Identification of health-related problems in youth: a mixed methods feasibility study evaluating the Youth Health Report System.

BACKGROUND: Because poor health in youth risk affecting their entry in adulthood, improved methods for their early identification are needed. Health and welfare technology is widely accepted by youth populations, presenting a potential method for identifying their health problems. However, healthcare technology must be evidence-based. Specifically, feasibility studies contribute valuable information prior to more complex effects-based research. The current study assessed the process, resource, management, and scientific feasibility of the Youth Health Report System prototype, developed within a youth health clinic context in advance of an intervention study. METHODS: This mixed-methods feasibility study was conducted in a clinical setting. The process, resource, management, and scientific feasibility of the Youth Health Report System were investigated, as recommended in the literature. Participants were youth aged 16-23 years old, attending a youth health clinic, and healthcare professionals from three clinics. The youth participants used their smart phones to respond to Youth Health Report System health questions and healthcare professionals used their computer to access the results and for registration system entries. Qualitative data were collected from interviews with healthcare professionals, which were described with thematic analysis. Youth participants' quantitative Youth Health Report System data were analyzed for descriptive statistics. RESULTS: Feasibility analysis of qualitative data from interviews with 11 healthcare professionals resulted in three themes: We expected it could be hard; Information and routines helped but time was an issue; and The electronic case report form was valuable in the health assessment. Qualitative data were collected from the Youth Health Report System. A total of 54 youth participants completed the evaluation questionnaire, and healthcare professionals retrieved information from, and made post-appointment system entries. Quantitative results revealed few missing items and acceptable data variability. An assessment template of merged qualitative and quantitative data guided a consensus discussion among the researchers, resulting in acceptable feasibility. CONCLUSIONS: The process-, resource-, management-, and scientific feasibility aspects were acceptable, with some modifications, strengthening the potential for a successful Youth Health Report System intervention study.

Introducing a triage and Nurse on Call model in primary health care - a focus group study of health care staff's experiences.

BACKGROUND: With the increased demand for health care services and with simultaneous staff shortages, new work models are needed in primary health care. In November 2015, a Swedish primary health care centre introduced a work model consisting of a structured patient sorting system with triage and Nurse on Call. The aim of this study was to describe the staff's experiences of introducing the triage and Nurse on Call model at the primary health care centre. METHODS: Five focus group discussions with staff (n = 39) were conducted 4 years after the introduction of the work model. Groups were divided by profession: medical secretaries, nursing assistants, physicians, primary health care nurses, and registered nurses. The transcribed text from the discussions was analysed using qualitative inductive content analysis. RESULTS: The analysis generated one overarching theme: The introduction of triage and Nurse on Call addresses changed preconditions in primary health care, but the work culture, organization, and acquisition of new knowledge are lagging behind. The overarching theme had five categories: (1) Changed preconditions in primary health care motivate new work models; (2) The triage and Nurse on Call model improves teamwork and may increase the quality of care; (3) Unclear purpose and vague leadership make introducing the work model difficult; (4) Difficulties to adopt the work model as it challenges professional autonomy; and (5) The triage and Nurse on Call model requires more knowledge and competence from nurses in primary health care. CONCLUSIONS: This study contributes with knowledge about implications of a new work model in primary health care from the perspective of health care staff. The work model using triage and Nurse on Call in primary health care was perceived by participants to increase availability and optimize the use of resources. However, before introduction of new work models, it is important to identify barriers to and facilitators for successful improvements in the local health care context. Additional education for the health care staff is important if the transition is to be successful. Complementary skills and teamwork, supported by a facilitator seems important to ensure a well-prepared workforce.

Process evaluation of an implementation intervention to facilitate the use of the Swedish Physical Activity on Prescription in primary healthcare.

