Facilitating stress prevention in micro and small-sized enterprises:Protocol for a mixed method study to evaluate the effectiveness and implementation process of targeted web-based interventions

BACKGROUND: Workplace-related stress is a major risk factor for mental and physical health problems and related sickness absence and productivity loss. Despite evidence regarding the effectiveness of different workplace-based interventions, the implementation of stress prevention interventions is rare, especially in micro and small-sized enterprises (MSE) with fewer than 50 employees. The joint research project “PragmatiKK”(+) aims to identify and address the specific barriers to the implementation of stress prevention interventions in MSE. This study protocol describes a mixed method study design to evaluate the effectiveness of adapted stress prevention interventions and the implementation process via an integrated web-based platform (“System P”) specifically targeted at MSE. METHODS: First, we develop a web-based intervention, which accounts for the specific working conditions in MSE and addresses stress prevention at a structural and behavioral level. Second, we use common methods of implementation research to perform an effect and process evaluation. We analyze the effectiveness of the web-based stress prevention interventions by comparing depressive symptoms at baseline and follow-up (after 6 months and 12 months). Indicators for a successful implementation process include acceptability, adoption, feasibility, reach, dose, and fidelity, which we will measure with quantitative web-based questionnaires and qualitative interviews. We will also analyze the accumulated usage data from the web-based platform. DISCUSSION: Collecting data on the implementation process and the effectiveness of a web-based intervention will help to identify and overcome common barriers to stress prevention in MSE. This can improve the mental health of employees in MSE, which constitute more than 90% of all enterprises in Germany. (+) Full Project Name: „PragmatiKK - Pragmatische Lösungen für die Implementation von Maßnahmen zur Stressprävention in Kleinst- und Kleinbetrieben “(= Pragmatic solutions for the implementation of stress prevention interventions in micro and small-sized enterprises). TRIAL REGISTRATION: German Register of Clinical Studies (DRKS): DRKS00026154, date of registration: 2021-09-16. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1186/s12889-022-12921-7

Educational Programmes in Health Services Research in Germany: Current State and Future Perspectives

Zusammenfassung Ziel der Studie Ziel dieser Untersuchung war es, die derzeit akkreditierten Versorgungsforschungsstudiengange in Deutschland im Hinblick auf ihre Strukturdaten und Inhalte zu analysieren. Methodik Im Rahmen eines deskriptiven qualitativen Designs wurden die aktuellen Studienverlaufsplane, die Modulhandbucher und die Steckbriefe akkreditierter Masterstudiengange der Versorgungsforschung inhaltsanalytisch ausgewertet. Ergebnisse Die 6 analysierten Studiengange zeigen sich hinsichtlich ihrer strukturellen Merkmale und lehr-lerninhaltlichen Ausrichtung in den wesentlichen Punkten als homogen. Ziel aller Studiengange ist es, fach- und disziplinubergreifende personale und soziale Kompetenzen zu fordern, um Versorgungsbedarfe im Gesundheitswesen zu identifizieren, Innovationen der Versorgung zu entwickeln, zu initiieren, zu evaluieren und kritisch zu reflektieren. Schlussfolgerungen Trotz ahnlicher Lehr-Lerninhalte bestehen spezifische Ausrichtungen, fur die sich die Studierenden vor dem Hintergrund ihrer individuellen Praferenzen entscheiden konnen. Diese Ergebnisse konnten unter Berucksichtigung aktueller Diskurse und weiterer Erkenntnisse als Grundlage fur Empfehlungen zur Entwicklung eines Kerncurriculums dienen. Abstract Objective The aim of this study was to analyse accredited study programmes of health services research in Germany at Master's degree level regarding their structural data and content. Methods Using a descriptive qualitative design, all included plans of study courses, module handbooks and descriptions of the Master's degree programmes were analysed. Results The Master's degree programmes were similar in their structural elements as well as in their content of education. They aim at enhancing competences related to the areas of health services research to identify health care needs and to develop, initiate, evaluate and critically assess innovative care strategies across disciplines. Discussion Although the content is similar, the study programmes focus on specific aspects that allow students to choose a certain programme depending on their preferences. A next step can be the development of a core curriculum that takes into consideration further findings and the discourse of different stakeholders