mayor estímulo para un movimiento de transformación en el proceso de trabajo, en referencia al perfeccionamiento de la comunicación en la dimensión profesional de la gestión del cuidado, a partir de un paradigma dialógico y crítico, capaz de resignificar el proceso de enseñanza-aprendizaje en el trabajo. Como producto, se tiene un modo más efectivo de operar la EPS.

ABSTRACT Objective: to describe the process of needs analysis, execution and evaluation of an educational program in Primary Health Care, in the logic of Permanent Health Education (PHE). Method: action research with mixed approach, developed between 2014 and 2016, with health workers. Data collection occurred in focus group meetings, educational program workshops and questionnaire application. The qualitative data were submitted to discourse analysis of the collective subject, and quantitative data were submitted to descriptive statistical analysis. Results: the prioritized need was impaired communication in the work environment; and, during the implementation of the educational programme, participants agreed agreements to overcome the identified problems, such as the creation of dialogue spaces and defined communication flows. They were satisfied to participate, and it was noticed that the educational program had a positive impact on the work. Final considerations: the objective of describing the entire Process of PHE was achieved. There was a greater stimulus for a movement of transformation in the work process, in reference to the improvement of communication in the professional dimension of care management, from a dialogical and critical paradigm, capable of resignifying the teaching-learning process at work. As a product, there is a more effective way to operate PHE.

Encouraging Mammograms Using Behavioral Economics: A Randomized Controlled Trial in Chile.

OBJECTIVES: This article illustrates the effect of a direct mail campaign that used insights from behavioral economics and psychology to increase the number of free mammograms in Chilean women aged 50 years or older. METHODS: We hypothesized 4 barriers in obtaining a mammogram based on previous literature and focus group analysis. A behavioral economic approach providing incentives was used to help overcome these barriers. We accessed a unique data set, which comprised 12 000 women 50 years old or older, with private health insurance who have not had a mammogram for 24 or more months. We conducted a randomized controlled trial with 8 treatments, each involving a specific combination of messages. RESULTS: The intervention overall led to a 167% increase in the use of free mammograms, a 1.13% to 3.03% average increase from the control to treatment groups, respectively. Regarding barriers, we found that all messages were effective, with a slightly larger and persistent effect for the less complex ones in terms of information. This finding illustrates the benefits of keeping the message simple. CONCLUSIONS: Finally, these results suggest a successful public policy for increasing use of free mammography programs. Moreover, they are potentially transferable because the study considered decision-making heuristics that are not specific to one culture or social context.

Illness-related burden, personal resources and need for support in patients with acromegaly: Results of a focus group analysis.

OBJECTIVE: It was the aim of this study to evaluate illness-related burdens and support needs of patients with acromegaly to identify hitherto unadressed research questions and to open up avenues for improvements in patient care. This was done by using the focus group approach as a qualitative research method. DESIGN: Seven patients with acromegaly took part in a focus group moderated by an external medical communication specialist. The discourse focused on topics such as impact of the illness on everyday life, support needs and personal resources. The discussion was recorded and transcribed and analyzed by qualitative content analysis. RESULTS: Participants reported a huge impact of acromegaly on daily life, ranging from time expenditure for managing their illness, to bodily and mental sequelae and strain caused by physical disfigurement. Patients' coping strategies included family support, physical activities and humor. The participants wished for a sound patient-doctor relationship, more interdisciplinary and holistic treatment, medical rehabilitation services with special knowledge on acromegaly-related morbidity, a stable contact person in the medical process and reliable information material for themselves and their relatives. CONCLUSIONS: The results provide multi-facetted impressions of the overwhelming impact of acromegaly and unmet support needs of the afflicted patients. Further quantitative research is necessary to examine the generalisibility of the present results in order to implement tailored support measures. We suggest to develop standardized questionnaires to explore the prevalence and severity of the addressed problems in a large patient sample and to establish screening instruments to monitor disease burden in clinical practice.

Transgender-Competent Health Care: Lessons from the Community.

