Intercontinental translatability of a peer-led GP education model from New Zealand to the UK: a pilot study.

BACKGROUND: Pegasus Small Group education for GPs is a professional development programme that has been delivered in Canterbury, New Zealand for over 30 years. Peer-developed content is delivered in small groups supporting interactive discussions informed by evidence and locally relevant data. AIM: An international collaboration between South Tyneside Clinical Commissioning Group in the UK and Pegasus Health in Canterbury, New Zealand aimed to determine whether the Canterbury model of Small Group professional development for GPs was transferrable to the South Tyneside context. DESIGN & SETTING: This was a pilot qualitative study testing proof of concept for the Pegasus Small Group GP education model of professional development in another country. METHOD: To test the concept, three pilot sessions on persistent pain, screening, and optimising treatment were delivered between November 2021 and March 2022. Four UK GPs were trained as Small Group leaders, and a member of the Pegasus team liaised with various UK GPs in South Tyneside to adapt topics for the local context. The use of videoconferencing (Microsoft Teams and Zoom) to deliver support, training, and the programme itself had been developed and refined during the COVID-19 pandemic, so that it could be run entirely online without losing its core components or interactive nature. RESULTS: Of the 68 registered GPs, 31, 50, and 61 GPs attended the three sessions, respectively, 90% of whom rated the overall quality as good or excellent. These results and other positive feedback from attendees provided a mandate for a further extension of the programme over the following months. CONCLUSION: The pilot proved the potential for health systems to collaborate globally despite geographical distance. A wider evaluation to assess the impact of the education initiative is needed to determine the impact on patient care and to demonstrate the benefits of supporting the small group peer education model.

Continuing professional development in the COVID-19 era: evolution of the Pegasus Health Small Group model.

Background and context This paper outlines the process of moving a continuing education programme for primary healthcare professionals from a fully in-person model to fully online so it could continue during coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) lockdowns. The programme uses a peer-led Small Group model with the leader facilitating interactive discussion based on background content researched by a team from Pegasus Health. Assessment of problem When the COVID-19 restrictions were implemented in March 2020, the usual in-person Small Group meetings could not continue. Rather than allowing the programme to lapse, a new format was needed. Strategies for improvement In response, the Pegasus Health team transitioned the programme to an eSmall Group model using Zoom. Training packages were developed and disseminated online and the interactive, real-time nature of the programme retained. eSmall Groups began in May and were evaluated late in 2020. Results The online format was strongly supported, though some attendees missed the collegiality of meeting in-person. From 2021, attendees could opt for either online, in-person, or a summer/winter split between in-person and online. The ability to return to fully online was retained, allowing a seamless transition during the periods of further restrictions that followed in 2021-22. Lessons learnt The Small Group model has evolved to a multi-format programme that suits individual preferences, but can respond to pandemic or emergency situations if needed. It continues to have a high level of engagement among primary healthcare professionals.

Psychological predictors of seasonal influenza vaccination uptake among adults with a high-risk physical health condition: a systematic review.

OBJECTIVE: This review tested the use of psychological theories for predicting seasonal influenza vaccination behaviour among adults with a health condition (for which the vaccine is clinically indicated). METHODS: Ovid (1946-August 2018), Embase (1974-August 2018), CINAHL (1958-August 2018) and PSYCInfo (1986-August 2018) databases were searched. Studies drawing upon a psychosocial or psychological theory to explain seasonal influenza vaccination behaviour among adults with a high-risk health condition were eligible for inclusion. Papers were systematically extracted by title, abstract and full text. Quantitative and qualitative studies were included, and all papers were quality assessed. RESULTS: A total of 4840 papers were identified after removal of duplicates. Twelve papers were retained in the narrative synthesis. Studies were conducted across a range of high-risk condition populations and most (83.3%) were cross-sectional. The Health Belief Model (HBM), the model of Psychological Flexibility, The Health Action Process Approach and House's Framework of Social Support were applied. Ten out of 12 papers (83.3%) drew on the HBM. CONCLUSION: There was evidence of an association between HBM perceived benefits, perceived barriers and vaccination behaviour, although there were inconsistencies across studies. This review highlighted the need for further research, particularly prospective studies of high methodological quality.

Predicting and understanding seasonal influenza vaccination behaviour among forensic mental health inpatients.

OBJECTIVES: This study aimed to identify demographic and psychological predictors of seasonal influenza vaccination intentions and behaviour among a sample of inpatients in a secure forensic mental health service. It also sought to explore patient experiences about being offered the vaccine. DESIGN: This study used a mixed-methods design. The quantitative element employed a prospective design using a questionnaire; both cross-sectional and prospective findings are reported. For the qualitative part of the study, semi-structured interviews were conducted and analysed using Interpretative Phenomenological Analysis (IPA). MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Seasonal influenza vaccination intentions and behaviour. RESULTS: Past behaviour, vaccine knowledge and cues to action were predictors of vaccination intention (N = 57). Cues to action remained as the only statistical predictor of vaccination behaviour (N = 55). Nine interviews were conducted with four vaccinated and five unvaccinated participants. Three main themes were formed in the IPA analysis; these were 'Managing Decisional Conflict', 'Interaction with Immune Function' and 'The Role of Others'. CONCLUSIONS: The results highlighted the integral role of health professionals in shaping patient's vaccination behaviour within a secure mental health setting. Recommendations for vaccination promotion strategies were offered.