A Pilot Evaluation of the Respect You Curriculum.

BACKGROUND: The objective of this study is to evaluate the Respect YOU program's impact on students' eating expectancies, body image satisfaction levels, self-efficacy, and knowledge. A total of 444 (intervention cohort n = 348, control cohort n = 96) underclassmen enrolled in health or physical education courses from 7 high schools in the Midwest participated in the study. METHODS: A repeated measure research design was utilized to assess students' eating expectancies, body image satisfaction levels, self-efficacy, and knowledge. More specifically, paired t-tests were conducted to compare outcome measurements to evaluate the efficacy of the intervention. RESULTS: Among the students who received the intervention (n = 348), there was a statistically significant change in scores for eating expectancies (Z = -14.403, p < .001), body image satisfaction levels (Z = -14.114, p < .001), social media self-efficacy (Z = 14.868, p < .001), and knowledge scales (Z = -16.100, p < .001) at post-intervention and compared to the control group. CONCLUSIONS: Results indicate that the Respect YOU program was effective in improving body image scores, eating expectancies, self-esteem, and knowledge-related outcomes among students post-intervention. These results can be used to further develop educational programming to address body image concerns and disordered eating among adolescents.

Impact of Wellness Policy Review, Wellness Council Activity, and Student Health Objectives on Overall School Wellness Climate.

BACKGROUND: The whole school, whole community, whole child (WSCC) model suggests wellness councils, ongoing review of wellness policy, and a plan for evaluating set objectives are some of the key features needed to support school wellness infrastructure. This study explored the relationship between implementation of these infrastructure features and overall school wellness environment assessment scores among a sampling of Pennsylvania schools. METHODS: The Healthy Champions program provides Pennsylvania schools an opportunity to self-assess their wellness environments across several school wellness topics. Staff enrolled their school in the program by completing a self-report electronic assessment. Enrollment data from the 2020/2021 program year were analyzed using the Kruskal-Wallis test and linear fixed model to identify the impact of varied implementation levels across 3 wellness infrastructure activities. Interactions between these variables and overall assessment score were also analyzed. RESULTS: Of the 645 Pennsylvania schools enrolled and analyzed, we observed higher mean wellness environment assessment scores (∆ 0.74 95% CI 0.40-1.07; p < 0.001) among schools that reported some frequency of all 3 wellness infrastructure activities, compared to schools that reported no frequency for the activities. IMPLICATIONS: Schools with existing policies and practices related to the 3 wellness infrastructure activities should consider the degree of implementation to best support overall wellness in their school setting. Additional research to explore implementation barriers and supports is needed. CONCLUSIONS: Analyses indicated that overall wellness environment assessment scores are impacted by implementation thresholds for wellness council meeting frequency, revision of wellness policy, and review of student health promotion objectives.

Impact of a School-Based Nutrition Intervention in Preventing Overweight and Obesity in Children in Thailand.

BACKGROUND: This study evaluated the impact of a school-based nutrition program on preventing overweight and obesity in children in Thailand from 2014 to 2019. METHODS: We used difference-in-differences with matched comparison group to evaluate program impact. Treatment schools were categorized into those that participated in phase 1 only, and those that participated in phase 1 and 2. We matched 311 treatment schools in phase 1 only with 1504 comparison schools, and 75 treatment schools in both phases with 216 comparison schools. Administrative data from Thailand Office of Basic Education Commission were used from 2014 (baseline), 2016 (first follow-up), and 2019 (second follow-up). RESULTS: Program resulted in a 0.6-1.1 percentage point reduction in the students' probability of overweight by the end of phase 1, and 1.7 percentage points by the end of phase 2. Impact on obesity was found only for schools participating in both phases (0.4 and 0.9 percentage points by the end of phase 1 and 2, respectively). IMPLICATIONS FOR SCHOOL HEALTH POLICY, PRACTICE, AND EQUITY: Program continuity and intensity are key to achieve a reduction in overweight and obesity in schoolchildren. CONCLUSIONS: The program was successful in reducing overweight and/or obesity given appropriate level of continuity and intensity.

Readiness for Integrated Care of Older People: A Cross-Sectional Study in Mexico.

