Coping with intimate partner violence and the COVID-19 lockdown: The perspectives of service professionals in Spain

Socioeconomic crisis and humanitarian disasters can cause increased stress for women who experience inter-partner violence (IPV). This study analyzed the impact of the COVID-19 lockdown on this important issue, their related health and social services and working conditions from the perspectives of professionals in different sectors. Forty-three semi-structured interviews were carried out with 47 professionals (44 women and 3 men) from 40 different entities (September 2020-April 2021). This content analysis suggests that the pandemic and its associated prevention measures have had a negative impact on women exposed to IPV and their children, which affected their social wellbeing. Professionals described burnout, difficult and slow administrative processes, and problems with coordination and access to information. These negative impacts were mitigated, in part, by the work of professionals, but this suggests that a series of key strategies are needed to improve the response capacity of the service sector to IPV in situations of crisis. These improvements are related to the availability of human and material resources; an efficient coordination network between the professionals from different sectors; existence of informal support networks in the community; protocols/procedures and prior training for better implementation; and greater flexibility and accessibility of basic services that benefit women who experience IPV.This study was financed through the project “Gender violence and social and health responses during the COVID-19 crisis” by the Fondo Supera Covid-19 CRUE-Santander for the period 2020-2021 (Ref. FSCovid19-03). It was also co-supported by the CIBER of Epidemiology and Public Health of Spain for its aid to the Gender-based Violence and Youth Research Program.S

Qualitative evaluation of a complex intervention to implement health promotion activities according to healthcare attendees and health professionals: EIRA study (phase II)

Objective: To evaluate the implementation and development of a complex intervention on health promotion and changes in health-promoting behaviours in primary healthcare according to healthcare attendees and health professionals. Design: Descriptive qualitative evaluation research conducted with 94 informants. Data collection techniques consisted of 14 semistructured individual interviews, 9 discussion groups, 1 triangular group and 6 documents. Three analysts carried out a thematic content analysis with the support of Atlas.ti software. This evaluation was modelled on Proctor and colleagues’ concept of outcomes for implementation research. Setting: 7 primary care centres from seven Spanish regions: Andalusia, Aragon, Balearic Islands, Basque Country, Castilla-La Mancha, Castilla-Leon and Catalonia. Participants: The study population were healthcare attendees (theoretical sampling) and health professionals (opportunistic sampling) who had participated in the exploratory trial of the EIRA intervention (2015). Results: Healthcare attendees and professionals had a positive perception of the study. Healthcare attendees even reported that they would recommend participation to family and friends. Health professionals became aware of the significance of the motivational interview, especially for health promotion, and emphasised social prescribing of physical activity. They also put forward recommendations to improve recruitment, screening and retention of participants. Healthcare attendees modified behaviours and health professionals modified working practices. To achieve sustainability, health professionals believe that it is crucial to adapt agendas and involve all the staff. Conclusions: The discourses of all stakeholders on the intervention must be taken into consideration for the successful, setting-specific implementation of adequate, acceptable, equitable and sustainable strategies aimed at health promotion and well-being

Health-care users, key community informants and primary health care workers' views on health, health promotion, health assets and deficits : qualitative study in seven Spanish regions

Although some articles have analysed the definitions of health and health promotion from the perspective of health-care users and health care professionals, no published studies include the simultaneous participation of health-care users, primary health care professionals and key community informants. Understanding the perception of health and health promotion amongst these different stakeholders is crucial for the design and implementation of successful, equitable and sustainable measures that improve the health and wellbeing of populations. Furthermore, the identification of different health assets and deficits by the different informants will generate new evidence to promote healthy behaviours, improve community health and wellbeing and reduce preventable inequalities. The objective of this study is to explore the concept of health and health promotion and to compare health assets and deficits as identified by health-care users, key community informants and primary health care workers with the ultimate purpose to collect the necessary data for the design and implementation of a successful health promotion intervention. A descriptive-interpretive qualitative research was conducted with 276 participants from 14 primary care centres of 7 Spanish regions. Theoretical sampling was used for selection. We organized 11 discussion groups and 2 triangular groups with health-care users; 30 semi-structured interviews with key community informants; and 14 discussion groups with primary health care workers. A thematic content analysis was carried out. Health-care users and key community informants agree that health is a complex, broad, multifactorial concept that encompasses several interrelated dimensions (physical, psychological-emotional, social, occupational, intellectual, spiritual and environmental). The three participants' profiles consider health promotion indispensable despite defining it as complex and vague. In fact, most health-care users admit to having implemented some change to promote their health. The most powerful motivators to change lifestyles are having a disease, fear of becoming ill and taking care of oneself to maintain health. Health-care users believe that the main difficulties are associated with the physical, social, working and family environment, as well as lack of determination and motivation. They also highlight the need for more information. In relation to the assets and deficits of the neighbourhood, each group identifies those closer to their role. Generally, participants showed a holistic and positive concept of health and a more traditional, individual approach to health promotion. We consider therefore crucial to depart from the model of health services that focuses on the individual and the disease toward a socio-ecological health model that substantially increases the participation of health-care users and emphasizes health promotion, wellbeing and community participation

