Abstract The research focus for smoking and public health has typically been on serious smoking diseases such as cancer and coronary thrombosis, which typically require treatment in a hospital setting at an older age. In this thesis, primary health care utilisation and cardiovascular risk factors according to smoking status were studied in a younger cohort: at age 46 in the Northern Finland Birth Cohort of 1966. Primary health care costs of smokers vs. never-smokers were 28% higher for men and 21% higher for women. Signs of elevated risk of metabolic syndrome and cardiovascular disease were visible: smokers had 20% higher triglycerides, slightly larger waist-to-hip ratio, and type 2 diabetes prevalence was twice as high among smokers than never-smokers after adjustment for covariates. The calculated ten-year risk of a cardiovascular event was twice as high for smokers vs. either never-smokers, former smokers or recent quitters. These results should be seen as early warning signals in primary health care, and cost-effective actions should be taken to prevent later multimorbidity – smoking cessation aid by a physician is very cost effective. Only a minority of smokers receive cessation support from a physician, even though the majority of them wish to quit. In order to understand this discrepancy, a survey was conducted on physicians and smoking cessation. Physicians thought it was their responsibility to try to get the patient to quit, but practical measures to treat smoking dependence were rare. The most commonly reported restrictions for smoking cessation work – lack of time and functional treatment paths – could be addressed by administration and management. The attitudes and experiences of Finnish physicians were in line with the WHO recommendation to improve smoking cessation services and integrate them into health care: 80% were in favour of more resources being directed to smoking cessation services, and less than one third thought that smoking cessation was even somewhat well organised in the Finnish health care system. / Tiivistelmä Tupakoinnin terveys- ja talousvaikutusten tarkastelu keskittyy usein myöhemmällä iällä sairaalahoitoa vaativiin tupakkasairauksiin kuten syöpään ja sepelvaltimotautiin. Tässä väitöskirjassa tarkastellaan tupakoinnin ja perusterveydenhuollon käytön sekä sydän- ja verisuonitautien riskitekijöiden yhteyttä nuoremmassa otoksessa: 46 vuoden iässä Pohjois-Suomen vuoden 1966 syntymäkohortissa. Perusterveydenhuollon vuosittaiset kustannukset olivat tupakoivilla korkeammat kuin tupakoimattomilla: miehillä 28% ja naisilla 21%. Merkkejä kohonneesta metabolisen oireyhtymän ja sydän- ja verisuonitautien riskistä oli havaittavissa: tupakoivien triglyseridit olivat 20% korkeammat, heidän lantio-vyötärösuhteensa oli hieman suurempi kuin tupakoimattomilla, ja tyypin 2 diabetes oli heillä kaksi kertaa yleisempää taustamuuttujien vakioinnin jälkeen. Arvioitu riski saada vakava sydän- tai verisuonitapahtuma seuraavan kymmenen vuoden kuluessa oli tupakoivilla kaksi kertaa suurempi kuin heillä, jotka joko eivät olleet ikinä tupakoineet, olivat aiemmin tupakoineet, tai jotka olivat hiljattain lopettaneet. Perusterveydenhuollon tulisi nähdä nämä ilmiöt varhaisina varoitussignaaleina ja ryhtyä kustannusvaikuttaviin toimenpiteisiin myöhemmän multimorbiditeetin ehkäisemiseksi – lääkärin antama tuki tupakoinnin lopettamisessa on erittäin kustannusvaikuttavaa. Vaikka suurin osa tupakoitsijoista haluaa lopettaa, vain vähemmistö saa siihen tukea lääkäriltä. Tämän epäsuhdan ymmärtämiseksi tehtiin kyselytutkimus lääkäreille tupakastavieroituksesta. Lääkärit näkivät velvollisuudekseen yrittää saada tupakoiva potilas lopettamaan, mutta käytännön toimet tupakkariippuvuuden hoitamiseksi olivat harvinaisia. Yleisimmin raportoidut esteet vieroitustyölle – aikapula ja puutteelliset hoitopolut – olivat hallinnon ja johdon ratkaistavissa. WHO:n mukaan Suomella on parantamisen varaa lopettamisen tukipalveluissa ja tupakkariippuvuuden hoidon integroimisessa terveydenhuoltojärjestelmään. Tästä väitöskirjasta käy ilmi, että suomalaisten lääkäreiden asenteet ja kokemukset ovat linjassa WHO:n ohjeistuksen kanssa: 80% kannatti lisäresurssien ohjaamista lopettamispalveluihin ja alle kolmanneksen mielestä tupakastavieroitus toteutui edes jokseenkin hyvin suomalaisessa terveydenhuoltojärjestelmässä.