BACKGROUND: The Swedish Physical Activity on Prescription (PAP-S) is a method for healthcare to promote physical activity for prevention and treatment of health disorders. Despite scientific support and education campaigns, the use has been low. The aim of this study was to perform a process evaluation of an implementation intervention targeting the use of the PAP-S method in primary healthcare (PHC). Specifically, we wanted to evaluate feasibility of the implementation intervention, and its effect on the implementation process and the outcome (number of PAP-S prescriptions). METHODS: This was a longitudinal study using the Medical Research Council guidance for process evaluation of a 9-month implementation intervention among healthcare staff at three PHC centres in Sweden. Data was collected by: participatory observations of the implementation process; questionnaires to the staff before, after and 6 months after the implementation intervention; interviews after the implementation intervention; and number of PAP-S prescriptions. RESULTS: During the implementation intervention, the workplaces' readiness-to-change and the healthcare staff's confidence in using the PAP-S method were favourably influenced, as was the number of PAP-S prescriptions. After the implementation intervention, the number of PAP-S prescriptions decreased to about the same number as before the implementation intervention, at two out of three PHC centres. Four of the six implementation strategies appeared to impact on the implementation process: external facilitation; leadership engagement by a committed workplace management; local PAP-S coordinator taking a leading role and acting as local champion; educational outreach concerning how to use the PAP-S method. CONCLUSION: The implementation intervention was not sufficient to produce sustained change of the healthcare staff's behaviour, nor did it achieve favourable long-term outcome on the number of PAP-S prescriptions. The healthcare staffs' sparse knowledge of the PAP-S method prior to the implementation intervention hampered the implementation. More hands-on education in how to use the PAP-S method introduced early in the implementation process is imperative for successful implementation of the PAP-S method. The findings also suggest that committed workplace management and local PAP-S coordinators, taking leading roles and acting as local champions, need to be firmly established at the PHC centres before the external facilitator withdraws. TRIAL REGISTRATION: Registered in the ISRCTN registry with study registration number: ISRCTN15551042 (Registration date: 12/01/2016).

Development and Evaluation of eHealth Services Regarding Accessibility: Scoping Literature Review.

BACKGROUND: Accessibility is acknowledged as a key to inclusion in the Convention of Rights for People with Disabilities. An inaccessible design can result in exclusion from eHealth and cause disability among people who have impairments. OBJECTIVE: This scoping literature review aimed to investigate how eHealth services have been developed and evaluated regarding accessibility for people with impairments. METHODS: In line with Arksey and O'Malley's framework for scoping studies and using the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses extension for Scoping Reviews (PRISMA-ScR), we conducted a search in 4 databases (PubMed, Scopus, IEEE, and Web of Science) in October 2020 and an update of the search in June 2022. The search strategy was structured according to the PICO model as follows: Population/Problem, digital accessibility for users with impairment; Intervention, health care delivered by any digital solution; Comparison, not applicable; Outcome, use of and adherence to (1) Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG), (2) other accessibility guidelines, and (3) other means, for designing or evaluating accessibility in eHealth services. A Boolean search was conducted by combining terms related to accessibility and eHealth. All authors participated in screening abstracts according to the eligibility criteria. Each publication, containing a potentially relevant abstract, was read (full text) and assessed for eligibility by 2 authors independently and pairwise. Publications deemed eligible were read by all authors and discussed for consensus. RESULTS: A total of 8643 publications were identified. After abstract screening, 131 publications remained for full-text reading. Of those, 116 publications were excluded as they did not meet the eligibility criteria. Fifteen publications involving studies of 12 eHealth services were included in the study. Of the 15 publications, 2 provided a definition of accessibility, 5 provided an explanation of accessibility, and 8 did not provide any explanation. Five publications used the WCAG to evaluate accessibility when developing eHealth services. One publication used International Organization for Standardization (ISO) 29138, ISO 2941, and ISO/International Electrotechnical Commission (IEC) 30071-1 standards together with the Spanish Association for Standardization (UNE) 139803 standard. Eleven publications used other means to address accessibility, including text-level grading; literature review about accessibility; user tests, focus groups, interviews, and design workshops with target groups of patients, relatives, and health care professionals; and comparative analysis of existing technical solutions to provide information about useful requirements. CONCLUSIONS: Although a clear definition of accessibility can enhance operationalization and thus measurability when evaluating accessibility in eHealth services, accessibility was insufficiently defined in most of the included studies. Further, accessibility guidelines and standards were used to a very limited extent in the development and evaluation of eHealth services. Guidelines for developing complex interventions that include guidance for accessibility are motivated to ensure that accessibility will be considered systematically in eHealth services.

Promoting Healthy Behaviors Among Adolescents and Young Adults With Intellectual Disability: Protocol for Developing a Digital Intervention With Co-Design Workshops.

