A Framework for Best Practice Health Promotion in Primary Health Care

2001 ◽  
Vol 7 (1) ◽  
pp. 101
Author(s):  
Meredith Swaby ◽  
Amanda Biesot

ISIS Primary Care provides health and welfare services to the municipalities of Brimbank, Hobsons Bay and Wyndham. An organisational commitment was made to establish an integrated approach to health promotion that would result in best practice health promotion within the community and in partnership with other agencies. To achieve this it was necessary to develop internal organisational skills and processes as well as formalise the relationships with agencies within the catchment. A "framework for best practice health promotion" was developed with a number of interrelated components occurring concurrently at several levels within the organisation and externally. This encompasses a structural framework with a Health Promotion Reference Group of key intersectoral stakeholders, as well as six Health Promotion Working Groups across the organisation each focussing on identified health issues. The strategic framework is a procedural document outlining processes for planning, implementation and evaluation of health promotion at an organisational level. The supporting framework includes detailed program planning and evaluation guidelines and workforce development. The implementation of this framework has resulted in a coordinated and sustainable approach to health promotion across the catchment with opportunities for successful partnerships, capacity building, resource sharing and increased program reach in meeting the perceived needs of the community.

2020 ◽  
Vol 19 (2) ◽  
pp. 139-145
Author(s):  
Sheena Chhabra ◽  
Apurva Bakshi ◽  
Ravineet Kaur

Nutraceuticals have been around for quite some time. As the nomenclature suggests, they are placed somewhere between food (nutra-) and medicine (-ceuticals) in terms of their impact on human health. Researches have focused on the impact of various types of nutraceuticals on health, their efficacy in health promotion and disease prevention, and often on suitable uses of certain categories of nutraceuticals for specific health issues. However, we are still far from utilizing the immense potential of nutraceuticals for benefiting human health in a substantial manner. We review the available scholarly literature regarding the role of nutraceuticals in health promotion, their efficacy in disease prevention and the perception of nutraceuticals' health benefits by consumers. Thereafter we analyze the need for regulation of nutraceuticals and various provisions regarding the same.


Author(s):  
Sharmi Bascarane ◽  
Pooja P. Kuppili ◽  
Vikas Menon

Abstract Background Psychiatric disorders are more common among people undergoing cosmetic procedures than the general population and evaluating mental health can be cumbersome for plastic surgeons. We aim to summarize the available literature in this regard and propose an integrated approach to psychiatric assessment and management of mental health issues among this group. Methods Electronic search of MEDLINE, Google Scholar, and PsycINFO databases was done to identify relevant peer-reviewed English language articles from inception till April 2020. Generated abstracts were screened for their eligibility. Included articles were grouped according to their thematic focus under the following headings; prevalence of psychiatric morbidity among clients posted for cosmetic surgery, assessment tools, and management of psychiatric morbidity in relation to undergoing cosmetic surgery. Results A total of 120 articles were reviewed. The prevalence of psychiatric disorder in patients undergoing cosmetic surgery was 4 to 57% for body dysmorphic disorder (BDD); the corresponding figures for depression, anxiety, and personality disorder were 4.8 to 25.8, 10.8 to 22, and 0 to 53%, respectively. A range of tools have been used to assess these disorders and specific measures are also available to assess clinical outcomes following surgery. Screening for these disorders is essential to prevent unnecessary surgical procedures, as well as to ensure timely management of the psychiatric comorbidity. Conclusion Psychiatric morbidity is a common concomitant in cosmetic surgery. A structured and integrated approach to evaluation and management of psychiatric morbidity will help to optimize postsurgical outcomes.


2020 ◽  
Vol 30 (Supplement_5) ◽  
Author(s):  
C Rossmann ◽  
F De Bock

Abstract The good practice portal of the Federal Centre for Health Education (BZgA) consists of a nationwide collection of projects and interventions to promote the health of socially disadvantaged groups at community/setting level. An exchange platform (inforo) is also offered via the operating agency, although its use is still limited. The results of the evaluation of the platform suggest that the provision of practical projects and exchange of knowledge alone is not sufficient to support policy makers and practitioners who want to promote health in the community/setting. There is a need for advice on needs assessment, selection and appropriate implementation of health promotion measures. A comprehensive approach currently being tested in the field of activity promotion for older people is the provision of a web-based “toolbox” comprising the following tools: assessment instruments for analysing the need for health promotion measures, a user-friendly intervention/project database and broader evidence synthesis documents, as well as information on project management (organisational, legal, financial). Following the example of other best practice portals, a ranking methodology was developed to make the level of effectiveness of interventions visible and the evaluation requirements transparent. Evidence synthesis documents provide an entry point to learn more generally what works in a particular area of health promotion. In order to make the “toolbox” accessible to policy-makers and practitioners, information from previous studies was used in the development with regard to content and graphical presentation. BZgA is currently working on integrating evidence into the good practice portal. The evaluation of the toolbox in a small area of health promotion will provide initial insights into the inclusion of evidence and its added value. This presentation will conclude with a discussion of possibilities for improvement, challenges and limitations of this approach.


