Self-perception of primary health-care staff about physical activity on prescription: A qualitative semi-structured interview / Autopercepción de los profesionales sanitarios de Atención Primaria sobre la promoción y prescripción de ejercicio físico: entrevista cualitativa semiestructurada

Objective This study aimed to analyze the self-perception at primary health-care (PHC) nurses and general practitioners (GPs) toward PAP implementation in PHC centers. Material and methods Two semi-structured group interviews were performed separately, with five GPs and nurses working in the PHC system in the region of Madrid (Spain). An expert psychologist guided each semi-structured session. The interviews were transcribed verbatim and consensually analyzed using a content analysis. Results Half of the PHC staff considered themselves physically active and were convinced that physically active staff behavior could facilitate PAP with patients. Both GPs and nurses showed a lack of knowledge of exercise prescription but were interested in PAP and motivational training courses, as well as leadership or to collaborate under a multidisciplinary or interdisciplinary PAP approach. Some of the most relevant self-perceived PAP barriers were a confident method to measure sedentary and physical activity levels. Besides lack of staff awareness, time of consultation, and improving local community relationships and PAP policies strategies. Conclusions There are some common self-perceptions, barriers, and facilitators among PHC nurses and GPs for PAP implementation. Following a socio-ecologic approach, this organizational data provides further insight to design a future cost-effective policy strategy to improve patient health and health-care system sustainability. (AU)

Objetivo Este estudio tiene como objetivo analizar la autopercepción de las enfermeras y médicos de Atención Primaria para implementar la promoción y prescripción de ejercicio físico en sus centros. Material y métodos Dos entrevistas grupales semiestructuradas, con cinco enfermeras y cinco médicos que se encontraban trabajando en ese momento en el Sistema de Salud de la Comunidad de Madrid (España), fueron desarrolladas de forma independiente. Un psicólogo experto guio cada una de las sesiones. Las entrevistas grabadas, fueron transcritas y analizado su contenido de forma consensuada. Resultados La mitad de los profesionales sanitarios entrevistados se consideraron a sí mismos físicamente activos y convencidos de que dicho comportamiento podría facilitar la promoción y prescripción de ejercicio físico hacía sus pacientes. Ambos grupos mostraron una falta de conocimiento para prescribir ejercicio físico, pero se sentían interesados en adquirir la formación mediante cursos, así como de recibir formación para entrevistar de forma motivacional a sus pacientes. También mostraron liderazgo o colaboración para implementar la promoción y prescripción de ejercicio físico bajo un enfoque multi o interdisciplinar con otros profesionales. Algunas de las barreras sugeridas por ambos profesionales fue la falta de un método seguro para comprobar los niveles de actividad física y sedentarismo de sus pacientes. Además, de la falta de concienciación de sus compañeros de profesión, el limitado tiempo de consulta que poseen con cada paciente, y mejorar la colaboración con otros recursos comunitarios y desarrollar estrategias políticas adecuadas. Conclusiones Existen autopercepciones, barreras y facilitadores comunes entre los médicos y enfermeras de Atención Primaria para implementar la promoción y prescripción de ejercicio físico... (AU)

Self-perception of primary health-care staff about physical activity on prescription: A qualitative semi-structured interview.

OBJECTIVE: This study aimed to analyze the self-perception at primary health-care (PHC) nurses and general practitioners (GPs) toward PAP implementation in PHC centers. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Two semi-structured group interviews were performed separately, with five GPs and nurses working in the PHC system in the region of Madrid (Spain). An expert psychologist guided each semi-structured session. The interviews were transcribed verbatim and consensually analyzed using a content analysis. RESULTS: Half of the PHC staff considered themselves physically active and were convinced that physically active staff behavior could facilitate PAP with patients. Both GPs and nurses showed a lack of knowledge of exercise prescription but were interested in PAP and motivational training courses, as well as leadership or to collaborate under a multidisciplinary or interdisciplinary PAP approach. Some of the most relevant self-perceived PAP barriers were a confident method to measure sedentary and physical activity levels. Besides lack of staff awareness, time of consultation, and improving local community relationships and PAP policies strategies. CONCLUSIONS: There are some common self-perceptions, barriers, and facilitators among PHC nurses and GPs for PAP implementation. Following a socio-ecologic approach, this organizational data provides further insight to design a future cost-effective policy strategy to improve patient health and health-care system sustainability.

Mediterranean diet, moderate-to-high intensity training, and health-related quality of life in adults with metabolic syndrome.

BACKGROUND: Much recent research has focused on the benefits of the Mediterranean diet on risk factors of metabolic syndrome (MetS). In addition numerous investigations have also demonstrated that moderate and high-intensity endurance training may induce greater beneficial adaptations in body composition and cardiometabolic risk than low-intensity endurance training. How a model of Mediterranean diet with and without moderate-to-high intensity training influences health-related quality of life (HRQoL) and physical fitness in MetS patients is unknown. DESIGN AND METHODS: A total of 45 sedentary MetS males and females (50⊟66 years) were randomly divided into two groups: (a) hypocaloric, normoproteic Mediterranean diet (MeD); and (b) the same diet plus periodized moderate-to-high intensity training (MeDE) for 12 weeks. HRQoL (EuroQol and SF-36 questionnaires), fitness, response to submaximal exercise, and risk factors of MetS were determined before and after treatment. RESULTS: MeD improved some physical and mental domains of HRQoL (physical function, vitality, general physical health, emotional role, and self-perception of health) and resulted in weight loss and improvement of MetS risk factors (intra-group p < 0.05). Moreover, the MeDE intervention resulted in greater improvement in these domains and the improvement of other HRQoL components (physical role, bodily pain, social function, and health profile). MeDE increased physical fitness, resulted in a better physiological response to submaximal effort and caused a greater weight loss (intra-group and inter-group, p < 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: A model of hypocaloric Mediterranean diet combined with periodized moderate-to-high intensity training may lead to greater improvement in HRQoL through a greater effect on physical and functional fitness, bodyweight, and risk factors than diet alone.