BACKGROUND: Intellectual disability (ID) is a neurodevelopmental disorder associated with a poorer health profile and higher mortality. Young people with ID have more sedentary lifestyles than their typically developing peers. Consequently, this group is at significant risk of developing lifestyle diseases (ie, noncommunicable diseases) later in life. Increasing physical activity and eating a healthier diet have been argued to be effective ways to improve the health of adolescents and young adults with ID. Digital interventions are a viable option for improving health behaviors. OBJECTIVE: This research protocol describes a co-design approach using workshops to develop a digital intervention that promotes healthy behaviors, including increasing physical activity and eating a healthier diet, among adolescents and young adults with ID. METHODS: A participatory design using a co-design approach will be applied as a strategy to include potential users of the digital intervention and other stakeholders in the research process, comprising research design, data collection, and data analysis. A total of 7 to 10 workshops will be conducted aimed at developing a digital intervention and will include procedures for assessing needs; facilitators and barriers to health promotion; physical, mental, and social well-being; participation; and relationships. The workshops will include 12 to 18 stakeholders with experience of clinical practice and research related to young people with ID, including relatives, as well as adolescents and young adults (aged 16-25 years) with mild to moderate ID. Participants will perform a mixture of individual and group work using whiteboards, sticky notes, felt-tip pens, cards, balls, stickers, and wireframe templates. Data analysis will take place concurrently with data collection as an iterative process. Transcribed data from the audio and video recordings of the groups' discussions will be analyzed following a qualitative methodological procedure. RESULTS: This study protocol provides a systematic record of the scientific methodologies used when developing the digital intervention and provides insights into the potential practical solutions and challenges when following a co-design approach in which relatives and professionals, as well as adolescents and young adults with ID, are included as research partners. Recruitment of participants started in April 2023. Data collection, analysis, and reporting will be completed in December 2023. CONCLUSIONS: This study will explore the effectiveness of workshops at gathering rich, reliable, and valid data in a co-design approach with participants. The results will provide increased knowledge in how to use technology to develop novel, evidence-based, and scalable interventions that adolescents and young adults with ID can and want to use to motivate physical activity and a healthier diet. The project will provide a simple and cognitively accessible digital solution for promoting lifestyle behaviors tailored to the needs of adolescents and young adults with ID. INTERNATIONAL REGISTERED REPORT IDENTIFIER (IRRID): PRR1-10.2196/47877.

Self-management from the perspective of people with stroke - An interview study.

OBJECTIVE: Self-management support can improve quality of life, mood, self-efficacy, and physical function following a stroke. Knowledge of how people with stroke understand and experience self-management in different contexts is crucial to developing effective self-management support. This study explored how people with stroke understand and practice self-management during the post-acute phase. METHOD: A descriptive study using qualitative content analysis to explore data from semistructured interviews RESULTS: Eighteen participants were interviewed. Most participants interpreted self-management as 'taking care of their business' and 'being independent". However, they encountered difficulties performing daily activities, for which they felt unprepared. Although interest in implementing self-management support increases, participants did not report receiving specific advice from healthcare professionals. CONCLUSION: People continue to feel unprepared to manage everyday activities after hospital discharge and must largely work things out for themselves. There is an overlooked opportunity to start the process of self-management support earlier in the stroke pathway, with healthcare professionals and people with stroke combining their skills, ideas and expertise. This would enable confidence to self-management to flourish rather than decrease during the transition from hospital to home. PRACTICAL IMPLICATIONS: Individual tailored self-management support could help people with stroke more successfully manage their daily lives post-stroke.

The experiences and the meaning of using MyTime in the preschool context from the perspective of children in need of special support, 5-6 years of age.

BACKGROUND: Children in need of special support often display delays in time processing ability, affecting everyday functioning. MyTime is an intervention programme for systematic training of time processing ability. To support preschool children's development of time processing ability and everyday functioning, it is necessary to include their perspectives of the MyTime intervention programme. A previous study shows that MyTime is feasible with children in the preschool setting and shows positive effects on time processing ability for older children in special schools. Yet, there is a lack of knowledge regarding how preschool children experience the intervention programme and how they understand its meaning. The aim of this study was to explore the experiences and the meaning of using MyTime from the perspective of children with informal needs of special support (INS) 5-6 years of age in the preschool context. METHODS: To explore the children's perspectives, video-recorded interviews with 21 children were analysed hermeneutically. To facilitate the interview situation with the children in need of special support, the Talking Mats© was used. Both body and spoken languages were analysed. RESULTS: The results reveal children as active participants, willing to share their experiences of using the MyTime intervention in the preschool context. The conceptualization of the children's experiences and expressions uncovers their meaning of using the MyTime intervention as to know and to understand time by doing. CONCLUSIONS: When children are given the opportunity to use concrete tools to understand and measure time, they experience themselves as active participants involved and engaged in the intervention. They reveal meaningful experiences to be able to manage time that facilitate their everyday functioning and participation in the preschool context.

Training and support for the role of facilitator in implementation of innovations in health and community care: a scoping review protocol.