AIM: To evaluate the readiness of the Mexican healthcare system to implement the integrated care for older people (ICOPE) approach into an existing healthcare model. METHODS: We conducted a cross-sectional study with data from 2473 healthcare workers analyzed using the model for understanding success in quality (MUSIQ) framework to gather data from healthcare professionals. Their perceptions regarding the readiness for ICOPE were assessed across five dimensions: team, microsystem, infrastructure, organization, and external environment. RESULTS: Only 717 (29%) of the participants believed ICOPE could be successfully implemented in Mexico without any modifications. A total of 1261 (51%) participants rated the readiness of ICOPE with some barriers. The main barriers were reallocating resources and the external environment. OBSERVATION: Mexico's healthcare system faces barriers to innovation that could hinder the successful integration of the ICOPE approach. A systematic identification of these barriers provides an opportunity to suggest adaptations and refinements to increase the probability of success. Using the contextual factors identified as facilitators and the proposal of interventions such as the ICOPE app could improve the chances of success. CONCLUSION: The participants of this study evaluated ICOPE as ready to implement, with some contextual barriers. The readiness evaluation supports the stakeholders' and policymakers' decisions in implementing and monitoring the program in a natural setting. Evaluating the readiness of the intervention increases the possibility of aligning the innovation with contextual factors, increasing the chances of its successful adoption and implementation.

Desafios do processo de implantação dos medicamentos das hepatites virais B e C no componente estratégico da assistência farmacêutica no Estado do Rio de Janeiro / Challenges with the strategic pharmaceutical care program in the state of Rio de Janeiro's implementation of the viral hepatitis B and C medicines

O Brasil é signatário do documento da Organização Mundial da Saúde (OMS) para eliminação das hepatites virais até 2030. Uma das estratégias para eliminação das hepatites virais é aumentar o número de diagnósticos e tratamentos. A migração dos medicamentos de hepatites virais crônicas B e C do componente especializado para o componente estratégico da assistência farmacêutica foi regulamentado pela portaria 1537 do Ministério da Saúde de Junho de 2020 e normatizada pela Nota Técnica 319 de 2020. Para essa transição foi organizado um cronograma com as etapas do processo e implantação do Sistema de Controle Logístico de Medicamentos (SICLOM) nos estados. O SICLOM é um sistema de cadastro de usuário, dispensação dos medicamentos, controle de estoque, avaliação dos critérios para prescrição dos medicamentos, além de emitir relatórios sobre quantidade de medicamentos dispensados. Uma etapa fundamental do processo foi a pactuação das Unidade Dispensadoras Municipais (UDM) no âmbito das Comissões Intergestores Regionais (CIR) e, posteriormente, na Comissão Intergestores Bipartite (CIB) para deliberar que essas unidades iniciassem o processo como farmácias dispensadoras de medicamentos de hepatites B e C no componente estratégico, utilizando o sistema SICLOM, no Estado do Rio de Janeiro. O objetivo deste trabalho é descrever o processo e avaliar os resultados relacionados ao número de pontos de atendimento e o quantitativo de tratamentos dispensados no período de julho de 2021 a fevereiro de 2022 no Estado do Rio de Janeiro. A metodologia compreendeu uma revisão da literatura sobre o papel do tratamento como estratégia de eliminação das hepatites virais e a descrição das atividades previstas e realizadas na linha do tempo desde o início do processo após o embasamento legal e da publicação das normativas e a extração dos dados e informações sobre o número de tratamentos do SICLOM. A migração resultou em 1084 tratamentos de julho a dezembro de 2021, correspondendo a 56,4% do total dos 1922 tratamentos dispensados pelo Componente Especializado da Assistência Farmacêutica (CEAF) durante todo o ano de 2020. A migração transcorreu com sucesso, aumentou de 29 polos de dispensação especializados para 61 UDM que são as farmácias do componente estratégico, tornando a dispensação mais ágil do que a espera anterior. Apesar dos efeitos negativos provocados pela pandemia pode-se considerar que houve um grande avanço na política pública de assistência às hepatites virais.