OBJECTIVES: Transgender (trans) individuals experience high discrimination levels when accessing medical and mental health care, resulting in poorer health outcomes compared with the general population and other minority populations. A community-based research design was used to elicit direct input from the trans community about critical trans-knowledgeable care components to address these disparities. The data collection included several focus groups with individuals recruited from the trans community. The information from this research guided the opening of the Gender Center, a centralized, multidisciplinary center of care for trans individuals within an urban safety-net hospital in Atlanta, Georgia. METHODS: The research team conducted five focus groups with 27 self-identified trans individuals between December 2016 and April 2017. Focus groups solicited the negative and positive experiences of trans individuals in the healthcare system and sought input about how best to serve this population. RESULTS: Analysis was done January through April 2020. Focus group participants identified financial difficulties, lack of insurance coverage, being underinsured, discrimination within the healthcare system and from providers, and a shortage of trans-competent providers as the most significant barriers to care. Participants emphasized the need to pay attention to creating a welcoming clinic environment, including trans-positive signage, and integrating trans staff members into the care team. CONCLUSIONS: This study demonstrates the importance of community-based research in addressing health disparities for trans people. It also offers insight into the unmet healthcare needs of the trans community, describes typical healthcare-related experiences of trans individuals, and identifies critical elements for providing high-quality trans-appropriate health care.

Mixed Methods Study of Nurse Assessment of Patient Preferences for Engagement During Hospitalization.

BACKGROUND: Global healthcare initiatives emphasize the importance of engaging patients in their healthcare to improve patients' experience and outcomes. Assessing patient preferences for engagement is critical, as there are many ways patients can engage in their care and preferences vary across individuals. OBJECTIVE: The primary purpose of this study was to evaluate the effect of implementation of the Patient Preferences for Engagement Tool 13-Item Short Form (PPET13) during hospitalization on patient and nurse experience of engagement. Readmissions and emergency department (ED) usage within 30 days postdischarge were also examined. METHODS: The mixed methods study was conducted within two medical units in the United States between December 2018 and May 2019. Preimplementation group patients completed a demographic survey and the Patient Experience of Engagement Survey (PEES) on discharge. Implementation group patients completed the PPET13 within 24 hours of admission with their nurse and the demographic survey and PEES on discharge. A focus group with nurses who implemented the PPET13 was conducted following the implementation period. Data analysis included confirmatory factor analysis, multiple and logistic regression, and qualitative content analysis. RESULTS: There was significant improvement in PEES scores during the implementation phase. The PEES score was a significant predictor of ED visits, but not 30-day readmissions. Nurses were not always certain how to best integrate patient preferences for engagement into their care delivery and suggested integrating the PPET13 into the electronic health record to assist with streamlining the assessment and communicating preferences across the care team. DISCUSSION: Assessing patients' preferences for engagement using the PPET13 was associated with an improved experience of engagement, which was found to mediate the relationship between utilization of PPET13 and ED usage within 30 days postdischarge. Use of a patient engagement preference tool, such as the PPET13, can help inform the delivery of individualized engagement strategies to improve patient and family engagement and outcomes; however, nurses need formalized education on how to tailor their care to meet the individual engagement preferences of their patients.

'If relevant, yes; if not, no': General practitioner (GP) users and GP perceptions about asking ethnicity questions in Irish general practice: A qualitative analysis using Normalization Process Theory.

CONTEXT: The use of ethnic identifiers in health systems is recommended in several European countries as a means to identify and address heath inequities. There are barriers to implementation that have not been researched. OBJECTIVE: This study examines whether and how ethnicity data can be collected in Irish general practices in a meaningful and acceptable way. METHODS: Qualitative case study data generation was informed by Normalization Process Theory (NPT) constructs about 'sense' making and 'engagement'. It consisted of individual interviews and focus group discussions based on visual participatory techniques. There were 70 informants, including 62 general practitioner (GP) users of diverse ethnic backgrounds recruited through community organisations and eight GPs identified through an inter-agency steering group. Data were analysed according to principles of thematic analysis using NPT. RESULTS: The link between ethnicity and health was often considered relevant because GP users grasped connections with genetic (skin colour, lactose intolerance), geographic (prevalence of disease, early years exposure), behavioural (culture/food) and social determinant (housing) factors. The link was less clear with religion. There was some scepticism and questions about how the collection of data would benefit GP consultations and concerns regarding confidentiality and the actual uses of these data (e.g. risk of discrimination, social control). For GPs, the main theme discussed was relevance: what added value would it bring to their consultations and was it was their role to collect these data? Their biggest concern was about data protection issues in light of the European Union (EU) General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR). The difficulty in explaining a complex concept such as 'ethnicity' in the limited time available in consultations was also worrying. CONCLUSIONS: Implementation of an ethnicity identifier in Irish general practices will require a strong rationale that makes sense to GP users, and specific measures to ensure that its benefits outweigh any potential harm. This is in line with both our participants' views and the EU GDPR.