BACKGROUND: Implementing and sustaining innovations in clinical practice, such as evidence-based practices, programmes, and policies, is frequently described as challenging. Facilitation as a strategy for supporting implementation requires a facilitator, i.e. an individual with a designated role to support the implementation process. A growing number of studies report that facilitation can help tackle the challenges in implementation efforts. To optimise the potential contribution of facilitation as a strategy to improve the implementation of new practices, there is a need to enhance understanding about what training and support is required for individuals in the facilitator role. The objective of this scoping review is to map how facilitators have been trained for, and supported in, the facilitator role in implementation studies in health and community care. Specifically, the review aims to examine what is reported on training and support of facilitators in terms of learning outcomes, content, dose, mode of delivery, learning activities, and qualifications of the trainers and how the facilitators perceive training and support. METHODS: This scoping review will follow the guidance of the Joanna Briggs Institute and the PRISMA Extension for Scoping Review checklist. We will include articles in which (a) facilitation is deployed as an implementation strategy, with identified facilitator roles targeting staff and managers, to support the implementation of specified innovations in health or community care, and (b) training and/or support of facilitators is reported. We will exclude articles where facilitation is directed to education or training in specific clinical procedures or if facilitation supports the implementation of general quality improvement systems. All types of peer-reviewed studies and study protocols published in English will be included. A systematic search will be performed in MEDLINE (Ovid), Embase (embase.com), Web of Science Core Collection, and CINAHL (Ebsco). DISCUSSION: The proposed scoping review will provide a systematic mapping of the literature on the training and support of implementation facilitators and contribute useful knowledge within the field of implementation science to inform future facilitation initiatives. SYSTEMATIC REVIEW REGISTRATION: Registered at Open Science Framework (registration https://doi.org/10.17605/OSF.IO/M6NPQ ).

Disability digital divide: survey of accessibility of eHealth services as perceived by people with and without impairment.

BACKGROUND: Sustainable and effective eHealth requires accessibility for everyone. Little is known about how accessibility of eHealth is perceived among people with various impairments. The aim of this study was to compare use and perceived difficulty in the use of eHealth among people with and without impairment, and how different types of impairment were associated with perceived difficulty in the use of eHealth. METHODS: This study used data collected in a nationwide survey in Sweden. Snowball sampling was used to recruit participants with self-reported impairment, from June to October 2019. In February 2020, the survey was posted to people in the general population who were matched to the participants with impairment by age, gender and county of residence. Multiple logistic regression was used to analyse the use of four eHealth services, and perceived difficulty in the use of six eHealth services. RESULTS: In total, 1631 participants with, and 1084 participants without impairment responded to the survey. Participants with impairment reported less use and more difficulty in the use of all eHealth services as compared to participants without impairment. When comparing types of impairment, booking healthcare appointments online was least used and most avoided by participants with communication, language and calculation impairments (adjusted odds ratio (aOR) use 0.64, 95% confidence interval (95%CI) 0.49-0.83; aOR avoid 1.64, 95%CI 1.19-2.27), and intellectual impairments (aOR use 0.28, 95%CI 0.20-0.39; aOR avoid 2.88, 95%CI 1.86-4.45). The Swedish national web-portal for health information and services, 1177.se, was reported difficult to use the most among participants with communication, language and calculation impairments (aOR 2.24, 95%CI 1.50-3.36), deaf-blindness (aOR 11.24, 95%CI 3.49-36.23) and hearing impairment (aOR 2.50, 95%CI 1.17-5.35). CONCLUSIONS: The results confirm the existence of an eHealth disability digital divide. People with impairment were not one homogeneous group, but differed in perceived difficulties in regard to eHealth. Based on a purposeful subgrouping of impairments, we showed that people with communication, language and calculation impairments, and intellectual impairments, reported least use and most difficulty in using eHealth. The findings can guide further research in creating eHealth that is accessible for all, including those with the most significant difficulties.

Tailoring and Evaluating an Intervention to Support Self-management After Stroke: Protocol for a Multi-case, Mixed Methods Comparison Study.

BACKGROUND: Self-management programs are recognized as a valuable approach to supporting people with long-term conditions, such as stroke, in managing their daily lives. Bridges Self-Management (Bridges) focuses on how practitioners interact and support patients' confidence, skills, and knowledge, and it is an example of a complex intervention. Bridges has been developed and used across multiple health care pathways in the United Kingdom and is theoretically informed by social cognition theory and self-efficacy principles. Evidence shows that self-management programs based on the construct of self-efficacy can be effective. There is still much to learn about how health care services or pathways should implement support for self-management in a sustainable way and whether this implementation process is different depending on the context or culture of the team or service provided. OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study is to tailor and evaluate an intervention (Bridges) to support self-management after stroke in a Swedish context. METHODS: We will use a pretest-posttest design with a case study approach to evaluate the feasibility and implementation of self-management support in two stroke settings. This project includes a complex intervention and depends on the actions of individuals, different contexts, and the adaptation of behavior over time. A mixed methods approach was chosen to understand both outcomes and mechanisms of impact. Data collection will comprise outcome measurements and assessment tools as well as qualitative interviews. Data will be collected concurrently and integrated into a mixed methods design. RESULTS: Recruitment and data collection for the first site of the project ran from September 1, 2021, to January 17, 2022. The intervention at the first site was conducted from November 1, 2021, to March 5, 2022. The evaluation will start after the implementation phase. The second site has been recruited, and the baseline data collection will start in spring 2022. The intervention will start in early autumn 2022. Data collection will be completed by the end of 2022. CONCLUSIONS: This study represents a unique, highly relevant, and innovative opportunity to maximize knowledge and minimize practice gaps in rehabilitation stroke care. The study will produce robust data on the intervention and in-depth data on the contextual factors and mechanisms related to the feasibility of the intervention and for whom it is feasible. Bridges has been used in the United Kingdom for more than 10 years, and this study will explore its contextualization and implementation within a Swedish stroke environment. The evaluation will study results at the patient, staff, and organizational levels and provide recommendations for the adoption and refinement of future efforts to support self-management. INTERNATIONAL REGISTERED REPORT IDENTIFIER (IRRID): DERR1-10.2196/37672.

