Measuring professionalism in medicine and nursing : Results of a European survey

Background: Leveraging professionalism has been put forward as a strategy to drive improvement of patient care. We investigate professionalism as a factor influencing the uptake of quality improvement activities by physicians and nurses working in European hospitals. Objective: To (i) investigate the reliability and validity of data yielded by using the self-developed professionalism measurement tool for physicians and nurses, (ii) describe their levels of professionalism displayed, and (iii) quantify the extent to which professional attitudes would predict professional behaviors. Methods and Materials: We designed and deployed survey instruments amongst 5920 physicians and nurses working in European hospitals. This was conducted under the cross-sectional multilevel study "Deepening Our Understanding of Quality Improvement in Europe" (DUQuE). We used psychometric and generalized linear mixed modelling techniques to address the aforementioned objectives. Results: In all, 2067 (response rate 69.8%) physicians and 2805 nurses (94.8%) representing 74 hospitals in 7 European countries participated. The professionalism instrument revealed five subscales of professional attitude and one scale for professional behaviour with moderate to high internal consistency and reliability. Physicians and nurses display equally high professional attitude sum scores (11.8 and 11.9 respectively out of 16) but seem to have different perceptions towards separate professionalism aspects. Lastly, professionals displaying higher levels of professional attitudes were more involved in quality improvement actions (physicians: b = 0.019, P<0.0001; nurses: b = 0.016, P<0.0001) and more inclined to report colleagues' underperformance (physicians - odds ratio (OR) 1.12, 95% CI 1.01-1.24; nurses - OR 1.11, 95% CI 1.01-1.23) or medical errors (physicians - OR 1.14, 95% CI 1.01-1.23; nurses - OR 1.43, 95% CI 1.22-1.67). Involvement in QI actions was found to increase the odds of reporting incompetence or medical errors. Conclusion: A tool that reliably and validly measures European physicians' and nurses' commitment to professionalism is now available. Collectively leveraging professionalism as a quality improvement strategy may be beneficial to patient care quality. © 2014 Lombarts et al

El marco sanitario y el entorno psicosocial de la población inmigrante magrebí en Cataluña

Introducción: Este estudio pretende obtener información sobre el marco sanitario y el entorno psicosocial de la población inmigrante magrebí en Cataluña, para orientar las actuaciones en planificación y provisión de servicios sociales y de las organizaciones que apoyan a este colectivo. Método: Se utilizó un cuestionario de creación propia que explora aspectos sanitarios y psicosociales, incluidos los factores estresores y de apoyo social. La recogida de datos se realizó mediante encuestadores y en lengua árabe. Resultados: Se realizaron 403 entrevistas. La mayoría de los encuestados tenían tarjeta sanitaria y sabían a dónde acudir para recibir asistencia. Los servicios más utilizados son los de atención primaria y urgencias hospitalarias. En atención primaria, casi todos los encuestados reciben explicaciones, pero un 30% no las comprende adecuadamente. Se percibe que los profesionales sanitarios no tienen muy en cuenta las diferencias culturales o religiosas. Trabajo, vivienda, alejamiento familiar y legalización son factores estresores para más de la mitad de esta población. El apoyo social es bajo. Tres cuartas partes de los encuestados se sienten solos. Más de la mitad de esta población ve cumplidas total o parcialmente sus expectativas migratorias y un 11% considera estar peor. Conclusiones: Las principales áreas de acción pasan por reforzar la información sobre condiciones de acceso al sistema sanitario, fomentar la interacción social y el asociacionismo entre los inmigrantes, especialmente durante las primeras fases del proceso migratorio, y facilitar las actividades religiosas. Parece importante formar a los profesionales sanitarios sobre las culturas de origen.Introduction: The aim of this study was to gather information on the healthcare background and social environment of the Maghrebian immigrant population in Catalonia in order to guide the management and provision of social services and the work of the organizations supporting this collective. Methods: To gather data, we used a questionnaire exploring healthcare and social variables, including stressors and social support. Data collection was performed by pollsters in Arabic. Results: We performed 403 interviews. Most interviewees had a health card providing access to public healthcare and knew where to access healthcare. The most frequently used services were primary care and emergency departments. In primary care, almost all of the interviewees were provided explanations, but 30% were unable to understand them properly. Health professionals seemed to have inadequate awareness of cultural and religious differences. Work, housing, distance from the family, and legal status were stressful factors for more than half of this population. Social support was low. Three quarters of the interviewees felt lonely. More than half of this population had completely or partially fulfilled their expectations of migration, while 11% felt they were in a worse situation. Conclusions: The main areas for improvement are the provision of information on conditions of healthcare access, promotion of social interaction, the use of associations for immigrants -especially during the first phases of the migration process- and facilitating religious activities. Health professionals should be provided with training in intercultural issues. © 2008 Sociedad Española de Salud Pública y Administración Sanitaria