Brazil is a signatory country to the World Health Organization (WHO) document for the elimination of viral hepatitis by 2030. One of the strategies to eliminate viral hepatitis is to increase the number of diagnoses and treatments. The migration of drugs for chronic viral hepatitis B and C from the specialized component to the strategic component of pharmaceutical care was regulated by ordinance 1537 of the Ministry of Health of June 2020 and standardized by Technical Note 319 of 2020. A schedule was organized for this transition with the steps of the process and implementation of the logistics and dispensing system (SICLOM) in the states. SICLOM is a user registration system, drug dispensing, inventory control, evaluation of drug prescription criteria, in addition to issuing reports on the quantity of drugs dispensed. A fundamental step in the process was the agreement between the Municipal Dispensing Units (UDM) within the scope of the Regional Inter-management Commissions (CIR) and, later, in the Bipartite Inter-management Commission (CIB) to decide that these units would start the process as pharmacies that dispense hepatitis drugs. B and C in the strategic component, using the SICLOM system, in the State of Rio de Janeiro. The objective of this work is to describe the process and evaluate the results related to the number of service points and quantitative of treatments dispensed from July/2021 to February/2022 in the State of Rio de Janeiro. The methodology included a literature review on the role of treatment as a strategy to eliminate viral hepatitis, and the description of the activities planned and carried out in the timeline since the beginning of the process after the legal basis and the publication of norms, and the extraction of data and information on the number of treatments from SICLOM. The migration resulted in 1084 treatments from July to December 2021, corresponding to 56.4% of the total 1922 treatments dispensed by the Specialized Pharmaceutical Assistance Component (CEAF) throughout 2020. The migration was successful, increasing from 29 specialized dispensing centers to 61 DMUs, which are the pharmacies of the strategic component, making dispensing more agile than the previous wait. Despite the negative effects caused by the pandemic, it can be considered that there was a great advance in the public policy of assistance to viral hepatitis.

Protecting the future: Fatal incidents on Australian farms involving children (2001-2019).

OBJECTIVES: To assess the demographic and causal factors, plus trends in rates of fatal farm incidents involving children (<15 years) in Australia over the 2001-2019 period. DESIGN: A descriptive retrospective epidemiological study of the National Coronial Information System. SETTING: Australia. PARTICIPANTS: Cases involving children (<15 years), where incidents have occurred on a farm (1 January 2001-31 December 2019). RESULTS: There has been essentially no change in the fatality rate for farm-related child injury deaths across Australia in the 2001-2019 period (-0.009/year). Men and children aged 0-4 years were significantly more likely to be involved in these incidents. Most cases were recreational in nature (81%), with seven agents (water bodies, quads [all-terrain vehicles], tractors, utes, cars, motorbikes and horses), accounting for 75% of cases. Water bodies were responsible for over 31% of deaths. CONCLUSION: The lack of progress addressing child farm injury mortality requires urgent attention. The overall rates and pattern of injury-related deaths have stagnated, necessitating new and innovative approaches to address the issue. The emerging National Injury Prevention Plan might provide scope to improve the focus on and implementation of evidence-based approaches.

Evaluation of the Impact of School Garden Exposure on Youth Outlook and Behaviors toward Vegetables in Southern Arizona.

BACKGROUND: Our objective was to evaluate the effect of garden-based learning on outlook and behaviors toward vegetables among primarily Latinx students. An educational strategy, garden-based learning is a teaching tool that complements other disciplines. METHODS: Third- and fourth-grade students at 4 elementary schools with different garden programs completed a bingo survey and participated in class discussions to measure outlook and behaviors toward vegetables. RESULTS: Students in schools with more garden exposure were more likely to answer "Yes" to survey questions reflecting a positive attitude and behaviors toward vegetables. In class discussions, students most often mentioned vegetables grown in the school garden as their favorite vegetables. CONCLUSION: For third- and fourth-grade students, the length of exposure to a school garden appears to have a positive impact on both perceptions of and desire to consume vegetables. Other studies have shown that positive outlook and behaviors toward vegetables can change vegetable consumption habits in children. Integrating garden-based learning into the school curriculum may positively influence eating behaviors over the long-term future.

Active8: Promoting health beyond the absence of mental illness.

OBJECTIVE: We sought to understand and develop the critical elements of a program designed to promote physical health for people living with or experiencing mental illness. DESIGN: The study used a most significant change approach. Participants provided personal accounts of change, and these were analysed in a workshop with a range of stakeholders involved in program design and delivery. Core themes were identified to inform the development of the program. SETTING: The program is delivered by a community managed organisation in the South Eastern Illawarra region of New South Wales and the study took place in this setting. PARTICIPANTS: Participants included people who had accessed the Active8 program, staff who delivered the program, referrers and the funder of the program. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Participants were invited to share stories of how the Active8 program had impacted them or the people they were supporting. RESULTS: Five key themes were identified as being critical to program success and development: (a) the right start at the right time; (b) a program that fits me; (c) health literacy leads to agency, action and change; (d) a chance to explore and establish healthy connections; and (e) change requires time, focus and ongoing support. CONCLUSION: Approaches that steer away from simple advice giving and towards empowering and motivating people in line with their individual needs, aspirations and social context show potential for enhancing health-behaviour change.

A Practical Guide to Cluster Randomized Trials in School Health Research.