Pain self-management intervention supports successful attainment of self-selected rehabilitation goals-secondary analysis of a randomized controlled trial.

OBJECTIVES: (i) Describe patients' self-selected activity-related rehabilitation goals, and (ii) compare attainment of these rehabilitation goals among people with persistent tension-type neck pain receiving a group-based pain and stress self-management intervention (PASS) or individual physiotherapy (IPT). METHODS: Before intervention and random allocation to PASS or IPT, 156 people (PASS n = 77, IPT n = 79), listed three self-selected activity-related rehabilitation goals by use of the Patient Goal Priority Questionnaire (PGPQ). For each activity goal, participants rated limitations in activity performance, self-efficacy and fear of activity performance, readiness to change to improve performance, and expectations of future activity performance. At follow-ups (10 weeks, 20 weeks, 1 year and 2 years after inclusion), participants also responded to a question on changes made to improve activity performance. Mann-Whitney U test was used to evaluate between-group differences. RESULTS: There were between-group differences in favour of PASS in the attainment of self-selected rehabilitation goals with regard to activity limitations and satisfaction with activity performance at all follow-ups. CONCLUSIONS: PASS was more successful than IPT for the attainment of self-selected rehabilitation goals, improvements in activity limitations and satisfaction with activity performance as measured by PGPQ. The PASS programme emphasized the importance of applying active pain- and stress-coping techniques in personal 'risk situations' for pain flare-ups, which appear to support people with persistent tension-type neck pain to make changes in their lives to improve activity performance. PATIENT OR PUBLIC CONTRIBUTION: Patient engagement in rehabilitation by self-selected goals was investigated, but patients were not involved in the design or conduct of the study.

From chaos to control - experiences of healthcare workers during the early phase of the COVID-19 pandemic: a focus group study.

BACKGROUND: The Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic has caused overwhelming challenges to healthcare systems worldwide. Healthcare workers (HCWs) have faced particular challenges: being exposed to the coronavirus SARS-CoV-2 and caring for patients having a new and potentially life-threatening disease. The aim of this study was to explore how HCWs in the Swedish healthcare system perceived their work situation during the first phase of the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020. METHODS: Focus group discussions and interviews with HCWs were performed from June to October 2020 in one Swedish healthcare region. A purposeful sampling approach was used to select a variety of professions (physicians, nurses, nurse aides and cleaners) and workplaces (hospital inpatient wards, emergency department, nursing home and home care service). Qualitative content analysis was used for data analysis. RESULTS: In total, 51 HCWs participated in eight focus group discussions and one HCW participated in an individual interview. The content analysis identified two main categories: 'Concerns about the risk of infection and transmission of infection to others', and 'Transition from chaos to managing in a new and challenging work situation'. The findings revealed how HCWs perceived working conditions, including experiences of fear for personal health, confusion and uncertainty regarding personal protective equipment and infection prevention and control (PPE/IPC), and fear of infecting others. Both fearful and appreciating attitudes were achieved from the surrounding community. Helpful strategies for transition from chaos to control were lifted i.e. present and supportive leadership, and finding comfort and strength in the working team. Both helplessness and meaningfulness were described when caring for COVID-19 patients. CONCLUSIONS: This study provides unique insights into HCWs experiences of an extremely challenging work situation during the first phase of the COVID-19 pandemic, including feelings of stress and insecurity in a chaotic and hazardous working environment. But there is also mitigation of these challenges and even positive experiences including feelings of safety and meaningfulness. To enhance safety among HCWs in healthcare crises such as the COVID-19 pandemic, the findings highlight the importance of avoiding confusion about PPE/IPC, having a supportive healthcare leadership and ensuring accurate information provision about virus transmission to the public.

