[Healthcare for premenstrual discomfort patients. Women's perspective]. / Atención sanitaria al malestar premenstrual. La perspectiva de las mujeres.

OBJECTIVE: The prevalence of premenstrual discomfort among Spanish women is very high, and has a negative impact on their quality of life. By adopting the biopsychosocial approach, this study aims to understand women's experiences and insights, delve further into their beliefs and attitudes towards premenstrual syndrome and menstrual suppression, and to identify their proposals in order to adapt healthcare professionals' response to their needs and demands. METHODS: A qualitative study was conducted based on individual in-depth interviews with 16 women located in the Granada region. Purposive sampling was made using theoretical profiles. Informed consent was given. The study included data assessment, investigator triangulation, and a literature review. RESULTS: Premenstrual discomfort has an impact on physical and psychological health, disrupting daily lives and resulting in self-medication. Healthcare is considered deficient, since remedies are limited to medicalisation, but the source of the discomfort is not investigated. Different beliefs about the premenstrual syndrome (PMS) were found: PMS is inherent to menstrual cycle and cannot be avoided; PMS is the result of endogenous factors (such as genetics, defects or biochemical and hormonal disorders); exogenous factors (such as stress, eating habits, or exercise); the science and industry describe and treat PMS as a disease. Menstrual suppression is considered an option by women with children, though there is reticence due to the side effects found. Health education programmes for women are proposed, as well as the appropriate training for health professionals in order to overcome the pharmacological approach. CONCLUSIONS: The biopsychosocial approach helps to determine the perspective of the women, their needs and expectations in order to provide better healthcare services to premenstrual discomfort patients.

[Elaboration and validation of an informative document on adenoamigdalectomy for patients]. / Elaboración y validación de un documento informativo sobre adeno-amigdalectomía para pacientes.

BACKGROUND: Access to up-to-date and understandable health information is a growing citizen demand, as well as an ethical duty and a legal regulation. Written information reinforces information transmitted orally during the consultation and improves recall capacity. Adenoamigdalectomy is an intervention that affects a high number of patients, the majority from the child population that has a high emotional sensitivity, and it is experienced by parents with considerable anxiety. An informative guide on adenoamigdalectomy was elaborated and validated. The aim of this article is to describe the process of elaborating the document, emphasizing its validation and results. MATERIAL AND METHODS: The document was validated in three phases: A) Clinical content validated by professionals with a checklist and a consensus meeting; B) Analysis of grammatical legibility according to the Flesch index; C) Validation of lexical legibility with citizens by means of a validation guide and interviews. RESULTS: The validation by professionals and citizens was highly positive. The professionals stressed the accuracy of the content and corrected some imprecisions. They made suggestions concerning format, writing style and length. The citizens stressed understandable language, resolution of doubts, respectful tone and their satisfaction with the initiative. They also differed on aspects such as their opinion of the document's length. CONCLUSIONS: The validation of informative documents by both professionals and patients is a process of great interest. Lack of agreement in their analyses makes it clear why it is important to include both sectors. The document was improved by their contributions.

[Evaluation of a child health prevention and promotion telephone service before its introduction]. / Evaluación de un servicio telefónico de prevención y promoción de salud infantil antes de su puesta en funcionamiento.

OBJECTIVES: To evaluate a telephone-information service on health issues for children before its implementation. To determine the overall assessment of the service and quality of the information available from the perspective of a potential user population. DESIGN: Simulation of a telephone call to the telephone service and further evaluation using qualitative techniques. SETTING: Primary and special care in the city of Granada. PARTICIPANTS: Parents, who were not health professionals, of children between 0 and 14 years old, resident in Andalusia and recruited from both primary care and hospitals throughout the city of Granada. A comprehensive assessment of service and quality of information offered through interviews and focus groups. The number of participants was established on two criteria: evaluation of the whole range of information provided by the telephone service; response saturation. RESULTS: The overall service assessment was positive, emphasising the quick and easy access to information, time saving and confidence building. The information received was described as clear, easily understood and expressed in a respectful tone. To improve the service it has been suggested that the calls be free and that the range of information topics available should be extended. CONCLUSIONS: The methodology used is novel, as most telephone services are evaluated after they have been put in place and without the participation of the future users.