Self-care: Concept, Rationale, and Framework

AbstractThe role and importance of self-care in the continuum of health care are becoming important subjects of debate among social scientists and health professionals. Interest in the self-care component of health services is stimulated by the convergence of diverse pressures common to health services systems. Depersonalized medical care, rising costs of high technology, focus on curative care, growth of lay knowledge, recognition of the limits of medical care, and documentation of the impact of the individual’s health behavior on patterns of morbidity are all factors stimulating new thinking regarding the importance of individuals and families to the effective and efficient functioning of health service systems.

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Harmonization of European and Russian standards of evaluation of the quality of delivery of health care in educational organizations

Российский педиатрический журнал ◽

10.18821/1560-9561-2016-19-3-157-162 ◽

2019 ◽

Vol 19 (3) ◽

pp. 157-162

Author(s):

V. R. Kuchma ◽

Svetlana B. Sokolova

Keyword(s):

Health Care ◽

Health Services ◽

Medical Care ◽

Health Care Workers ◽

Health Professionals ◽

School Health ◽

Educational Institutions ◽

Medical Aid ◽

Care Workers

Harmonization of European and Russian standards of the quality of the delivery of school health services and competencies for school health professionals allowed to justify the concept of the evaluation of the quality of the delivery of medical help to students in educational institutions. The concept does not prescribe a concrete methodfor the organizing school health services, unified process of the activity of health professionals. The concept consists of 7 groups of indices of quality and competences of health care workers. Quality criteria include the presence of a regulatory framework, indices of benevolence towards children, social equity and access to health care for students, requirements for premises, equipment of medical rooms in schools, cooperation with the administration and teachers of schools, parents and children, the medical community, the requirements for health care workers, a minimum list of services, covering both population and individual needs of students, the secure storage, the management and use ofpersonal medical data of children and adolescents. The competences of the staff of medical units are determined by provided medical services and technologies of the work. Properly medical competences of workers of medical care units for the delivery of medical aid to students are contributed by willingness to ensure the rights of children in the process of health care delivery in the educational organization, skills in the field of communication, sharing of information with children, parents and teachers, cooperation with colleagues, planning and coordination of the organization of medical care, the provision of sanitary epidemiological well-being of students, informational-elucidative activity for shaping of healthy lifestyle, research activity. Concept is the basis of the algorithm of the evaluation of the quality of the delivery of medical aid to students and quality assessment technology as well by medical organizations and institutions, as in the form of an independent audit of the quality of the delivery of medical aid to students in educational institutions.

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Why Do Approved Mental Health Professionals Think Detentions under the Mental Health Act Are Rising and What Do They Think Should Be Done about It?

The British Journal of Social Work ◽

10.1093/bjsw/bcaa001 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 50 (2) ◽

pp. 616-633 ◽

Cited By ~ 1

Author(s):

Michael Bonnet ◽

Nicola Moran

Keyword(s):

Mental Health ◽

Mental Health Services ◽

Health Services ◽

Mental Health Professionals ◽

Health Professionals ◽

Online Survey ◽

Social Risk ◽

Social Risk Factors ◽

Mental Health Act ◽

The Impact

Abstract The number of people detained under the 1983 Mental Health Act has risen significantly in recent years and has recently been the subject of an independent review. Most existing research into the rise in detentions has tended to prioritise the perspectives of psychiatrists and failed to consider the views of Approved Mental Health Professionals (AMHPs), usually social workers, who ultimately determine whether detention is appropriate. This mixed-methods study focused on AMHPs’ views on the reasons behind the rise in detentions and potential solutions. It included a national online survey of AMHPs (n = 160) and semi-structured interviews with six AMHPs within a Community Mental Health Team in England. AMHPs reported that demand for mental health services vastly exceeded supply and, due to inadequate resources, more people were being detained in hospital. AMHPs argued that greater investment in preventative mental health services and ‘low intensity’ support would help to mitigate the impact of social risk factors on mental health; and greater investment in crisis services, including non-medical alternatives to hospital, was required. Such investment at either end of the spectrum was expected to be more effective than changes to the law and lead to better outcomes for mental health service users.