No description available.

Summary Background: In spite of caring being the core of midwifery and nursing, there is a constant public outcry about uncaring behaviours of midwives towards clients. Local media reports and recent discussion in the health system have highlighted the concerns regarding caring behaviours of midwives. Thus, there is a need to compare the meaning of caring from the perspectives of student midwives, midwives and educators. Aims: The aim of this article was to determine the meaning of caring from the perspectives of the undergraduate student midwives, the professional midwives, and the educators teaching midwifery in Tshwane. Setting: The study was conducted at healthcare institutions which the undergraduate student midwives attended for work integrated learning and at nursing education institutions in Tshwane, South Africa. Methods: The strategy was qualitative and exploratory in nature. The population comprised student midwives, professional midwives and educators. Purposive sampling was done. Focus group discussions were held with student midwives and professional midwives, whilst the naïve sketch form was used as data-collection instrument for educators. Content data analysis was done. The total sample realised was 38. Results: The findings revealed that ‘caring’ was taken to mean being well conversant, upto- date and proficient in the field of work as well as considerate and respectful to others. The professional midwives indicated that they have seen colleagues demonstrate uncaring behaviour whilst educators emphasised respect as caring. Conclusion: The student midwives, professional midwives and educators described caring as being a competent nurse with compassion and respect for others.

Diss. (sammanfattning) Stockholm : Karol inst., 2004. / Härtill 5 uppsatser.