Beyond the consultation room : Proposals to approach health promotion in primary care according to health-care users, key community informants and primary care centre workers

Primary health care () is the ideal setting to provide integrated services centred on the person and to implement health promotion () activities. To identify proposals to approach in the context of primary care according to health-care users aged 45-75 years, key community informants and primary care centre () workers. Descriptive-interpretive qualitative research with 276 participants from 14 of seven Spanish regions. A theoretical sampling was used for selection. A total of 25 discussion groups, two triangular groups and 30 semi-structured interviews were carried out. A thematic interpretive contents analysis was carried out. Participants consider that is not solely a matter for the health sector and they emphasize intersectoral collaboration. They believe that it is important to strengthen community initiatives and to create a healthy social environment that encourages greater responsibility and participation of health-care users in decisions regarding their own health and better management of public services and resources. , care in the community and demedicalization should be priorities for . Participants propose organizational changes in the to improve . workers are aware that falls within the scope of their responsibilities and propose to increase their training, motivation, competences and knowledge of the social environment. Informants emphasize that should be person-centred approach and empathic communication. activities should be appealing, ludic and of proven effectiveness. According to a socio-ecological and intersectoral model, services must get actively involved in together with community and through outreach interventions

Pharmaceutical cost control in primary care: opinion and contributions by healthcare professionals

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>Strategies adopted by health administrations and directed towards drug cost control in primary care (PC) can, according to earlier studies, generate tension between health administrators and healthcare professionals. This study collects and analyzes the opinions of general practitioners (GPs) regarding current cost control measures as well as their proposals for improving the effectiveness of these measures.</p> <p>Methods</p> <p>A qualitative exploratory study was carried out using 11 focus groups composed of GPs from the Spanish regions of Aragon, Catalonia and the Balearic Islands. A semi-structured guide was applied in obtaining the GPs' opinions. The transcripts of the dialogues were analyzed by two investigators who independently considered categorical and thematic content. The results were supervised by other members of the team, with overall responsibility assigned to the team leader.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>GPs are conscious of their public responsibility with respect to pharmaceutical cost, but highlight the need to spread responsibility for cost control among the different actors of the health system. They insist on implementing measures to improve the quality of prescriptions, avoiding mere quantitative evaluations of prescription costs. They also suggest moving towards the self-management of the pharmaceutical budget by each health centre itself, as a means to design personalized incentives to improve their outcomes. These proposals need to be considered by the health administration in order to pre-empt the feelings of injustice, impotence, frustration and lack of motivation that currently exist among GPs as a result of the implemented measures.</p> <p>Conclusion</p> <p>Future investigations should be oriented toward strategies that involve GPs in the planning and management of drug cost control mechanisms. The proposals in this study may be considered by the health administration as a means to move toward the rational use of drugs while avoiding concerns about injustice and feelings of impotence on the part of the GPs, which can lead to lack of interest in and disaffection with the current measures.</p

Factors related to the development of health-promoting community activities in Spanish primary healthcare: two case-control studies