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The Impact of a Community-Wide Self-Care Information Project on Self-Care and Medical Care Utilization

Evaluation & the Health Professions ◽

10.1177/01632780122034984 ◽

2001 ◽

Vol 24 (4) ◽

pp. 404-423 ◽

Cited By ~ 14

Author(s):

Judith H. Hibbard ◽

Merwyn Greenlick ◽

Holly Jimison ◽

Jeffrey Capizzi ◽

Lynn Kunkel

Keyword(s):

Medical Care ◽

Self Care ◽

Care Utilization ◽

Medical Care Utilization ◽

Care Information ◽

The Impact ◽

Information Project

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Use of a controlled trial to evaluate the impact of self-care on health services utilization

Journal of Ambulatory Care Management ◽

10.1097/00004479-198611000-00004 ◽

1986 ◽

Vol 9 (4) ◽

pp. 16-22 ◽

Cited By ~ 4

Author(s):

Andy Stergachis

Keyword(s):

Health Services ◽

Health Services Utilization ◽

Controlled Trial ◽

Self Care ◽

Services Utilization ◽

The Impact

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COVID-19 concerns, health services utilisation and social support among Western Australians with diabetes during the pandemic

Evaluation Journal of Australasia ◽

10.1177/1035719x211040857 ◽

2021 ◽

pp. 1035719X2110408

Author(s):

Jenny L Olson ◽

Enrique Mergelsberg ◽

Jessica Jensen ◽

Deborah Schofield ◽

Natasha Watson

Keyword(s):

Health Services ◽

Online Survey ◽

Self Care ◽

Routine Care ◽

Service Utilisation ◽

Health Crisis ◽

Optimal Service ◽

Increased Risk ◽

Pragmatic Assessment ◽

The Impact

People with diabetes face increased risk of serious COVID-19 complications, making self-care for optimal metabolic management crucial. However, the pandemic has reduced access to routine care among people with diabetes. The pandemic can also elicit distress, which can impact diabetes self-management and health. To understand the impact of COVID-19 on Western Australians with diabetes, we conducted an evaluation involving an online survey of consumers of diabetes health services and an analysis of routine program data (i.e. service utilisation/program attendance). Survey respondents were concerned about contracting COVID-19, many intended to change the way they utilised health services and many indicated they would continue to socially isolate. Utilisation of digital/telephone services peaked between April and June 2020. Despite the concerns indicated, a participation resurgence was observed upon resumption of face-to-face programs. Continued access to diabetes programs via multiple modes of delivery is critical to support optimal self-care and mitigate COVID-19 risks, distress and social isolation. This timely and pragmatic assessment of consumer beliefs synthesised with routinely collected evaluation data represents an agile approach to evaluation through an emerging public health crisis. The findings helped to ensure optimal service delivery to meet the needs of this priority population throughout the pandemic.

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Impact of COVID-19 and Partial Lockdown on Access to Care, Self-Management and Psychological Well-being among People with Diabetes: A Cross-sectional Study

10.22541/au.160770440.01726562/v1 ◽

2020 ◽

Author(s):

Ester Yeoh ◽

Sooon Guan Tan ◽

Yingshan Lee ◽

Ying Yee Low ◽

Su Chi Lim ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Mental Health ◽

Psychological Distress ◽

Health Services ◽

Clinical Care ◽

Self Care ◽

Well Being ◽

Cross Sectional ◽

Disinhibited Eating ◽

Health Services Access ◽

The Impact

Background The impact of lockdown measures can be widespread, affecting both clinical and psychosocial aspects of health. This study aims to assess changes in health services access, diabetes self-care, behavioral and psychological impact of COVID-19 and partial lockdown in Singapore. Methods We conducted a cross-sectional online survey amongst people with diabetes with the Diabetes Health Profile-18 (DHP-18). Hierarchical regression analyses were performed for each DHP-18 subscale (Psychological Distress, Disinhibited Eating and Barriers to Activity) as dependent variables in separate models. Results Among 301 respondents, 45.2% were women, majority were ethnic Chinese (67.1%), aged 40 to 49 years (24.2%), have Type 2 diabetes (68.4%) and on oral medications (42.2%). During the lockdown, nearly all respondents were able to obtain their medications, supplies (94%) and contact their doctors (97%) when needed. Respondents reported less physical activity (38%), checking of blood pressure (29%) and blood glucose (22%). Previous diagnosis of mental health conditions (β=11.44, p= 0.017), diabetes-related comorbidities (β= 3.98, p= 0.001) and Indian ethnicity (β= 7.73, p= 0.018) were significantly associated with higher psychological distress. Comorbidities were associated with higher disinhibited eating (β= 2.71, p= 0.007) while mental health condition was associated with greater barriers to activities (β= 9.63, p= 0.033). Conclusion Health services access were minimally affected but COVID-19 and lockdown had mixed impact on self-care and management behaviors. Greater clinical care and attention should be provided to people with diabetes with greater number of comorbidities and previous mental health disorders during the pandemic and lockdown.