Errores clínicos y eventos adversos: percepción de los médicos de atención primaria

ObjetivoMostrar cómo el médico percibe y afronta los errores clínicos y/o acontecimientos adversos (Ec-Ea).DiseñoEstudio transversal (encuesta postal personalizada).EmplazamientoAtención primaria del «Ámbito territorial Costa de Ponent».ParticipantesTodos los médicos con plaza en propiedad en atención primaria (n=717).Mediciones principalesCuestionario estandarizado: frecuencia de errores y eventos adversos; comparación de las respuestas en función de la edad, el sexo, la formación MIR en medicina de familia, en los «negadores» (jamás se han equivocado de manera importante), los «perceptivos» (admiten errores en el último año), los «hiperperceptivos» (admiten 28 o más errores-acontecimientos adversos/año), los «loci internos» (admiten causas personales en los errores) y los hiperseguros (> 7 puntos sobre 10 en seguridad clínica escala de Likert).ResultadosContestaron 238 médicos (33,2%), con una edad media de 42,6 años (intervalo de confianza [IC] del 95%, 41,6-43,6). El 28% eran «negadores» (IC del 95%, 22,34-34,26); el 67% «perceptivos» (IC del 95%, 60,79-73,23); el 7,4% «hiperperceptivos» (IC del 95%, 4,41-11,44); el 6%, «loci interno» (IC del 95%, 3,34-9,91), y el 23,4% hiperseguros (IC del 95%, 18,14-29,22). Se informó sobre 10,6 acontecimientos adversos/año/profesional, sobre todo eventos adversos de fármacos (37%) (IC del 95%, 35,36- 39,15) y retraso diagnóstico en una enfermedad neoplásica (33%) (IC del 95%, 31,16-34,85). La reacción más frecuente era intentar contactar con el paciente (80%; IC del 95%, 73,24-85,73) y comentar el caso con el equipo (el 41,4%; IC del 95%, 33,97-49,22).ConclusionesLos Ec-Ea se reconocen como frecuentes, pero un tercio de los médicos afirma no haberse equivocado nunca de manera importante. El médico varón joven, a diferencia del experimentado, socializa sus errores con el equipo. Los profesionales de «locus interno» e «hiperperceptivos» son proclives a reacciones emocionales más acusadas ante la comisión de errores clínicos. Los médicos reconocen menos seguridad en ORL y oftalmología y, además de éstos, los médicos experimentados también declaraban inseguridad en dermatología y cuidados paliativos.ObjectiveTo evaluate how primary care physicians perceive and face clinical errors (CE) and/or adverse events (AE).DesignCross-sectional study (personal mail survey).SettingPrimary care physicians from “Ambit Costa de Ponent”.ParticipantsAll doctors with tenure from this area (717).Main measurementsStandardized questionnaire with error and adverse event frequencies.We compared answers considering age, gender, family medicine residency, “deniers” (never make a mistake), “perceptive” (admitting a mistake in the last year), “hyper-perceptive” (28 or more errors/adverse events a year), “internal locus of control” (admitting personal reasons in errors), and “hypersecure” (>7 points out of 10 in clinical security on Likert scale).ResultsTwo hundred thirty eight physicians (33.2%) with an average age of 42.6 (95% CI, 41.6-43.6) replied. The 28% were “deniers” (95% CI, 22.34-34.26), 67% “perceptive” (95% CI, 60.79-73.23), 7.4% “hyperperceptive” (95% CI, 4.41-11.44), 6% had “internal locus of control” (95% CI, 3.34-9.91), and 23.4% were “hypersecure” (95% CI, 18.14-29.22). Every doctor had on average 10.6 adverse events yearly, mainly drug side-effects (37%) (95% CI, 35.36-39.15), and diagnostic delay in oncology scenarios (33%) (95% CI, 31.16-34.85). The most common reaction to an error was to try and contact the patient (80%) (95% CI, 73.24-85.73) and to communicate the case to the team (41.4%) (95% CI, 33.97-49.22).ConclusionsAE and CE were recognized as frequent, but a third of doctors affirmed they never made a mistake. Young male physicians, unlike senior ones, communicate mistakes to the team. “Internal locus of control” and “hyperperceptive” professionals tended to have stronger emotional reactions after committing errors. Physicians felt less secure with ophthalmology and ENT problems; and older doctors added to these dermatology and palliative care