Perceptions of student accoucheurs regarding gender inequality in midwifery training at Free State maternal healthcare institutions.

BACKGROUND: Worldwide, gender inequality has been a dominating factor in the training of student accoucheurs in most maternal healthcare institutions. This poses challenges for the maternal healthcare institutions where student accoucheurs are placed for clinical practice as most women become reluctant or refuse to accept their services. Gender inequality has a negative impact on the training of student accoucheurs as most of them become demotivated which could lead to a high attrition rate. OBJECTIVES: This study explored and described the perceptions of student accoucheurs regarding gender inequality in midwifery training at the Free State maternal healthcare institutions. METHOD: An explorative and descriptive qualitative research design was undertaken. There were 40 student accoucheurs that formed 10 focus group discussions. Each focus group discussion had four participants. Tesch's eight-steps of data analysis was used to analyse data. RESULTS: Three major themes emerged during data analysis: meeting the training requirements in midwifery, women's autonomy in a choice of healthcare provider versus student accoucheurs' autonomy to be trained in midwifery and staff establishment to render maternal healthcare. CONCLUSION: The participants perceived prejudice, rejection and resistance by women in maternity units as a contributing factor to gender inequality, which has a negative impact on their training in midwifery. The study recommends that health directorates, nurse managers and training institutions should consider revising maternal healthcare policies regarding the recruitment and placement of willing accoucheurs in maternity units in order to address gender inequality.

Integrating human-centred design into the development of an intervention to improve the mental wellbeing of young women in the perinatal period: the Catalyst project.

BACKGROUND: Mental wellbeing during pregnancy and the year after birth is critical to a range of maternal and infant outcomes. Many mental health interventions fail to incorporate stakeholder perspectives. The Catalyst Project aimed to work with key stakeholders in Mozambique to develop interventions and delivery strategies which were in-line with existing evidence and the needs, goals, and priorities of those both directly and indirectly involved in its success. METHODS: A qualitative, human-centred design approach was utilised. Focus-group discussions, individual interviews, and observations with young women (aged 16-24 years), their families, community leaders, service providers and government were used to better understand the needs, priorities and challenges to mental wellbeing of young women. These findings were triangulated with the literature to determine priority challenges to be addressed by an intervention. Stakeholder workshops were held to identify potential solutions and co-develop an intervention and delivery strategy. RESULTS: The 65 participants comprised 23 young pregnant women or new mothers, 12 family members, 19 service providers and 11 staff from the Ministry of Health. Participants highlighted significant uncertainty related to living situations, financial status, education, social support, and limited knowledge of what to expect of the impact of pregnancy and parenting. Family and community support were identified as an important need among this group. The Mama Felíz (Happy Mama) programme was developed with stakeholders as a course to strengthen pregnancy, childbirth and child development knowledge, and build positive relationships, problem-solving and parenting skills. In addition, family sessions address wider cultural and gender issues which impact adolescent maternal wellbeing. CONCLUSIONS: We have developed an intervention to reduce the risk of poor maternal mental health and gives young mothers hope and skills to make a better life for them and their children by packaging information about the risk and protective factors for maternal mental disorders in a way that appeals to them, their families and service providers. By using human-centred design to understand the needs and priorities of young mothers and the health and community systems in which they live, the resulting intervention and delivery strategy is one that stakeholders view as appropriate and acceptable.

Social and Behavioral Variables in the Electronic Health Record: A Path Forward to Increase Data Quality and Utility.