BACKGROUND: When well-designed and implemented, cluster randomized trials can meet the high standards federal agencies and other funders increasingly require for evidence on the effectiveness of school health programs and services. However, designing and implementing these studies can present more challenges than at first appears. METHODS: I reviewed summaries of the methodological literature on cluster randomized trials. I then conducted a search to identify practical applications of these methods in school health research. RESULTS: The review identified 6 key issues or decisions school health researchers must address when designing, conducting, and analyzing data from a cluster randomized trial: (1) reasons to use a clustered design, (2) sample size calculation, (3) the use of matching or stratification, (4) definition of the school and student samples, (5) consent gathering, and (6) analysis methods. CONCLUSIONS: School health researchers can take several practical steps to ensure the availability of high-quality research evidence and meet the growing demands for evidence and accountability in education policy and programming. These steps include selecting the right research design for the intervention and evaluation setting, identifying appropriate sample definitions and analysis methods, and developing appropriate procedures for gathering parental permission and student assent.

Effectiveness of regional medical schools in attracting and retaining students for early-career practice in the local area: The James Cook University experience.

OBJECTIVE: The regionally based James Cook University medical school in northern Australia has focused its selection processes and curriculum on recruiting, training and graduating doctors to address local workforce needs. This study investigates if James Cook University's regionally based medical school model promotes graduates undertaking internship in local regional hospitals. DESIGN, SETTING & PARTICIPANTS: Cross-sectional survey of final year James Cook University Bachelor of Medicine, Bachelor of Surgery graduates towards the end of the 2016 and 2017 academic years (n = 207; response rate = 58%). MAIN OUTCOME MEASURE: Multivariate (binary outcomes) logistic regression analysis identified the personal and curriculum factors predicting students' choice to do their internship in northern Australia supported by content analysis of free text responses to expand on quantitative associations. RESULTS: Students applied to medicine at James Cook University because there was: "an undergraduate program" (62%); "reputation for a good course/quality graduates" (59%); and "interest in rural medicine or Indigenous health" (39%). Internship in northern Australian hospitals was predicted by: "familiarity with the hospital in Years 5 and 6"; "having a northern Australia hometown at time of application to medical school"; "an interest in rural medicine or Indigenous health"; and "interns have better learning experiences in regional teaching hospitals". CONCLUSION: The findings suggest regionally based medical schools can promote early-career rural practice by incorporating purposive selection, a rurally focused curriculum supported by quality clinical training experiences in local hospitals and a sufficient number of locally available intern places. However, it is likely regionally based medical schools also require locally available specialty training pathways to support rural practice in the longer term.

Evaluación del programa Escuela Saludable en algunos colegios públicos de Santa Marta, 2017 / Evaluation of the Healthy School program in some public schools in Santa Marta, 2017

La salud y el bienestar de la comunidad es el objetivo básico de la salud pública. Escuela saludable se constituye en un programa que busca fortalecer la producción social de la salud en el ámbito escolar a través de acciones de política pública, ambiente saludable, empoderamiento y participación social, educación para la salud y vigilancia. Con el objetivo de establecer el grado de aplicación de los lineamientos del programa escuela saludable en algunos colegios públicos de la ciudad de Santa Marta para el año 2017, se realizó un estudio descriptivo cuantitativo en 14 instituciones que voluntariamente aceptaron participar. De manera general, se encontró un nivel deficiente de aplicación de los lineamientos nacionales para la estrategia; en cada uno de los ítems evaluados se evidenció un bajo porcentaje de cumplimiento, concluyendo que se requieren diseñar estrategias de fortalecimiento en la implementación del programa que permitan objetivo fundamental de mejorar la salud de los colectivos (escolares y la comunidad académica en general).

The health and well-being of the community is the basic objective of public health. Healthy school is constituted in a program that seeks to strengthen the social production of health in the school environment through actions of public policy, healthy environment, empowerment and social participation, health education and surveillance. With the objective of establishing the degree of application of the guidelines of the healthy school program in some public schools of the city of Santa Marta for the year 2017, a descriptive quantitative study was carried out in 14 institutions that voluntarily agreed to participate. In general, there was a deficient level of application of the national guidelines for the strategy; In each of the evaluated items a low percentage of compliance was evidenced, concluding that it is necessary to design strengthening strategies in the implementation of the program that allow a fundamental objective of improving the health of schoolchildren and the academic community in general.

Emerging Needs of People Living With HIV Receiving Community-Based Nursing in an Australian Setting.