Predictors of patient safety culture in hospitals in Venezuela

An organization's culture with regard to patient safety is important because it defines the beliefs and practices of the organization, and consequently its efficiency and productivity. Knowing the level of this and the factors that influence or not their dynamic represents a challenge, due to the degree of complexity and specificity of the elements involved. The aim of this study was to analyze predictors of patient safety culture in public and private hospitals and examining the factors that contribute to it, constructing a new and specific theoretical and methodological model. This study was carried out by reviewing medical records, detecting healthcare professionals directly involved in caring (N = 588), for patients in 2 public hospitals and 2 private hospitals in Venezuela (N = 566), conducting an "Analysis of Patient Safety Culture" questionnaire. The results were subsequently analyzed, derived 3 predictors factors and using a Patient Safety Culture Index (PSCI) for specific determination to evaluate patient safety culture level. The analysis showed that all hospitals had a "moderately unfavorable" PSCI (public = 52.96, private = 52.67, sig = 0.90). The PSCI was calculated by assessing the weight of the following factors in the index: occupational factors (factor loading = 32.03), communication factors (factor loading = 11.83), and organizational factors (factor loading = 9.10). Traumatology presented the lowest PSCI of all the care units, falling into the "unfavorable" category (36.48), and Laboratory the highest (70.02) (sig = 0.174), falling into the "moderately favorable" category. When analyzing professional groups, nurses had the highest PSCI, with a "moderately unfavorable" rating (PSCI = 61.1) and medical residents the lowest, falling into the "unfavorable" category (35.2). Adverse event reporting is determined by "management expectations and actions" (sig = 0.048) and "direct interaction with the patient" (sig = 0.049). The use of this theoretical and methodological approach in other contexts may provide a more objective system for identifying more specific needs and factors that influence in patient safety culture, and consequently, opportunities for improvement when constructing a patient safety culture in healthcare institutions. Efforts need to be made to improve safety culture in the hospitals studied, irrespective of whether they are public or private

The Perspectives of Patients with Chronic Diseases and Their Caregivers on Self-Management Interventions : A Scoping Review of Reviews

Self-management (SM) interventions are supportive interventions systematically provided by healthcare professionals, peers, or laypersons to increase the skills and confidence of patients in their ability to manage chronic diseases. We had two objectives: (1) to summarise the preferences and experiences of patients and their caregivers (informal caregivers and healthcare professionals) with SM in four chronic diseases and (2) to identify and describe the relevant outcomes for SM interventions from these perspectives. We conducted a mixed-methods scoping review of reviews. We searched three databases until December 2020 for quantitative, qualitative, or mixed-methods reviews exploring patients' and caregivers' preferences or experiences with SM in type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM), obesity, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), and heart failure (HF). Quantitative data were narratively synthesised, and qualitative data followed a three-step descriptive thematic synthesis. Identified themes were categorised into outcomes or modifiable factors of SM interventions. We included 148 reviews covering T2DM (n = 53 [35.8%]), obesity (n = 20 [13.5%]), COPD (n = 32 [21.6%]), HF (n = 38 [25.7%]), and those with more than one disease (n = 5 [3.4%]). We identified 12 main themes. Eight described the process of SM (disease progression, SM behaviours, social support, interaction with healthcare professionals, access to healthcare, costs for patients, culturally defined roles and perceptions, and health knowledge), and four described their experiences with SM interventions (the perceived benefit of the intervention, individualised care, sense of community with peers, and usability of equipment). Most themes and subthemes were categorised as outcomes of SM interventions. The process of SM shaped the perspectives of patients and their caregivers on SM interventions. Their perspectives were influenced by the perceived benefit of the intervention, the sense of community with peers, the intervention's usability, and the level of individualised care. Our findings can inform the selection of patient-important outcomes, decision-making processes, including the formulation of recommendations, and the design and implementation of SM interventions

Self-management interventions for adults living with obesity to improve patient-relevant outcomes : An evidence map

To conduct an evidence map on self-management interventions and patient-relevant outcomes for adults living with overweight/obesity. Following Arksey and O'Malley methodology, we searched in five electronical databases including randomized controlled trials (RCTs) on SMIs for overweight/obesity. We used the terms "self-management", "adult" and "obesity" for content. Two independent reviewers assessed eligible references; one reviewer extracted data, a second checked accuracy. We identified 497 RCTs (58% US, 20% Europe) including 99,741 (median 112, range 11-5145) adults living with overweight/obesity. Most research evaluated clinical outcomes (617, 55%) and behaviors adherence (255, 23%). Empowerment skills, quality of life and satisfaction were less targeted (8%, 7%, 0.2%, respectively). The most frequent techniques included sharing information (858, 99%), goal setting (619, 72%) and self-monitoring training (614, 71%), provided face-to-face (386, 45%) or in combination with remote techniques (256, 30%). Emotional management, social support and shared-decision were less frequent (18%, 26%, 4%). Socio-economic status, minorities or health literacy were seldom reported. There is a need of widening the scope of research by focusing on outcomes important to patients, assessing emotional/social/share-decision support, exploring remote techniques and including vulnerable populations

Planificación sectorial de calidad asistencial basada en indicadores: Aproximación a la atención ambulatoria a drogodependientes en Aragón.