PURPOSE: Social and behavioral determinants of health (SBDH) are important factors that affect the health of individuals but are not routinely captured in a structured and systematic manner in electronic health records (EHRs). The purpose of this study is to generate recommendations for systematic implementation of SBDH data collection in EHRs through (1) reviewing SBDH conceptual and theoretical frameworks and (2) eliciting stakeholder perspectives on barriers to and facilitators of using SBDH information in the EHR and priorities for data collection. METHOD: The authors reviewed SBDH frameworks to identify key social and behavioral variables and conducted focus groups and interviews with 17 clinicians and researchers at Johns Hopkins Health System between March and May 2018. Transcripts were coded and common themes were extracted to understand the barriers to and facilitators of accessing SBDH information. RESULTS: The authors found that although the frameworks agreed that SBDH affect health outcomes, the lack of model consensus complicates the development of specific recommendations for the prioritization of SBDH data collection. Study participants recognized the importance of SBDH information and individual health and agreed that patient-reported information should be captured, but clinicians and researchers cited different priorities for which variables are most important. For the few SBDH variables that are captured, participants reported that data were often incomplete, unclear, or inconsistent, affecting both researcher and clinician responses to SBDH barriers to health. CONCLUSIONS: Health systems need to identify and prioritize the systematic implementation of collection of a high-impact but limited list of SBDH variables in the EHR. These variables should affect care and be amenable to change and collection should be integrated into clinical workflows. Improved data collection of SBDH variables can lead to a better understanding of how SBDH affect health outcomes and ways to better address underlying health disparities that need urgent action.

VA Home Based Primary Care Teams: Partnering with and Acting as Caregivers for Veterans.

The U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs' Home-Based Primary Care (HBPC) Interdisciplinary Team (IDT) provides in-home, primary care for medically complex Veterans. This study explores how HBPC and Veterans' caregivers partner to provide care. Interviews, focus groups, and field observations were conducted during eight HBPC site visits. Qualitative thematic analysis was performed. Caregivers/IDT member partnerships are important to care. Effective partnerships include: ease of communication; caregiver-centered support; and when no caregiver is present, IDTs providing more monitoring/services to Veterans and connection to community services. As this model expands, understanding dynamics between IDT members and caregivers will optimize the success of HBPC programs.

Home-care nurses' distinctive work: A discourse analysis of what takes precedence in changing healthcare services.

Ongoing changes in many Western countries have resulted in more healthcare services being transferred to municipalities and taking place in patients' homes. This greatly impacts nurses' work in home care, making their work increasingly diverse and demanding. In this study, we explore home-care nursing through a critical discourse analysis of focus group interviews with home-care nurses. Drawing on insights from positioning theory, we discuss the content and delineation of their work and the interweaving of contextual changes. Nurses hold a crucial position in home healthcare, particularly in ensuring care for sicker patients with complex needs. Assessing health needs, performing advanced care, and at the same time, providing customized solutions in various homes were identified as distinctive for home-care nurses' work. Changes have made nurses' work become driven by comprehensive tasks and acute medical needs that require much of their competence and time. Urgent care seems to take precedence in nurses' work, leaving less time and attention for other tasks such as conversations and support for coping with everyday life. This underlines the need to investigate and discuss the content and scope of nurses' work to help shape the further development of home-care nursing.

Examining Fall Risk Assessment in Geriatric Rehabilitation Settings Using Translational Research.

PURPOSE: The objective of this study was to identify gaps in and to improve the falls prevention strategy (FPS) of an inpatient rehabilitation facility (IRF) in Toronto, Canada. DESIGN: A modified version of the Stanford Biodesign Methodology was used. METHODS: Chart reviews, a focus group (n = 8), and semistructured interviews (n = 8) were conducted to evaluate the FPS. FINDINGS: Admission Functional Independence Measure score, age, and gender significantly correlated with risk for a fall. The tool used at this IRF was not effectively capturing patients who were at high risk for falls. All healthcare providers interviewed were knowledgeable of fall risks; however, a patient's fall risk status was rarely discussed as a team. CONCLUSIONS: The findings informed recommendations to improve the overall FPS at this IRF. CLINICAL RELEVANCE: Staff may require more coaching for implementing preventative measures/ensuring accountability and evaluating whether current strategies work. These insights can guide improvement initiatives at similar facilities elsewhere.

Consulting with young people: informing guidelines for children's palliative care.