While the lifespan of people living with HIV (PLWH) in Australia has increased, a minority still experience poor health outcomes and have complex needs. Few studies address this group's emerging needs. Our study, a component of a larger evaluation, aimed to identify current and projected needs of PLWH receiving HIV community nursing. We undertook a cross-sectional survey to identify clients' support needs and explore their future concerns. There were 120 of 140 PLWH who met our eligibility criteria to participate in the survey; 86 responded. Respondents overrepresented minority, disadvantaged groups. Mental health support was the most common care reported (86.8%). Respondents' self-identified needs included access to health care, dealing with pain, anticipated grief due to friends dying, and maintaining independence. Time since HIV diagnosis and sexual orientation were primary variables for which differences were observed. Our study highlights the importance of developing and sustaining HIV specialist community nursing services for aging PLWH.

Utilization of internal evaluation results by community mental health organizations: Credibility in different forms.

Internal evaluations are numerous but the literature is largely focused on external evaluations. There have been few explorations of the factors affecting the use of findings from internal evaluations that are carried out by program staff in community organizations. This study examined the instrumental use of internal evaluation findings within 19 community mental health organizations in Ontario, Canada. All but one respondent reported instrumental use in their organization, using the evaluation findings to make program-related decisions. For these non-controversial programs, qualities such as the ability of internal evaluators to identify relevant information, their role/expertise within the organization and the consistency of evaluation findings with current understanding appeared to influence use more strongly than evaluator objectivity.

Expansão da estatégia saúde da família e modelo de atenção à tuberculose em unidades de saúde do complexo da Maré/RJ - Brasil

Tradicionais modelos biomédicos de assistência à saúde são geralmente voltados para condições agudas e episódicas. Com a expansão dos cuidados primários em saúde na cidade do Rio de Janeiro e os desafios impostos no tratamento da tuberculose, o estudo tem por objetivo geral avaliar, a partir da percepção das equipes de saúde, se a expansão da Estratégia Saúde da Família ocorrida no Complexo da Maré/RJ atende o modelo de atenção às condições crônicas ao portador da tuberculose. Por objetivos específicos descrever o modelo de atenção à saúde empregado ao portador da tuberculose nas Unidades de Saúde do Complexo da Maré/RJ e determinar, sob a percepção dos profissionais de saúde, a capacidade institucional local em desenvolver o modelo de atenção às condições crônicas ao portador de tuberculose. Método: Pesquisa avaliativa normativa, transversal, quantitativa. Foram entrevistados 174 profissionais de saúde das equipes de saúde da família de oito Unidades de Saúde do Complexo da Maré/RJ. Utilizou-se o instrumento Assessment of Chronic Illness Care adaptado e validado para a atenção à tuberculose. Estudo aprovado com parecer número 1.043.830. Resultado: A capacidade de atenção ao portador da tuberculose nas Unidades de Saúde da Maré foi classificada como razoável (média 6.67) (p-value = 0.001183). As Unidades de Saúde apresentaram médias que variaram de 5.74 a 7.49. Conclusão: Considera-se que, há uma mudança de foco das organizações de saúde, retirando a ênfase nas condições agudas para implantar uma atenção que dê conta da atenção às condições crônicas (caso da tuberculose).

Traditional biomedical model of health care are generally focused on acute and episodicconditions. With the primary health care expansion in the Rio de Janeiro’s city and thechallenges posed to treat tuberculosis, this study had goal: evaluate from the health teamsperception, the expansion of the Family Health Strategy that took place in the Complexo daMaré / RJ meets the model of care for tuberculosis chronic conditions. For specific goalsdescribe the health care model used to tuberculosis patients in the health units of theComplexo da Maré / RJ; Determine, in the perception of health professionals, localinstitutional capacity to develop the model of care for chronic conditions for patients withtuberculosis. Method: cross-sectional research, quantitative, normative evaluation. They wereinterviewed 174 health professionals of family health teams that worked in eight health unitsin Complexo da Maré / RJ. Used the guidelines Assessment of Chronic Illness Care adaptedand validated for attention to tuberculosis. This study was approved by the number 1043830.Outcomes: The attention capacity of tuberculosis patients in health units was classified inreasonable care (average 6.67) (p-value = 0.001183). Health Units presented averages rangingfrom 5.74 to 7.49. Conclusion: It is considered that there is a shift in focus of healthcareorganizations, removing the emphasis on acute conditions to deploy an attention that takeaccount of care for chronic conditions (case of tuberculosis).