Physical activity, post-traumatic stress disorder, and exposure to torture among asylum seekers in Sweden: a cross-sectional study.

BACKGROUND: Forced migrant populations have high rates of trauma-related ill health, including post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). Physical activity (PA) is well-established as an effective stress reliever, while insufficient PA is associated with adverse effects on both mental and physical health. The aim of this study was to examine the prevalence of different levels of PA and its association with PTSD symptom severity, controlled for exposure to torture, among asylum seekers in Sweden. METHODS: A cross-sectional survey study, with data from 455 asylum seekers, originating from Afghanistan, Eritrea, Iraq, Somalia, and Syria, residing at large housing facilities across Sweden. Level of PA was assessed by the Exercise Vital Sign and categorized as; Inactive, Insufficient PA, and Sufficient PA. Prevalence estimates for proportions of different levels of PA were calculated. Analysis of variance were conducted to determine the association between levels of PA and PTSD symptom severity, measured by the Harvard Trauma Questionnaire. Multivariable logistic regression analysis was performed to determine the contribution of PA on PTSD beyond sex, age, and exposure to torture. RESULTS: About half of the participants (53.3, 95% CI: 48.6-58.1) met the recommendations for Sufficient PA. One third of the participants (33.3, 95% CI: 28.7-37.8) were insufficiently engaged in PA, and 13.4% (95% CI: 10.1-16.7) were inactive. There was a significant difference in PTSD symptom severity between groups of asylum seekers with different levels of PA (F(2, 316) = 23.15, p < .001). When controlling for sex, age, and exposure to torture, Sufficient PA was found to be associated with less PTSD symptom severity compared to both Insufficient PA (B = 0.297, SE = 0.086, p < .001) and Inactive (B = 0.789, SE = 0.104, p < .001). CONCLUSIONS: Insufficient PA was common among the asylum seekers and our findings suggest that more PA is highly associated with lower PTSD symptom severity. An increased focus on assessment and promotion of PA is justified and discussed as particularly pertinent considering the much extended time of asylum-seeking processes. The results support previous evidence of PA as a potentially important factor in the context of PTSD and forced migrants' health.

The Meaning of Sedentary Behavior as Experienced by People in the Transition From Working Life to Retirement: An Empirical Phenomenological Study.

OBJECTIVE: Sedentary behavior (SB) is defined as a mean of >6 hours of daytime sitting or lying down. SB has been shown to increase with older age and is a risk factor for disease. During the transition from working life to retirement, changes in daily life activities occur, risking increased SB. The aim of the present study was to gain a deeper understanding of SB in relation to the transition from working life to retirement as experienced by persons in retirement. METHODS: The study was grounded in a phenomenological life-world perspective. Fourteen semi-structured interviews were conducted with participants aged 64 to 75 years. Data were analyzed using the empirical phenomenological psychological method. RESULTS: The participants described that voluntary sedentary time was positively related to general health and well-being, whereas involuntary sedentary time was negatively related to health. Increased sedentary time was described as natural when aging. Retirement was expressed as a time for rest after hard work and the ability to choose a slower pace in life. Internal and external demands and daily routines interrupted SB, whereas loneliness was perceived to increase SB. Participants strived to find a balance between physical activity and sedentary time. The variations in the participants' descriptions formed 3 typologies: in light of meaningful SB, in the shadow of involuntary SB, and a dual process-postponing SB with physical activity. CONCLUSION: Increased SB was perceived as natural when aging but something that may be postponed by conscious choices. SB was perceived as associated with health, rest, and recovery but also with the risk of deteriorating health. IMPACT: This knowledge of the experienced meaning of SB could guide the design of health promotion interventions and may be helpful in targeting those in need of support and individualizing interventions to decrease SB in retirement. LAY SUMMARY: This study reveals how persons in retirement describe sedentary behavior as something healthy but also as unhealthy and that sedentary behavior is natural in aging and can be postponed by physical activity.

Predictors of Disability Attributed to Symptoms of Increased Interrecti Distance in Women after Childbirth: An Observational Study.

OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this study was to investigate how various physical and psychological factors are linked to disability attributed to symptoms from increased interrecti distance (IRD) in women after childbirth. METHODS: In this cross-sectional observational study, 141 women with an IRD of at least 2 finger-widths and whose youngest child was between the ages of 1 and 8 years participated. A multiple linear regression model was performed, with disability as the outcome variable and fear-avoidance beliefs, emotional distress, body mass index, lumbopelvic pain, IRD, and physical activity level as predictor variables. RESULTS: The regression model accounted for 60% (R2 = 0.604, adjusted R2 = 0.586) of the variance in disability (F6,132 = 33.5). The 2 strongest predictors were lumbopelvic pain, with a regression coefficient of 1.4 (95% CI = 1.017 to 1.877), and fear avoidance, with a regression coefficient of 0.421 (95% CI = 0.287 to 0.555). The actual IRD, with a regression coefficient of -0.133 (95% CI = -1.154 to 0.888), did not contribute significantly to the variation in disability. CONCLUSION: Disability attributed to symptoms from an increased IRD is explained primarily by the level of lumbopelvic pain but also by the degree of fear-avoidance beliefs and emotional distress. IMPACT: This study highlights pain intensity and psychological factors as crucial factors for understanding disability attributed to increased IRD.