Thesis (MPhil)--Stellenbosch University, 2013. / ENGLISH ABSTRACT: Health statistics on adolescents in Namibia indaicate high incidences of teenage unwanted pregnancies, unsafe abortions, baby dumping, maternal ill health, early marriages and STIs including HIV. These are indicators of underutilisation of adolescent friendly health services (AFHS) by adolescents as education on these problems are covered in it. Although Government has made some strides to esure implementation starts, there is a recognisable lack of its adoption by health workers. The aim of this study was to establish the reasons for the slow adoption of AFHS practices by health workers at Katutura Health Centre. A quantitative non-experimental cross-sectional descriprive research approach was used in this study. Evidence using both primary data collected in the field through self-administered semi-structured questionnaires (with both open and closed questions) and secondary data collected in the literature review was employed . A census of the entire population of health workers was prefered over sampling. A total of 56 health workers accepted to participate in the study and the questionnaire, 46 of which returned it within a stipulated three weeks data collection period. Descriptive statistics was utilised together with frequencies, mean and basic collection. Eighty two percent of the sample participated in the study of which 67% respondents were female and 33% were male. The majority of the respondents (78.3%) had tertiary education. The results indicated: AFHS were not known to the majority of health workers; there is slow adoption of AFHS; and the programme introduction could have been done better. Factors significantly associated with adoption of AFHS are knowledge of such services, sex, level of education, job position, work experience and effective implementation of the programme. A probability value of p<0.05 was adopted. The programme is well appreciated despite concerns of lack of training and proper implementation. Key recommendations were on staff recruitment, retention and training of health workers; creation of space for implementing AFHS and marketing the programme. The system is in place, what is left is to tighten some loose ends and programme is up and running. / AFRIKAANSE OPSOMMING: Gesondheid statistieke oor die jeug in Namibië verwys na hoë voorkoms van ongewenste tiener swangerskappe en onveilige aborsies, weg gooi van babas, swak moederlike gesondheid, vroeë huwelike en seksueel oordraagbare siektes, insluitend MIV. Dit is aanwysers van die onderbenutting van jeug vriendelike gesondheidsdienste (AFHS) deur die jeug, as die onderwys op hierdie probleme gedek word. Hoewel die regering 'n paar implementerings begin het, is daar 'n beduidende gebrek van aanneming deur gesondheidswerkers. Die doel van hierdie studie was om die redes vas te stel vir die stadige aanvaarding van AFHS praktyke deur gesondheidswerkers by Katutura Gesondheids Sentrum. 'n Kwantitatiewe, nie-eksperimentele navorsingsbenadering is gebruik in hierdie studie. Bewyse uit beide primêre data wat ingesamel is in die veld deur middel van self-geadministreerde semi-gestruktureerde vraelyste (met beide oop en geslote vrae) en sekondêre data wat ingesamel is in die literatuuroorsig was gebruik. 'n Sensus van die hele bevolking van gesondheidswerkers is verkies in plaas van steekproefneming. 'n Totaal van 56 gesondheidswerkers het aanvaar om deel te neem aan die studie en die vraelys, waarvan 46 teruggedien is binne die vasgestelde tydperk van drie weke se data-invorderingstermyn. Beskrywende statistiek is gebruik saam met frekwensies, gemiddelde en basiese versameling. Tagtig en twee persent van die steekproef het deelgeneem aan die studie, waarvan 67% respondente vroulik en 33% manlik was. Die meerderheid van die respondente (78,3%) het tersiêre opleiding. Die resultate het aangedui: AFHS is nie bekend aan die meeste van gesondheidswerkers nie, en daar is stadige aanneming van AFHS; en die program inleiding kon beter gedoen gewees het. Faktore wat beduidend verband hou met die aanneming van AFHS is kennis van sodanige dienste, geslag, vlak van onderwys, werk posisie, werkervaring en doeltreffende implementering van die program. 'n Waarskynlikheid waarde van p <0,05 is aangeneem. Die program is goed waardeer ten spyte van kommer aan 'n gebrek van opleiding en behoorlike implementering. Belangrikste aanbevelings was op die personeel werwing, behoud en die opleiding van gesondheidswerkers; skepping van ruimte vir die implementering van AFHS en bemarking van die program. Die stelsel is in plek, wat oorbly om gedoen te word, is om 'n paar los punte te versterk en die program is aan die gang.

Die vorliegende Studie untersucht den Einsatz von Kurz-Screening-Instrumenten (bestehend aus dem PHQ-4, mit seinen beiden Untereinheiten dem GAD-2 und dem PHQ-2) hinsichtlich der Tauglichkeit für einen Routineeinsatz in Hausarztpraxen. Gescreent wurde auf das mögliche Vorliegen einer Angst- und/oder depressive Störungen mit anschließender Validitätsprüfung einer kleineren Stichprobe. Hinsichtlich der Validitätsprüfung konnte zwischen den CIDI- und den Screening-Ergebnissen eine gute Übereinstimmung ermittelt werden (prozentuale Über-einstimmung von 80,8% bei einem Cohen-Kappa von 0,62). Insgesamt betrachtet lässt sich mit einem vertretbaren Mehrbedarf an Zeit für nicht-ärztliche Mitarbeiter ein PHQ-4-Screening in einer Hausarztpraxis durchführen. Durch diese Maßnahme können - bei gleichzeitiger Entlastung des Arztes - wichtige Informationen für eine Krankheitserkennung und für eine ggf. notwendige Therapie gewonnen werden. Über einen Routineeinsatz von Kurz-Screenern in der primär-ärztlichen Versorgung sollte nachgedacht werden. / The present study investigates the use of short screening instruments (consisting of the PHQ-4, with its two subunits the GAD-2 and PHQ-2), regarding the suitability for routine use in primary care practices. It was screened for the possible presence of anxiety and / or depressive symptoms with a following validity check on a smaller unit. The accordance between CIDI and the screening-results could be rated as good (accordance percentage of 80.8% with a Cohens kappa of 0.62). The PHQ-4 leads to a need of more non-medical employees(more time needed), but overall is the PHQ-4 a pracitable instrument in the primary care. Through a routine use of short-Screenern in the primary health care should be considered.