Modelo biomédico tradicional de atención de la salud se centran generalmente en condicionesagudas y episódicas. Con la expansión de la atención primaria de salud en la ciudad de Río deJaneiro y los retos en el tratamiento de la tuberculosis, el estudio tiene el objetivo de evaluar,desde la percepción de los equipos de salud, la expansión de la Estrategia Salud de la Familiaque tuvo lugar en Complexo da Maré / RJ cumple con el modelo de atención a lasenfermedades crónicas al portador de la tuberculosis. Para objetivos específicos describir elmodelo de atención de la salud de los empleados al portador de la tuberculosis en las unidadesde salud del Complexo da Maré / RJ; Determinar, en la percepción de los profesionales de lasalud, la capacidad institucional local para desarrollar el modelo de atención a lasenfermedades crónicas en los pacientes con tuberculosis. Método: investigación deevaluación normativa, cuantitativo transversal. Entrevistaron a 174 profesionales de la saludde los equipos de salud de la familia de ocho unidades de salud del Complexo da Maré / RJ.Se utilizó el instrumento de Evaluación de Manejo de Enfermedades Crónicas adaptado yvalidado para la atención a la tuberculosis. Este estudio fue aprobado por el número opinión1.043.830. Resultado: El portador de la capacidad de atención de la tuberculosis en lasunidades de salud de marea se clasificó como razonable (promedio 6.67) (p-valor =0.001183). Unidades de Salud presentó promedios que van de 5.74 a 07.49. Conclusión: Seconsidera que hay un cambio en el enfoque de las organizaciones de salud, eliminando elénfasis en las condiciones agudas de desplegar una atención que tenga en cuenta la atenciónde afecciones crónicas (caso de la tuberculosis).

Contextualizing the Proven Effectiveness of a Lifestyle Intervention for Type 2 Diabetes in Primary Care: A Qualitative Assessment Based on the RE-AIM Framework.

OBJECTIVE: The Healthy Eating and Active Living for Diabetes in Primary Care Networks (HEALD) intervention proved effective in increasing daily physical activity among people with type 2 diabetes in 4 community-based primary care networks (PCNs) in Alberta. Here, we contextualize its effectiveness by describing implementation fidelity and PCN staff's perceptions of its success in improving diabetes management. METHODS: We used the Reach, Effectiveness, Adoption, Implementation and Maintenance (RE-AIM) framework to evaluate the HEALD intervention. Qualitative methods used to collect data related to the RE-AIM dimensions of implementation and effectiveness included interviews with PCN staff (n=24), research team reflections (n=4) and systematic documentation. We used content analysis, and data were imported into and managed using Nvivo 10. RESULTS: HEALD was implemented as intended with adequate fidelity across all 4 PCNs. Identified implementation facilitators included appropriate human resources, the training provided, ongoing support, the provision of space and the simplicity of the intervention. However, PCN staff reported varying opinions regarding its potential for improving diabetes management among patients. Rationales for their views included intervention "dose" inadequacy; that the quality of usual care for people with diabetes was already good; patients were already managing their diabetes well; and the potential for cointervention. Recommended improvements to HEALD included increasing the dose of the intervention, expanding it to other modes of exercise and incorporating a medical clearance process. CONCLUSIONS: Based on the high degree of fidelity, the demonstrated effectiveness of HEALD in improving physical activity among patients was a result of sound implementation of an efficacious intervention. Increasing the dose of HEALD could result in additional improvements for patients.

Challenges in Identifying Patients with Type 2 Diabetes for Quality-Improvement Interventions in Primary Care Settings and the Importance of Valid Disease Registries.

OBJECTIVE: Patient registries are considered an important foundation of chronic disease management, and diabetes patient registries are associated with better processes and outcomes of care. The purpose of this article is to describe the development and use of registries in the Alberta's Caring for Diabetes (ABCD) project to identify and reach target populations for quality-improvement interventions in the primary care setting. METHODS: We applied the reach, effectiveness, adoption, implementation and maintenance (RE-AIM) framework and expanded the definition of reach beyond the individual (i.e. patient) level to include the ability to identify target populations at an organizational level. To characterize reach and the implementation of registries, semistructured interviews were conducted with key informants, and a usual-care checklist was compiled for each participating Primary Care Network (PCN). Content analysis was used to analyze qualitative data. RESULTS: Using registries to identify and recruit participants for the ABCD interventions proved challenging. The quality of the registries depended on whether physicians granted PCN access to patient lists, the strategies used in development, the reliability of diagnostic information and the data elements collected. In addition, once a diabetes registry was developed, there was limited ability to update it. CONCLUSIONS: Proactive management of chronic diseases like diabetes requires the ability to reach targeted patients at the population level. We observed several challenges to the development and application of patient registries. Given the importance of valid registries, strong collaborations and novel strategies that involve policy-makers, PCNs and providers are needed to help find solutions to improve registry quality and resolve maintenance issues.