Women's experiences of living with increased inter-recti distance after childbirth: an interview study.

BACKGROUND: Although an increased inter-recti distance, also known as diastasis recti, is common after pregnancy, evidence-based knowledge about the condition is relatively limited. In particular, little is known about the consequences as perceived by the women. The objective of the present study was to describe how postpartum women with increased inter-recti distance experience the condition as well as the contacts they have had with healthcare providers regarding their symptoms. METHODS: A purposeful sampling approach was used to recruit 19 participants from an existing study cohort of 144 women. All participants had an inter-recti distance of at least two finger widths and at least one child, with the youngest child between the ages of 1 and 6 years. Individual interviews based on a semi-structured interview guide were performed and subsequently analysed using qualitative content analysis. RESULTS: Four categories emerged from the interviews: the body's function and ability has changed; the body does not look like it used to; uncomprehending attitudes and treatment in their surroundings; and trying to acquire an understanding of and strategies to cope with the diastasis. The findings reveal that women with increased inter-recti distance might experience fear of movement and engage in avoidance behaviour. In combination with feelings of physical instability in the midsection of their bodies and body dissatisfaction, many of the women restrict their everyday lives and physical activities. CONCLUSIONS: The findings indicate that increased inter-recti distance is a complex phenomenon that affects the women in a multitude of ways, highlighting the importance of considering the condition for each individual in her own context from a biopsychosocial perspective.

Elderly women's experiences of self-sampling for HPV testing.

BACKGROUND: Self-sampling for HPV testing, as an alternative to the conventional speculum based sampling, is highly acceptable to women of screening ages. The aim of this study was to describe older women's (60 to 75 years) experiences of self-sampling. METHODS: In Sweden a descriptive study with quantitative and qualitative methods was designed to collect data from a survey of women who participated in self-sampling for HPV testing. Individual interviews were done with women who tested positive in the first self-sampling, and were either negative in their second HPV test or were positive in their second HPV test, but without precancerous lesions or cancer. RESULTS: Of 893 eligible women, 868 (97.2%) answered the survey. Among the surveyed women, 49.2% reported it was very easy to perform self-sampling, 46.8% answered it was easy and 2.0% answered it was not easy. A majority (58.9%) answered that they prefer self-sampling, 16.5% that they prefer sample collection by a healthcare provider, 23.7% did not have any preference and 0.9% did not answer the question. In the interviews, 13 of 16 invited women participated. Most of them reported that they prefer self-sampling because it was easy to perform, less embarrassing and less time consuming than a visit to a clinic. The majority of women reported that they were not worried when informed about having an HPV positive test. Overall, participating women with better knowledge about the significance of an HPV infection were more worried about having a positive HPV test. CONCLUSION: Cervical cancer remains a highly preventable disease through screening and early treatment. Our results indicated that vaginal self-sampling for HPV testing was a well-accepted method for cervical cancer prevention in this group of older women. TRIAL REGISTRATION: https://www.researchweb.org/is/en/fouckfuu/project/272587. Registered 24 June 2019-retrospectively registered. www.researchweb.org.

Physiotherapists' and midwives' views of increased inter recti abdominis distance and its management in women after childbirth.

BACKGROUND: Physiotherapists and midwives in primary healthcare often encounter women with an increased separation between the two rectus abdominis muscle bellies after pregnancy, a so-called increased inter recti distance (IRD). There are few studies on the contribution of increased IRD to the explanation of post-partum health complaints, and very little guidance in the literature for health professionals on the management of increased IRD. The aim of this study was to describe how physiotherapists and midwives in primary healthcare perceive the phenomenon of increased IRD and its management in women after childbirth. METHODS: A purposeful sampling approach was used to select physiotherapists and midwives working in primary healthcare in three large county council healthcare organisations in Sweden having experience of encountering women with increased IRD after pregnancy. Sixteen physiotherapists and midwives participated in focus group discussions. Four focus groups with four participants in each were undertaken. A semi-structured topic guide was used to explore responses to the research questions and the discussions were analysed using qualitative content analysis. RESULTS: We identified an overarching theme: Ambivalence towards the phenomenon increased IRD and frustration over insufficient professional knowledge. The theme included three categories: Uncertainty concerning the significance of increased IRD as a causal factor for functional problems; perceived insufficient professional knowledge base for the management of increased IRD; and lack of inter-professional collaboration and teamwork in the management of patients with increased IRD. Due to sparse and somewhat contradictory research findings and absence of clinical guidelines, the health professionals lacked basic preconditions for applying an evidence-based practice concerning increased IRD. They obtained their information about increased IRD from the media and fitness coaches, and hence were somewhat unsure about what to believe regarding the phenomenon. CONCLUSIONS: There was no consensus among the health professionals on how to best approach increased IRD in the clinical setting. Our findings stress the importance of more research to increase the professional knowledge base among physiotherapists and midwives. The findings highlight the urgent need for policies and clinical guidelines advising health professionals in the management of increased IRD and for facilitating inter-professional collaboration and teamwork.