OBJECTIVE: Increasingly the views of young people are sought when improving healthcare; however, it is unclear how they shape policy or practice. This paper presents a consultation with young people commissioned by the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) to inform clinical guidelines for paediatric palliative care (end-of-life care for infants, children and young people). METHODS: The consultation involved qualitative thematic analysis of data from 14 young people (aged 12-18 years) with a life-limiting or life-threatening condition who took part in focus groups or interviews. The topics explored were predefined by NICE: information and communication; care planning; place of care; and psychological care. Data collection consisted of discussion points and activities using visual cues and was informed by a pilot consultation group with five young adults (aged 19-24 years). Findings were shared with participants, and feedback helped to interpret the findings. RESULTS: Four overarching themes were identified, cutting across the predetermined topic areas: being treated as individuals with individual needs and preferences; quality of care more important than place; emotional well-being; and living as a young person. Importantly, care planning was viewed as a tool to support living well and facilitate good care, and the young people were concerned less about where care happens but who provides this. CONCLUSION: Young people's priorities differ from those of parents and other involved adults. Incorporating their priorities within policy and practice can help to ensure their needs and preferences are met and relevant research topics identified.

Avaliação da atenção primária à saúde e a incorporação da tecnologia da informação para a melhoria da qualidade da avaliação / Evaluation of primary health care and the incorporation of information technology to improve the quality of the evaluation

Apesar da ascendência de avaliações na Atenção Primária à Saúde, com possibilidades para o desenvolvimento de meta-avaliações, bem como, o incremento de investimentos e acesso às Tecnologias da Informação, com aumento de sua aplicabilidade em processos avaliativos, principalmente, para a coleta de dados e disseminação dos resultados, até o momento, são incipientes estudos meta-avaliativos que evidenciem as consequências das relações que se estabelecem entre as tecnologias e os avaliadores na qualidade da avaliação. Utilizando a Scoping Review, o Estudo de Caso e a estrutura conceitual da sociomaterialidade, esta tese procurou contribuir para este campo de pesquisa e para as práticas avaliativas, avaliando a incorporação da Tecnologia da Informação na avaliação da Atenção Primária à Saúde no Brasil considerando os padrões internacionais de qualidade. A Scoping Review teve o objetivo de mapear os usos da meta-avaliação dos estudos avaliativos desenvolvidos na Atenção Primária à Saúde. Foram incluídos 23 estudos, publicados entre 1999 e 2018, predominantemente realizados no Brasil. Tiveram mais ênfase as meta-avaliações somativas, com foco em programas de saúde e na gestão da Atenção Primária, que utilizaram como padrões avaliativos os recomendados pelo Joint Committeeon Standards for Educational Evaluation. O Estudo de Caso teve abordagem qualitativa. Participaram 07 técnicos da coordenação do Ministério da Saúde e 47 pesquisadores de Instituições de Ensino e Pesquisa, com uma amostra total de54 participantes. A coleta de dados ocorreu entre julho de 2018 a julho de 2019, utilizaram-se entrevistas, grupos focais e análise documental. Os dados foram categorizados por padrões de qualidade com uso do software Atlas ti, seguido de análise de conteúdo de Bardin. Para o estudo de caso sobre coleta de dados, os resultados evidenciaram que a tecnologia viabilizou a realização da avaliação em todo território nacional; contribuiu para a operacionalização de uma avaliação com grande escopo temático; forneceu recursos para a gestão da atividade de campo; minimizou erros, agilizou e homogeneizou a coleta; garantiu a integralidade das informações necessárias com o mínimo de inconsistência, permitindo o alcance de resultados uteis e válidos para certificação das equipes, políticas de saúde e pesquisas. Além disto, fatores como dificuldade de manuseio, inoperância do sistema e falta de investimentos em equipamentos e recursos humanos podem representar possíveis restrições para a eficiência da aplicação da tecnologia na avaliação. Quanto ao estudo sobre disseminação dos resultados, constaram-se avanços na visualização dos dados e na implementação de iniciativas de dados abertos, possibilitando sua disponibilidade para profissionais, formuladores de políticas e universidades. Desafios relacionados ao tempo de entrega dos relatórios, restrição de acesso, referência à falta de interesse e habilidades digitais, influenciaram no alcance dos objetivos esperados pelo proponente da avaliação. Considera-se que a incorporação da Tecnologia da Informação tem potencial ao alcance de padrões de qualidade, oportunizando a implementação de avaliações mais eficazes, com a produção de melhores resultados, atuando construtivamente no processo de melhorias de desempenho das equipes de saúde e da gestão, induzindo a redefinição dos seus processos prioritários de trabalho, com vistas ao aprimoramento e fortalecimento da Atenção Primária à Saúde (AU).