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Self-care for health professionals

10.1093/med/9780199234356.003.0053 ◽

2010 ◽

Author(s):

Max Watson ◽

Caroline Lucas ◽

Andrew Hoy ◽

Jo Wells

Keyword(s):

Health Professionals ◽

Self Care ◽

Warning Signs ◽

The Impact ◽

Prolonged Stress

This chapter covers self-care for health professionals, and focuses on the impact of caring for dying people, including sources of stress, warning signs of prolonged stress, and strategies for dealing with stress.

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The “constant tug-of-war” in mental health care in Greece

Mental Health Review Journal ◽

10.1108/mhrj-11-2017-0050 ◽

2018 ◽

Vol 23 (3) ◽

pp. 121-130 ◽

Cited By ~ 1

Author(s):

Niki Kyriakidou ◽

Sofia Triliva

Keyword(s):

Mental Health ◽

Mental Health Services ◽

Health Services ◽

Mental Health Professionals ◽

Health Professionals ◽

Public Mental Health ◽

Service Users ◽

Content Type ◽

Therapeutic Services ◽

The Impact

Purpose The purpose of this paper is to focus on how mental health professionals involved in the therapeutic treatment of children in public mental health facilities in Greece experience and talk about the impact of the socioeconomic crises on the psychotherapeutic process. Design/methodology/approach In all, 21 semi-structured interviews were conducted and phenomenologically informed thematic analysis was used in analysing the data. Findings The results coalesced into two all-encompassing thematic structures articulating the following: first, the socioeconomic crises have permeated society and therapeutic praxis like a torrential and chronic rain storm. This has resulted in a deluge in demand for therapeutic services within the public mental health sector; second, mental health professionals describe their positioning and work as “a constant tug-of-war” where they are inundated and often overwhelmed with work, find themselves identifying with service users and taking on several roles simultaneously, and being challenged to find solutions often in dire and complex situations. They describe how creativity and flexibility are in demand in their day-to-day interactions and if they are to intervene in place of a health and welfare system that is faltering. Doing therapeutic work under such circumstances appears to be both emotionally onerous and stimulating with regard to conceptualising new ways of intervening in such complex psychosocial situations. Research limitations/implications The study is limited in that only mental health professionals presented their experiences and service users were not included. The findings do highlight how severe austerity policies impact mental health services and peoples’ lives. Practical implications The study has implications for policy regarding the provision and organisation of mental health services in contexts where crises and economic turmoil prevail. Social implications The results associate severe austerity with major changes in family and community life. Originality/value The paper provides insights and implications on how mental health services are impacted by socioeconomic conditions.

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Program Evaluation for Health Professionals: What It Is, What It Isn’t and How to Do It

International Journal of Qualitative Methods ◽

10.1177/1609406920964345 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 19 ◽

pp. 160940692096434

Author(s):

Jeffery Adams ◽

Stephen Neville

Keyword(s):

Health Care ◽

Program Evaluation ◽

Health Services ◽

Health Professionals ◽

Work Experience ◽

Evaluation Practice ◽

Value Judgements ◽

Suitable Framework ◽

The Impact

Health professionals deliver a range of health services to individuals and communities. The evaluation of these services is an important component of these programs and health professionals should have the requisite knowledge, attributes, and skills to evaluate the impact of the services they provide. However, health professionals are seldom adequately prepared by their training or work experience to do this well. In this article we provide a suitable framework and guidance to enable health professionals to appropriately undertake useful program evaluation. We introduce and discuss “Easy Evaluation” and provide guidelines for its implementation. The framework presented distinguishes program evaluation from research and encourages health professionals to apply an evaluative lens in order that value judgements about the merit, worth, and significance of programs can be made. Examples from our evaluation practice are drawn on to illustrate how program evaluation can be used across the health care spectrum.

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