Delivering opioid maintenance treatment in rural and remote settings.

OBJECTIVE: This study explored the delivery of opioid maintenance treatment (OMT) from a specialist program in rural and remote New South Wales (NSW), focusing on the viability of the model and strategies for its improvement. DESIGN: Program evaluation examining configuration and delivery, client characteristics and trends in demand, using policy documents, service data and stakeholder consultations (n = 28). SETTING: The Greater Western Area Health Service, a sparsely populated and large geographic area in NSW. RESULTS: There were four service hubs or primary sites. Three sites were co-located with hospitals and one within community health, with all sites providing assessment, prescribing, dispensing and limited case management. Staff were mainly trained nurses, while prescribers were visiting specialists or sessional GPs. There was minimal OMT provision by community prescribers and dispensers. In 2009, there were 638 clients. They were younger on average than those in OMT across Australia. The most common principal drug of concern was heroin (37-85% of clients), while around one-fifth of clients identified prescription opioids (18-23%). There was a substantial increase in OMT provision between 2006 and 2009 at three program sites. Staff at the sites had limited capacity to engage primary health services and thus reduce their client load. CONCLUSIONS: Findings indicate the need to adjust funding to account for increased demand for OMT and to establish a financial incentive for GP prescribers. Dedicated resourcing is needed for a capacity building role to support the uptake of prescribing and dispensing in community services.

Factor structure and measurement invariance of the Health Education Impact Questionnaire: Does the subjectivity of the response perspective threaten the contextual validity of inferences?

OBJECTIVE: On-going evidence is required to support the validity of inferences about change and group differences in the evaluation of health programs, particularly when self-report scales requiring substantial subjectivity in response generation are used as outcome measures. Following this reasoning, the aim of this study was to replicate the factor structure and investigate the measurement invariance of the latest version of the Health Education Impact Questionnaire, a widely used health program evaluation measure. METHODS: An archived dataset of responses to the most recent version of the English-language Health Education Impact Questionnaire that uses four rather than six response options (N = 3221) was analysed using exploratory structural equation modelling and confirmatory factor analysis appropriate for ordered categorical data. Metric and scalar invariance were studied following recent recommendations in the literature to apply fully invariant unconditional models with minimum constraints necessary for model identification. RESULTS: The original eight-factor structure was replicated and all but one of the scales (Self Monitoring and Insight) was found to consist of unifactorial items with reliability of ⩾0.8 and satisfactory discriminant validity. Configural, metric and scalar invariance were established across pre-test to post-test and population sub-groups (sex, age, education, ethnic background). CONCLUSION: The results support the high level of interest in the Health Education Impact Questionnaire, particularly for use as a pre-test/post-test measure in experimental studies, other pre-post evaluation designs and system-level monitoring and evaluation.

Calidad de atención programa AUGE cáncer cérvicouterino: diferencias y similitudes entre usuarias y profesionales / Perception of the quality of care received and given in the cervical cancer AUGE program of the Servicio de Salud Metropolitano Sur Oriente

Antecedentes: El cáncer cérvicouterino (CC) es considerada patología GES. Desde su implementación no se reporta evaluación de la calidad de atención del Programa. Objetivo: Conocer la percepción de la calidad de la atención recibida y otorgada en el Programa AUGE-CC del Servicio de Salud Metropolitano Sur Oriente. Método: Estudio descriptivo de corte transversal con un grupo de 364 usuarias y 59 profesionales de los tres niveles de atención. Para evaluar la calidad de atención de usuarias y profesionales se utilizó el instrumento INCA-AUGE. Resultados: Dimensión I: La nota brindada al programa por las usuarias fue 6,3 versus 5,9 de los profesionales. Dimensión II: 78 por ciento de las usuarias percibe un trato humanizado, versus el 48 por ciento de los profesionales que perciben otorgar un trato humanizado en la atención. Dimensión III: 40 por ciento de las mujeres considera suficiente la dotación de personal del programa, a diferencia de los profesionales en que solo el 15,3 por ciento lo considera adecuado. Dimensión IV: 93 por ciento del grupo de mujeres perciben recibir educación sobre su enfermedad y tratamiento versus el 64,4 por ciento de los profesionales que lo considera. Dimensión V: 80 por ciento de las usuarias percibe que el programa cuenta con los materiales adecuados para entregar una buena atención, a diferencia del 5,1 por ciento de los profesionales que los consideran adecuados. Conclusión: La evaluación en general es buena siendo los profesionales más exigentes. Se identifican áreas de mejora emergentes a través de la comparación de percepciones de usuarias y profesionales, figuras claves implicadas en la evaluación de la calidad de atención.