Despite the ascendancy of evaluations in Primary Health Care, with possibilities for the development of meta-evaluations, as well as the increase in investments and access to Information Technologies, with an increase in its applicability in evaluation processes, mainly for the collection of data and dissemination of results, so far, are incipient meta-evaluative studies that show the consequences of the relationships established between technologies and evaluators in the quality of the assessment. Using the Scoping Review, the Case Study, and the conceptual structure of sociomateriality, this thesis sought to contribute to this field of research and evaluative practices, evaluating the incorporation of Information Technology in the evaluation of Primary Health Care in Brazil considering international quality standards. The scoping review was developed following the Joanna Briggs Institute manual to map the uses of the meta-evaluation of evaluative studies carried out in Primary Health Care. 23 studies, published between 1999 and 2018, predominantly carried out in Brazil, were included. There was more emphasis on summative meta-evaluations, with a focus on health programs and on the management of Primary Care, which used as evaluative standards those recommended by the Joint Committee on Standards for Educational Evaluation. The Case Study had a qualitative approach. 07 technicians from the coordination of the Ministry of Health and 47 researchers from Education and Research Institutions participated, with a total sample of 54 participants. Data collection took place between July 2018 and July 2019, using interviews, focus groups, and document analysis. Data were categorized by quality standards using the Atlas ti software followed by Bardin's content analysis. For the case study on data collection, the results showed that the technology made it possible to assess the national territory; contributed to the operationalization of an assessment with a large thematic scope; provided resources for field activity management; minimized errors, streamlined and homogenized the collection; ensured the completeness of the necessary information with a minimum of inconsistency, allowing the achievement of useful and valid results for the certification of teams, health policies and research. In addition, factors such as difficulty in handling, inoperability of the system, and lack of investment in equipment and human resources can represent possible restrictions for the efficiency of the application of technology in the assessment. As for the study on the dissemination of results, advances were found in data visualization and the implementation of open data initiatives, enabling its availability to professionals, policymakers and universities. Challenges related to reporting delivery time, access restriction, reference to lack of interest, and digital skills influenced the achievement of the objectives expected by the evaluation proponent. It is considered that the incorporation of Information Technology has the potential to reach quality standards, providing opportunities for the implementation of more effective assessments, with the production of better results, acting constructively in the process of improving the performance of health and management teams, inducing the redefinition of its priority work processes, to improve and strengthen Primary Health Care (AU).

Representações sociais de estudantes de enfermagem sobre a avaliação na aprendizagem ativa / Representaciones sociales de estudiantes de enfermería sobre la evaluación activa del aprendizaje / Social representations of nursing students on the active learning assessment

RESUMO Objetivo: compreender as representações sociais dos estudantes de Enfermagem sobre sua avaliação na aprendizagem ativa. Método: estudo qualitativo, fundamentado na Teoria das Representações Sociais, em uma instituição pública do centro-oeste paulista, a qual utiliza a aprendizagem ativa no processo de ensino. Participaram 20 estudantes da segunda série do curso de Enfermagem, selecionados por amostra intencional pelo fato de terem vivenciado o processo avaliativo na primeira série, por meio de entrevistas semiestruturadas, com uma questão norteadora que versou sobre a compreensão do estudante acerca do processo avaliativo. A análise dos dados foi desenvolvida pelo discurso do sujeito coletivo, a partir das figuras metodológicas: Expressões-chave, ideia central, ancoragem e discurso do sujeito coletivo. Resultados: as representações sociais dos estudantes de Enfermagem sobre o processo avaliativo remeteram a três ideias centrais - perfil e comunicação do estudante; perfil docente; ambiente avaliativo. Conclusão: depreende-se que o processo de avaliação é contínuo, influenciado por características e comportamentos de estudantes e docentes, requer capacitação docente e ambiente propício, o que reafirma a complexidade da prática avaliativa na aprendizagem ativa, bem como a necessidade de investimentos contínuos visando ao seu aperfeiçoamento.