Los recursos asistenciales a drogodependientes en España no han evolucionado como el resto de los servicios del Sistema Nacional de Salud y existen importantes diferencias en la ordenación y planificación de los servicios entre las Comunidades Autónomas. En los últimos años se han realizado experiencias muy variadas de mejora de la calidad en algunos de estos servicios. Entre los diferentes procesos de obtención de criterios fiables de calidad, el benchmarking de indicadores es un método valido para la planificación estratégica la calidad asistencial en el sector de las drogodependencias. El uso de indicadores de calidad puede proporcionar información basada en la evidencia para la toma de decisiones y la planificación sanitaria, aunque puede ser necesario, un proceso de priorización y un estudio de aplicabilidad previos a su uso. La evaluación de los indicadores y el establecimiento de 'los niveles basales de calidad proporcionan la evidencia objetiva para el desarrollo de actividades de mejora y planificación de la calidad por parte de los profesionales sanitarios y responsables políticos. También se facilita la normalización de las carteras de servicios, la cohesión de la red asistencial y la comparabilidad entre recursos asistenciales

The development of a core outcomes set for self-management interventions for patients living with obesity

Self-management interventions (SMIs) can improve the life of patients living with obesity. However, there is variability in the outcomes used to assess the effectiveness of SMIs and these are often not relevant for patients. In the context of COMPAR-EU, our aim was to develop a core outcome set (COS) for the evaluation of SMIs for patients with obesity. We followed a four steps multimethod approach: (1) the development of the initial catalogue of outcomes; (2) a scoping review of reviews on patients' values and preferences on outcomes of self-management (SM); (3) a Delphi survey including patients and patient representatives to rate the importance of outcomes; and (4) a 2-day consensus workshop with patients, patient representatives, healthcare professionals and researchers. The initial catalogue included 82 outcomes. Ten patients and patient's representatives participated in the Delphi survey. We identified 16 themes through the thematic synthesis of the scoping review that informed 37.80% of the outcomes on initial catalogue. Five patients, five healthcare professionals, and four researchers participated in the consensus workshop. After the consensus process, 15 outcomes were selected to be part of the final COS, and five supplementary outcomes were also provided. We developed a COS for the evaluation of SMIs in obesity with a significant involvement of patients and other key stakeholders. This COS will help improving data synthesis and increasing the value of SM research data in healthcare decision making

Self-Management Interventions for Adults Living with Type II Diabetes to Improve Patient-Important Outcomes : An Evidence Map

Self-management interventions (SMIs) may be promising in the treatment of Diabetes Mellitus Type 2 (T2DM). However, accurate comparisons of their relative effectiveness are challenging, partly due to a lack of clarity and detail regarding the intervention content being evaluated. This study summarizes intervention components and characteristics in randomized controlled trials (RCTs) related to T2DM using a taxonomy for SMIs as a framework and identifies components that are insufficiently incorporated into the design of the intervention or insufficiently reported. Following evidence mapping methodology, we searched MEDLINE, CINAHL, Embase, Cochrane, and PsycINFO from 2010 to 2018 for randomized controlled trials (RCTs) on SMIs for T2DM. We used the terms 'self-management', 'adult' and 'T2DM' for content. For data extraction, we used an online platform based on the taxonomy for SMIs. Two independent reviewers assessed eligible references; one reviewer extracted data, and a second checked accuracy. We identified 665 RCTs for SMIs (34% US, 21% Europe) including 164,437 (median 123, range 10-14,559) adults with T2DM. SMIs highly differed in design and content, and characteristics such as mode of delivery, intensity, location and providers involved were poorly described. The majority of interventions aimed to improve clinical outcomes like HbA1c (83%), weight (53%), lipid profile (45%) or blood pressure (42%); 27% (also) targeted quality of life. Improved knowledge, health literacy, patient activation or satisfaction with care were hardly used as outcomes (<16%). SMIs most often used education (98%), self-monitoring (56%), goal-setting (48%) and skills training (42%) to improve outcomes. Management of emotions (17%) and shared decision-making (5%) were almost never mentioned. Although diabetes is highly prevalent in some minority groups, in only 13% of the SMIs, these groups were included. Our findings highlight the large heterogeneity that exists in the design of SMIs for T2DM and the way studies are reported, making accurate comparisons of their relative effectiveness challenging. In addition, SMIs pay limited attention to outcomes other than clinical, despite the importance attached to these outcomes by patients. More standardized and streamlined research is needed to better understand the effectiveness and cost-effectiveness of SMIs of T2DM and benefit patient care