Atenció Primària de Salut; Salut Comunitària; Promoció de la SalutAtención Primaria de Salud; Salud Comunitaria; Promoción de la SaludPrimary Health Care; Community Health; Health PromotionOBJECTIVE: Spanish primary healthcare teams have the responsibility of performing health-promoting community activities (CAs), although such activities are not widespread. Our aim was to identify the factors related to participation in those activities. DESIGN: Two case-control studies. SETTING: Performed in primary care of five Spanish regions. SUBJECTS: In the first study, cases were teams that performed health-promoting CAs and controls were those that did not. In the second study (on case teams from the first study), cases were professionals who developed these activities and controls were those who did not. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Team, professional and community characteristics collected through questionnaires (team managers/professionals) and from secondary sources. RESULTS: The first study examined 203 teams (103 cases, 100 controls). Adjusted factors associated with performing CAs were percentage of nurses (OR 1.07, 95% CI 1.01 to 1.14), community socioeconomic status (higher vs lower OR 2.16, 95% CI 1.18 to 3.95) and performing undergraduate training (OR 0.44, 95% CI 0.21 to 0.93). In the second study, 597 professionals responded (254 cases, 343 controls). Adjusted factors were professional classification (physicians do fewer activities than nurses and social workers do more), training in CAs (OR 1.9, 95% CI 1.2 to 3.1), team support (OR 2.9, 95% CI 1.5 to 5.7), seniority (OR 1.06, 95% CI 1.03 to 1.09), nursing tutor (OR 2.0, 95% CI 1.1 to 3.5), motivation (OR 3.7, 95% CI 1.8 to 7.5), collaboration with non-governmental organisations (OR 1.9, 95% CI 1.2 to 3.1) and participation in neighbourhood activities (OR 3.1, 95% CI 1.9 to 5.1). CONCLUSIONS: Professional personal characteristics, such as social sensitivity, profession, to feel team support or motivation, have influence in performing health-promoting CAs. In contrast to the opinion expressed by many professionals, workload is not related to performance of health-promoting CAs

Autonomía de gestión en atención primaria: posicionamiento de los profesionales de Mallorca

Objetivos: Valorar los conocimientos, percepciones, expectativas y actitudes de los profesionales de Atención Primaria (AP) de Mallorca sobre la autonomía de gestión. Diseño: Estudio descriptivo transversal, basado en un cuestionario ad hoc, anónimo, y distribuido de forma online, durante junio-julio del 2013. Emplazamiento: AP Mallorca. Participantes: Profesionales asistenciales de AP (n = 1.097). Mediciones: Conocimientos sobre autogestión; competencias, requisitos y escenarios de futuro de los centros con autonomía de gestión (CAG); repercusión de la autogestión; disposición a asumir compromisos y riesgos, y a incorporarse a un CAG. Resultados: Tasa de respuesta: 49,8% (546/1.097). El 10,9% mostró un alto nivel de conocimientos sobre autogestión, las principales competencias de un CAG fueron: capacidad de organización interna (87,5%) y de selección del personal (81,1%). Los futuros CAG se preveían con unos profesionales motivados e implicados (72,6%), resultados eficientes (66%), mayor calidad asistencial (59,4%) y mejor formación (52,8%). Los beneficios de la autogestión se consideraron importantes para los distintos profesionales y para la mejora de la AP de Mallorca (46,8%). Los principales requisitos de los CAG fueron disponer de directores capacitados (92,6%), sistemas de asignación presupuestaria (87,5%) y contratos de gestión adecuados (86,1%). Preferían que los CAG dependieran de la Administración (62,7%), y tenían interés personal en incorporarse a un CAG (56,9%), pero sin asumir excesivos compromisos (renuncia al régimen estatutario, riesgo económico). Conclusiones: Estos datos aportan una información de gran importancia, hasta ahora desconocida, que puede contribuir a planificar con una mayor racionalidad y de forma participativa la puesta en marcha de CAG en nuestro medio

Cross-cultural translation and validation of the 'gut feelings' questionnaire into Spanish and Catalan

[eng] Background: The gut feelings questionnaire (GFQ) is the only tool developed to assess the pres-ence of a 'sense of alarm' or a 'sense of reassurance' in the diagnostic process of general practi-tioners (GPs). It was created in Dutch and English and has validated versions in French, German and Polish. Objectives: To obtain a cross-cultural translation of the GFQ into Spanish and Catalan and to assess the structural properties of the translated versions. Methods: A six-step procedure including forward and backward translations, consensus, and cultural and linguistic validation was performed for both languages. Internal consistency, factor structure, and content validity were assessed. Results: Internal consistency was high for both questionnaires (Cronbach's alpha for GFQ- Spa 1⁄4 0.94 and GFQ-Cat 1⁄4 0.95). The principal component analysis identified one factor with the sense of alarm and the sense of reassurance as two opposites, explaining 76% of the total vari- ance for the GFQ-Spa, and 77% for the GFQ-Cat. Conclusion: Spanish and Catalan versions of the GFQ were obtained. Both have been cross- culturally adapted and showed good structural properties