RESUMEN Objetivo: comprender las representaciones sociales de los estudiantes de enfermería sobre su evaluación en el aprendizaje activo. Método: estudio cualitativo, basado en la Teoría de las Representaciones Sociales, en una institución pública del Medio Oeste de São Paulo, que utiliza el aprendizaje activo en el proceso de enseñanza. Participaron 20 estudiantes del segundo grado de la asignatura de Enfermería, seleccionados mediante una muestra intencional por haber vivido el proceso de evaluación en el primer grado, a través de entrevistas semiestructuradas, con una pregunta orientadora que se enfocó en la comprensión del estudiante del proceso de evaluación. El análisis de datos se desarrolló a través del discurso del sujeto colectivo, a partir de las figuras metodológicas: Expresiones clave, idea central, anclaje y discurso del sujeto colectivo. Resultados: las representaciones sociales de los estudiantes de enfermería sobre el proceso de evaluación se refirieron a tres ideas centrales: perfil del estudiante y comunicación; perfil del profesor; ambiente evaluativo. Conclusión: parece que el proceso de evaluación es continuo, influenciado por características y comportamientos de estudiantes y docentes, requiere de la formación docente y un entorno favorable, lo que reafirma la complejidad de la práctica evaluativa en el aprendizaje activo, así como la necesidad de inversiones continuadas encaminadas a su mejora.

ABSTRACT Objective: to understand the social representations of Nursing students about their assessment in active learning. Method: a qualitative study, based on the Theory of Social Representations, in a public institution in the Midwest of São Paulo, which uses active learning in the teaching process. Twenty students from the second grade of the Nursing course participated, selected by an intentional sample because they had experienced the evaluation process in the first grade, through semi-structured interviews, with a guiding question that focused on the student's understanding of the evaluation process. Data analysis was developed through the collective subject discourse, from the methodological figures: Key expressions, central idea, anchorage, and collective subject discourse. Results: the social representations of Nursing students about the evaluation process referred to three central ideas - student profile and communication; teacher profile; evaluative environment. Conclusion: it appears that the evaluation process is continuous, influenced by characteristics and behaviors of students and teachers, requires teacher training and an enabling environment, which reaffirms the complexity of the assessment practice in active learning, as well as the need for continuous investments aimed at its improvement.

Introducing cross-cultural education in palliative care: focus groups with experts on practical strategies.

BACKGROUND: The linguistic and cultural diversity found in European societies creates specific challenges to palliative care clinicians. Patients' heterogeneous habits, beliefs and social situations, and in many cases language barriers, add complexity to clinicians' work. Cross-cultural teaching helps palliative care specialists deal with issues that arise from such diversity. This study aimed to provide interested educators and decision makers with ideas for how to implement cross-cultural training in palliative care. METHODS: We conducted four focus groups in French- and Italian-speaking Switzerland. All groups consisted of a mix of experts in palliative care and/or cross-cultural teaching. The interdisciplinary research team submitted the data for thematic content analysis. RESULTS: Focus-group participants saw a clear need for courses addressing cross-cultural issues in end-of-life care, including in medical disciplines outside of palliative care (e.g. geriatrics, oncology, intensive care). We found that these courses should be embedded in existing training offerings and should appear at all stages of curricula for end-of-life specialists. Two trends emerged related to course content. One focuses on clinicians' acquisition of cultural expertise and tools allowing them to deal with complex situations on their own; the other stresses the importance of clinicians' reflections and learning to collaborate with other professionals in complex situations. These trends evoke recent debates in the literature: the quest for expertise and tools is related to traditional twentieth century work on cross-cultural competence, whereas reflection and collaboration are central to more recent research that promotes cultural sensitivity and humility in clinicians. CONCLUSION: This study offers new insights into cross-cultural courses in palliative and end-of-life care. Basic knowledge on culture in medicine, variable practices related to death and dying, communication techniques, self-reflection on cultural references and aptitude for interprofessional collaboration are central to preparing clinicians in end-of-life settings to work with linguistically and culturally diverse patients.