Despite the effectiveness of brief lifestyle interventions delivered in primary health care (PHC), implementation in routine practice remains suboptimal. Previous research suggests that there are many barriers to PHC clinicians addressing lifestyle risk factors, however few studies have identified the importance of various factors and how they shape practices. This thesis aimed to develop and describe a theoretical model to explain the lifestyle risk factor management practices of PHC clinicians and to identify critical leverage points for intervention. The study analysed data collected as part of a larger feasibility project of risk factor management in three community health teams in NSW, Australia, involving 48 PHC providers working outside of general practice. Grounded theory principles were used to inductively develop a model, involving three main stages of analysis: 1) an initial model was developed based on quantitative analysis of clinician survey and audit data, and qualitative analysis of a purposeful sample of participant interviews (n=18) and journal notes; 2) the model was then refined through additional qualitative analysis of participant interviews (n=30) and journal notes; and 3) the usefulness of the model was examined through a mixed methods and case study analysis. The model suggests that implementation of lifestyle risk factor management reflects clinicians??? beliefs about commitment and capacity. Commitment represents the priority placed on risk factor management and reflects beliefs about role congruence, client receptiveness and the likely impact of intervening. Capacity beliefs reflect clinician views about self efficacy, role support and the fit between risk factor management and ways of working. The model suggests that clinicians formulate different intervention expectations based on these beliefs and their philosophical views about appropriate ways to intervene. These expectations then provide a cognitive framework guiding their risk factor management practices. Finally, clinicians??? appraisal of the overall benefits and costs of addressing lifestyle issues acts to positively reinforce or to diminish their commitment to implementing these practices. The model extends previous research by outlining a process by which clinicians??? perceptions shape implementation of lifestyle risk factor management in routine practice. This provides new insights to inform the development of effective strategies to improve such practices.