Trauma-afflicted refugees' experiences of participating in physical activity and exercise treatment: a qualitative study based on focus group discussions.

Background: Refugees with prolonged and repeated experiences of trauma, often in combination with post-migration living difficulties, are subjected to severe levels of stress and stress-related ill health, including post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). Physical activity (PA) is well-established as an effective stress reliever. However, the effect of PA and exercise has received scarce attention in the context of PTSD, and particularly in the field of refugees' health. Objective: The objective of this study was to explore the experience of participation in PA and exercise as part of the treatment for trauma-afflicted refugees. Method: An explorative qualitative research design was used. Six focus group discussions were conducted with 33 female and male participants that had experience of group-based PA and exercise treatment. The gathered data was analysed by qualitative content analysis. Results: The analysis resulted in one over-arching theme reflecting the participants overall experience of PA and exercise as a process of building resilience. Participants experienced improvements in both physical and mental health domains. Increased self-awareness and self-confidence were seen as additional important benefits, and the interruption of daily stressors provided a sense of relief and recovery. The treatment group settings were experienced as becoming a vehicle for overcoming social fear and isolation, which also carried an empowering and strength-building impact over to participants' family life and social relationships. Treatment characteristics were experienced as highly supportive and often referred to as the basis of other positive experiences and perceived health benefits. Conclusions: The result of this study outlines a detailed account of trauma-afflicted refugees' experiences and preferences of PA and exercise-based treatment from a broad range of perspectives. These findings provide a starting point for future research in this field and indicate a particular need for both research and intervention development to include the real-life impact of participating in such treatments.

Antecedentes: Los refugiados que presentar experiencias traumáticas prolongadas y repetidas, a menudo en combinación con dificultades de vida post migratorias, están sometidos a niveles severos de estrés y de mala salud relacionada con el estrés, incluido el trastorno de estrés postraumático (TEPT). La actividad física (PA por sus siglas en inglés) es una manera bien establecida y efectiva de aliviar el estrés. Sin embargo, el efecto de la PA y el ejercicio ha recibido escasa atención en el contexto del TEPT, particularmente en el campo de la salud de refugiados.Objetivo: el objetivo de este estudio fue explorar la experiencia de participación en PA y ejercicio como parte del tratamiento en refugiados afectados por el trauma.Método: se utilizó un diseño de investigación exploratoria cualitativa. Se condujeron discusiones en 6 grupos focales con 33 participantes femeninos y masculinos que habían experimentado el tratamiento de PA y ejercicio. Los datos recolectados fueron analizados por un análisis de contenido cualitativo.Resultados: Los análisis resultaron en una temática general que reflejaba la experiencia global de los participantes de la PA y el ejercicio como un proceso de construcción de resiliencia. Los participantes experimentaron mejoría en dominios tanto de salud mental como física. El incremento de la auto-conciencia y la confianza en sí mismo fueron vistos como beneficios adicionales importantes, y la interrupción de estresores diarios llevó a un sentimiento de alivio y recuperación. El setting de tratamiento grupal fue experimentado como un vehículo para superar el miedo social y el aislamiento, lo que llevó a un impacto de empoderamiento y construcción de fortaleza en la vida familiar y relaciones sociales de los participantes. Las características del tratamiento fueron experimentadas como de alto nivel de apoyo y en muchas ocasiones referida como la base de otras experiencias positivas y beneficios de salud percibidos.Conclusiones: El resultado de este estudio destaca un relato detallado de las experiencias y preferencias de refugiados afectados por el trauma en los tratamientos basados en PA y ejercicio desde un rango amplio de perspectivas. Estos hallazgos proveen de un punto de partida para investigación futura en este campo e indica una particular necesidad tanto para investigación como para el desarrollo de intervenciones para incluir el impacto en la vida real de participar en tales tratamientos.