Validation of a food frequency questionnaire in Spanish patients with familial hypercholesterolaemia.

BACKGROUND AND AIMS: The aim of this study is to validate a semi-quantitative Food Frequency Questionnaire (FFQ) used for general population in Spain, in patients with familial hypercholesterolaemia (FH). SUBJECTS AND METHODS: Subjects with genetic diagnosis of FH were randomly selected from the Spanish FH Registry. They completed an FFQ based in 113 food items at inclusion (FFQ1) and after 1 year (FFQ2), and a 3-day dietary records (DR) every 3 months. Detailed instruction about how to register foods and beverages was given by a trained nutritionist. Each DR and FFQ was systematically coded, and the daily nutrients intake in absolute, percentage and nutrient density terms were estimated using a software system based on food composition tables. Pearson correlation coefficient was calculated with correction-repeated measurements to assess the reproducibility of both FFQ and the four 3-day DRs, as well as the validity of FFQ comparing to the mean of 3 days' DR. RESULTS: A total of 112 subjects (58 females and 54 males, aged 43 ± 16 years) finished the study. There were no differences between FFQ1, FFQ2 and mean FFQ (FFQa) in mean absolute and percentage values of selected daily nutrients' intake. Comparison between FFQ1, FFQ2, FFQa and the mean of four 3-day DRs was statistically significant in all absolute values, but not in percentage or nutrient density terms. Corrected Pearson correlation coefficient ranged from 0.470 to 0.952 for mean values of all nutrients, except alcohol. CONCLUSION: This study demonstrated that FFQ is a reliable tool to assess the dietary pattern in FH patients.

La enseñanza virtual de imágenes clínicas, tutorizadas mediante correo electrónico, es más eficiente que la enseñanza tradicional / On-line learning with e-mail tutoring for clinical images is more efficient than traditional teaching methods

Introducción. La enseñanza de la patología médica a través de imágenes es la clave para conseguir habilidad clínica en el diagnóstico. Objetivos. Comparar la eficacia docente de un método de enseñanza basado en imágenes en un entorno no presencial frente a la enseñanza tradicional en un entorno presencial, y evaluar el grado de satisfacción del alumno sobre este método de innovación docente en la enseñanza de la patología médica. Materiales y métodos. El estudio se realizó durante el curso 2005-2006 entre 62 alumnos de Patología médica, de la Facultad de Medicina de Córdoba. Se compararon los dos métodos de enseñanza: el presencial (en cada seminario se expusieron verbalmente 15 imágenes) y en el no presencial (imágenes clínicas expuestas en la página web de la Facultad de Medicina con tutorización a través del correo electrónico). La evaluación consistió en la valoración clínica de 16 imágenes (ocho imágenes de cada modelo de enseñanza). Se comparó la puntuación del examen teórico con la de las imágenes clínicas. Tras el examen final, el alumno realizó un cuestionario de evaluación. Resultados. La calificación media final de las imágenes (sobre 10 puntos) fue de: 6.8+/-1.5 y la del test (sobre 10 puntos) fue de 7.3+/-0.9. La calificación media de las imágenes expuestas en la web (7.4+/-1.6) fue superior a la del modelo presencial (6.3+/-1.7) p<0.0001. Existía una correlación entre la puntuación total de la imagen y la del test (r:0.584, p<0.0001). Asimismo, se correlacionaba la calificación de la imagen del modelo presencial y la e la imagen expuesta en al web (r:0.697, p<0.0001. Conclusiones. Las calificaciones de los casos expuestos en la web fueron superiores a las de los casos expuestos en los seminarios presenciales. La enseñanza de la patología médica a través de imágenes clínicas fue un método muy bien considerado por los alumnos (AU)

Introduction. The teaching of Internal Medicine through images is the key for the achievement of clinical skills in the diagnosis. Aims. To compare the efficiency of a teaching method based on images in a face-to-face learning situation with the traditional teaching methods, and to evaluate the degree of satisfaction amongst the alumni regarding the new teaching method within the Internal Medicine. Materials and methods. The study was carried out throughout the academic year 2005/06 amongst 62 Internal Medicine students in the School of Medicine in Córdoba. Two teaching methods were compared: (i) face-to-face- 15 images were exposed in workshop, and (ii)distance-clinical images were exposed at the School of Medicine web site through a tutorial system based on e-mail. The evaluation consisted in a clinical evaluation of 16 images-8 images for each teaching method. The results from the multiple choice exam and the clinical images exam were also compared. Finally, students answered an assessment questionnaire. Results. The final average qualification – out of 10- for the images was: 6.8+/-1.5 and fot the multiple choice exam – out of 10- was 7.3+/-0.9. The average qualification was higher for the images exposed at the web site than for the face-to-face model: (7.4+/-1.6) vs (6.3+/-1.7) p<0.0001. There was a correlation between the total punctuation for the images and the examination (r:0.584, p<0.0001). Moreover, there was also a correlation between the qualification obtained for the images in the face-to-face method and the images exposed on-line (r:0.697, p<0.0001). Conclusions: Qulaifications for the cases displayed on the website were higher than those for the cases exposed on the face-to-face workshops. In addition to this, students had a very positive opinion regarding the new teaching method for Internal Medicine based on clinical images (AU)