Background: Cervical Cancer (CC) is a GES pathology. Since its implementation, evaluation of the program's quality of care have not been reported. Objective: Determine the perception of the quality of care received and given in the AUGE Program CC of the Servicio de Salud Metropolitano Sur Oriente. Methodology: Descriptive cross sectional study with a group of 364 users and 59 professionals from the three levels of care. To assess the quality of care of users and professionals was used the instrument INCA-AUGE was used. Results: Dimension I: The grade given by users to this program was a 6.3 versus a 5.9 given by professionals. Dimension II: 78 percent of users perceive a humane treatment, versus a 48 percent of professionals which perceive that treatment provided is humane. Dimension III: 40 percent of women consider that the amount of people working in the program is adequate, unlike professionals that only a 15.3 percent considers it adequate. Dimension IV: 93 percent of the group of women perceives to be educated about their disease and treatment versus 64.4 percent of professionals considers it. Dimension V: 80 percent of users perceived that the program has adequate materials to provide a good care, versus a 5.1 percent of professionals who consider them appropriate. Conclusion: The evaluation is generally good being professionals more demanding. There have been identified emerging areas for improvement by comparing the perceptions of users and professionals, key figures involved in the evaluation of the quality of care.

Análise da avaliação do PSF em municípios de pequeno porte / Analysis of the evaluation of the FHP small cities

No subsistema de saúde público brasileiro o fortalecimento da Atenção Básica teve particular contribuição do Programa Saúde da Família (PSF). Atualmente, o PSF se desenvolve em cenários heterogêneos nos municípios e regiões brasileiras, espelhando a diversidade nacional e a grande variação de intensidade e formas de implantação do programa. A partir de 2005, o Ministério da Saúde (MS) propôs a institucionalização da avaliação do PSF por meio de questionários específicos. Este estudo objetivou analisar de forma crítica o instrumento de avaliação do PSF, proposto pelo MS. Tratase de um estudo descritivo-reflexivo, com base na literatura especializada. A proposta de avaliação, com desenho metodológico quantitativo, limita a apreensão dos diferentes contextos municipais. Também se faz sentir a ausência da avaliação de usuários em relação à qualidade da atenção. Outro fato importante é que a avaliação poderá ser limitada por ser de livre adesão pelos gestores municipais. Por outro lado, a proposta do MS tem o mérito de ser um processo específico e sistematizado de auto-avaliação para o PSF, com integração de diferentes atores, em um referencial metodológico tradicional em qualidade de ações de saúde. A integração do gestor municipal ao Plano Estadual de Avaliação e Monitoramento tem o benefício de envolver estados na harmonização de desigualdades regionais, além de suprir eventuais deficiências técnicas e/ou dificuldades relativas à gestão da estratégia nos municípios. A praticidade e a resolutividade da avaliação do PSF proposta pelo MS certamente terão papel importante para uso do gestor e equipes no direcionamento da estratégia e tomada de decisões.

The Family Health Program (FHP) plays an important role in the strengthening of basic care in the Brazilian public health system. Currently the FHP is spreading over the Brazilian cities and regions, being implemented with different intensity and in different forms, reflecting the diversity of the country itself. In 2005, the Ministry of Health (MH) proposed evaluating the Family Health Program by means of specific questionnaires. The aim of this descriptive reflective study is to conduct a critical analysis of the instrument proposed by the Ministry of Health for evaluating the FHP in the light of the specialized literature. The proposed quantitative evaluation methodology is limiting the comprehension of the different local contexts. Moreover, there is a lack of user-based evaluation as refers to the quality of the delivered services. Another important limitation is that the participation of the municipal administrations in the evaluation is optional. On the other hand, the proposal of the Ministry has the merit of representing a specific and systematized self-evaluation process for the FHP, integrating the opinion of different actors in a methodological approach traditionally accepted for evaluating the quality of health actions. The integration of the municipal administrations to the Evaluation and Monitoring Plan of the states has the advantage of involving the states in the harmonization of regional inequalities and in the solution of possible technical deficiencies and/or management difficulties on municipal level. The functionality and resolutivity of the evaluation methodology proposed by the Ministry of Health will certainly play an important role in the strategic decision-making of public managers and health teams.