[Healthcare for premenstrual discomfort patients. Women's perspective]. / Atención sanitaria al malestar premenstrual. La perspectiva de las mujeres.

OBJECTIVE: The prevalence of premenstrual discomfort among Spanish women is very high, and has a negative impact on their quality of life. By adopting the biopsychosocial approach, this study aims to understand women's experiences and insights, delve further into their beliefs and attitudes towards premenstrual syndrome and menstrual suppression, and to identify their proposals in order to adapt healthcare professionals' response to their needs and demands. METHODS: A qualitative study was conducted based on individual in-depth interviews with 16 women located in the Granada region. Purposive sampling was made using theoretical profiles. Informed consent was given. The study included data assessment, investigator triangulation, and a literature review. RESULTS: Premenstrual discomfort has an impact on physical and psychological health, disrupting daily lives and resulting in self-medication. Healthcare is considered deficient, since remedies are limited to medicalisation, but the source of the discomfort is not investigated. Different beliefs about the premenstrual syndrome (PMS) were found: PMS is inherent to menstrual cycle and cannot be avoided; PMS is the result of endogenous factors (such as genetics, defects or biochemical and hormonal disorders); exogenous factors (such as stress, eating habits, or exercise); the science and industry describe and treat PMS as a disease. Menstrual suppression is considered an option by women with children, though there is reticence due to the side effects found. Health education programmes for women are proposed, as well as the appropriate training for health professionals in order to overcome the pharmacological approach. CONCLUSIONS: The biopsychosocial approach helps to determine the perspective of the women, their needs and expectations in order to provide better healthcare services to premenstrual discomfort patients.

Evaluación de un servicio telefónico de prevención y promoción de salud infantil antes de su puesta en funcionamiento / Evaluation of a child health prevention and promotion telephone service before its introduction

Objetivos. Evaluar, antes de su puesta en marcha, un servicio telefónico de información sobre temas de salud pediátricos. Conocer la valoración global del servicio y de la calidad de la información que oferta desde la perspectiva de la población potencialmente usuaria. Método. Diseño: simulación de una llamada telefónica al servicio y valoración posterior con técnicas cualitativas. Emplazamiento: atención primaria y especializada de la ciudad de Granada. Participantes: padres y madres de niños/as entre 0 y 14 años y residentes en Andalucía que no fuesen profesionales sanitarios, localizados a través de servicios de atención primaria y hospitalaria de la ciudad de Granada. Se estudió la valoración global del servicio y la calidad de la información ofertada mediante entrevistas y grupos focales. El número de participantes se estableció con base en dos criterios: evaluación de toda la batería de información elaborada para el servicio telefónico y saturación del discurso. Resultados. La valoración global del servicio fue positiva, destacándose el fácil y rápido acceso a la información, el ahorro de tiempo y la tranquilidad que infunde. La información recibida fue calificada de clara, de fácil comprensión y expresada en un tono respetuoso. Para mejorar el servicio se propone que las llamadas sean gratuitas y que se amplíen los temas sobre los que solicitar información. Conclusiones. La metodología usada es novedosa ya que la mayoría de los servicios telefónicos se evalúan una vez puestos en marcha y sin contar con la participación de los públicos potenciales(AU)

Objectives. To evaluate a telephone-information service on health issues for children before its implementation. To determine the overall assessment of the service and quality of the information available from the perspective of a potential user population. Methods. Design: Simulation of a telephone call to the telephone service and further evaluation using qualitative techniques. Setting: Primary and special care in the city of Granada. Participants: Parents, who were not health professionals, of children between 0 and 14years old, resident in Andalusia and recruited from both primary care and hospitals throughout the city of Granada. A comprehensive assessment of service and quality of information offered through interviews and focus groups. The number of participants was established on two criteria: evaluation of the whole range of information provided by the telephone service; response saturation. Results. The overall service assessment was positive, emphasising the quick and easy access to information, time saving and confidence building. The information received was described as clear, easily understood and expressed in a respectful tone. To improve the service it has been suggested that the calls be free and that the range of information topics available should be extended. Conclusions. The methodology used is novel, as most telephone services are evaluated after they have been put in place and without the participation of the future users(AU)

[Evaluation of a child health prevention and promotion telephone service before its introduction]. / Evaluación de un servicio telefónico de prevención y promoción de salud infantil antes de su puesta en funcionamiento.

OBJECTIVES: To evaluate a telephone-information service on health issues for children before its implementation. To determine the overall assessment of the service and quality of the information available from the perspective of a potential user population. DESIGN: Simulation of a telephone call to the telephone service and further evaluation using qualitative techniques. SETTING: Primary and special care in the city of Granada. PARTICIPANTS: Parents, who were not health professionals, of children between 0 and 14 years old, resident in Andalusia and recruited from both primary care and hospitals throughout the city of Granada. A comprehensive assessment of service and quality of information offered through interviews and focus groups. The number of participants was established on two criteria: evaluation of the whole range of information provided by the telephone service; response saturation. RESULTS: The overall service assessment was positive, emphasising the quick and easy access to information, time saving and confidence building. The information received was described as clear, easily understood and expressed in a respectful tone. To improve the service it has been suggested that the calls be free and that the range of information topics available should be extended. CONCLUSIONS: The methodology used is novel, as most telephone services are evaluated after they have been put in place and without the participation of the future users.