La Atención Primaria (AP) es un nivel clave en un sistema sanitario y la evaluación es una de las principales herramientas básicas para mejorar los servicios. Según el modelo de AP definido por B Starfield y de amplio consenso internacional, ésta debe: a) ser accesible y ser utilizada como el primer contacto con el sistema de salud; b) ofrecer una atención continuada y global, y c) estar coordinada con los otros niveles del sistema sanitario, además de tener un enfoque familiar y comunitario, y competencia cultural. Así, B Starfield definió las cuatro dimensiones esenciales de la atención primaria como: primer contacto, longitudinalidad, integralidad y coordinación; y las dimensiones relacionadas: enfoque familiar, orientación comunitaria y competencia cultural. En Estados Unidos, Starfield y Shy diseñaron un conjunto de instrumentos para valorar las dimensiones de la AP, Primary Care Assessment Tools (PCAT). El objetivo general de esta tesis fue obtener instrumentos de evaluación del modelo teórico de la Atención Primaria (AP) que permitan su utilización en Catalunya y en el contexto español, y a partir de ellos hacer una primera evaluación en Catalunya bajo la perspectiva de desigualdades sociales. Para ello se realizaron dos procesos independientes de adaptación del cuestionario Primary Care Assessment Tools (PCAT), uno para poder utilizarlo en una encuesta de salud y otro para obtener medidas de los Equipos de Atención Primaria (EAP). La metodología ha sido en gran parte la misma, en base a las recomendaciones de adaptación transcultural, siguiendo los siguientes pasos: traducción, retrotraducción, comité de expertos, prueba pretest y medición de propiedades psicométricas del cuestionario obtenido. Para la valoración de la AP en Catalunya se incluyó en el cuestionario de la encuesta de Salud de Catalunya del año 2006 el conjunto de ítems seleccionados en uno de los trabajos que se presentan en esta tesis doctoral. Se aplicó a una muestra representativa de la población mayor de 15 años (N=13.292). Se ajustaron modelos multivariados de regresión negativa para la obtención de las razones de prevalencia y sus intervalos de confianza del 95%. Como resultados de esta tesis doctoral, se han obtenido dos instrumentos independientes, ambos en catalán y en castellano: a) un conjunto de ítems para poder incluir en la encuesta de salud, un PCAT abreviado de 10 ítems para adultos, y 2) el PCAT-Equipo de Atención Primaria versión extensa que permitirá el análisis de todas las dimensiones de la AP definidas por B Starfield (primer contacto, longitudinalidad, integralidad, coordinación, enfoque familiar, orientación comunitaria y competencia cultural). El PCAT-10 incluido en la Encuesta de Salud de Catalunya del año 2006 permitió conocer que la valoración de la AP obtenía una puntación de 7 sobre 10, y sin presentar un patrón de desigualdad, ya que no se mostraron diferencias en las puntuaciones según clase social. En conclusión, a partir del trabajo realizado se encuentran ya disponibles unos instrumentos en catalán y castellano que amplían el marco de evaluación de la AP en el contexto del sistema sanitario en España y Catalunya. Además permiten utilizar el enfoque de evaluación desde la población potencialmente usuaria así como de los equipos encargados de realizar la atención, los Equipos de Atención Primaria. Desde la perspectiva de la población, el PCAT-10 ha presentado buenas propiedades métricas, proporciona un índice para la evaluación de la AP y permitirá la monitorizado en el tiempo y el análisis en subgrupos y en el total de la población. A partir de la valoración de los directores/as de EAP se podrá evaluar el modelo teórico completo de la AP definido por B. Starfield. / Primary Care is a key level in the health system, and evaluation is one of the main instruments to improve services. According to the model defined by B Starfield, one with broad international consensus, PC has to be: a) accessible and used as the first contact with the health system; b) it must offer longitudinal and comprehensiveness attention, and c) it must be coordinated with the other levels of the health care system, be focused on family, with community orientation, and demonstrate cultural competence. B. Starfield defines the four essential dimensions of PC: first contact, longitudinality, comprehensiveness and coordination; and as related dimensions: family focus, community orientation and cultural competence. In the United States, Starfield and Shy designed a group of instruments to evaluate the PC dimensions, the Primary care Assessment Tools (PCAT). The main objective of this thesis is to obtain instruments for the evaluation of the theoretical model of Primary Care (PC) for use in Catalonia, and in the Spanish context in general, and from them to make a first evaluation in Catalonia from the perspective of social inequalities. To this end, two independent processes of adapting the Primary Care Assessment Tool (PCAT) questionnaire have been made, one to use in a health survey and the other to obtain measurements of the PC facilities. To a great extent, the methodology has been the same for both, based of the recommendations for transcultural adaptation: translation, retro translation, committee of experts, pretest and measurement of psychometric properties of the obtained questionnaire. For the assessment of PC in Catalonia, the set of items selected in one of the works presented in this doctoral thesis was included in the questionnaire of 2006 – the Catalan Health Survey. It was conducted on a representative sample of the population over 15 years (N=13.292). It has been adjusted with multivariate negative binomial regression models to obtain prevalence ratios and their 95% confidence intervals. Two independent instruments have been obtained, in Catalan and Spanish: a) a set of items to be included in the health survey, a brief PCAT of 10 items for adults and b) PCAT- PC team, extended version, which will allow the analysis of all the dimensions of the PC defined by B Starfield (first contact, longitudinality, comprehensiveness, coordination, family centeredness, community orientation and cultural competence). The PCAT-10 included in the Health Survey of Catalonia in 2006 revealed that the evaluation of the AP resulted in a mark of 7 over 10, showing no pattern of inequality, since differences in the scores were not according to social class. In conclusion, there are already available instruments in Catalan and Spanish that extend the frame of evaluation of the PC in the context of the health system in Spain and Catalonia. From the perspective of the population, the abbreviated PCAT-10 has presented good metric properties and provides an index for the evaluation of the PC that will allow monitoring over time and analysis in sub-groups, as well as in the total population. Through the evaluation of directors of PC teams, the complete theoretical model of the AP defined by B Starfield will be able to be evaluated.

Proefschrift Universiteit van Amsterdam. / Met lit.opg. en een samenvatting in het Nederlands.

Proefschrift Universiteit van Amsterdam. / Met lit. opg. - Met samenvatting in het Nederlands.