2017 ◽  
Vol 117 (3) ◽  
pp. 323-340 ◽  
Author(s):  
Karen Pickett ◽  
Willeke Rietdijk ◽  
Jenny Byrne ◽  
Jonathan Shepherd ◽  
Paul Roderick ◽  
...  

Purpose The purpose of this paper is to understand early career teachers’ perceptions of the impact of a pre-service health education programme on their health promotion practice in schools and the contextual factors that influence this. Design/methodology/approach Semi-structured interviews were conducted with 14 primary and secondary trainee and qualified teachers who had trained at a university in England. Data were analysed using thematic analysis. Findings The teachers found the training to be a useful introduction, particularly when it was relevant to their practice. They valued gaining practical skills at university, on placement and in school once qualified. They reported that witnessing pupils’ lives in school had increased their awareness that health education is important. Their personal qualities, life experience, the school’s ethos and competing pressures influenced their practice. Teachers considered that building relationships with colleagues, pupils and parents facilitated health promotion, and that health education needs to be relevant to pupils. Some teachers expressed that teaching about health could be a “minefield”. They also discussed whether schools or parents are responsible for educating pupils about health issues and the place of health promotion within education’s wider purpose. Originality/value Few studies have followed-up trainee teachers once they are in teaching posts to explore the longer-term perceived impact of pre-service health education training. The findings suggest that teachers’ development takes place via an interaction between training and practice, suggesting that training could particularly aim to provide teachers with a contextualised understanding of health issues and practical experience.


2017 ◽  
Vol 23 (6) ◽  
pp. 393-403 ◽  
Author(s):  
Brenda G. Kucirka

BACKGROUND: There is an increase in students enrolled in higher education diagnosed with mental illness or experiencing symptoms suggestive of mental health issues (MHI). This has a significant impact on the faculty–student relationship. OBJECTIVES: The purpose of this study was to identify the basic social psychological process that occurs when nursing faculty interact with students with MHI. DESIGN: Grounded theory methodology was implemented to identify the basic social psychological process that occurs when faculty encounter students with MHI. Thirteen nursing faculty were interviewed. Data were analyzed using line by line coding and constant comparative analysis. RESULTS: The resulting substantive theory, navigating the faculty–student relationship in the context of student MHI, is an iterative four-phase process: noticing, responding, experiencing, and reflecting. CONCLUSION: This theory provides a framework for understanding how nursing faculty recognize and address student MHI. The theory can be used to establish interventional strategies and best practice guidelines.


2018 ◽  
Vol 2 (1) ◽  
pp. 01-07
Author(s):  
Ingegerd Hildingsson

Background: Previous research has shown that women with fear of childbirth often suffer from other mental health issues. Continuity of caregiver through a known midwife is best practice for pregnant women, and women with childbirth related fear value continuity of care. In Sweden the maternity care is fragmented and women’s opinion remains under-investigated. Objective: The aim of this study was to investigate emotional well-being and the importance of having a known midwife during birth in women referred to counselling for childbirth related fear. Design: Cross sectional study Setting: 3 Swedish hospitals providing counseling for childbirth related fear. Participants: Women who were referred for counseling due to fear of childbirth. Measures: The importance of having a known midwife at birth, background factors, emotional well-being and attitudes. Results: 77 women referred to counseling consented to participate. The majority of women were likely to present with previous or ongoing emotional distress, high levels of anxiety or depressive symptoms, low Sense of Coherence and Major worries. For the majority of women (71%) it was important to have a known midwife at birth and most important for women with high levels of childbirth fear. Conclusion: This study highlights that women referred to counseling due to fear of childbirth might need additional support to cope with their emotional distress. The results also indicated that having a known midwife at birth was important to these women, especially for women with higher fear. The option of having a known midwife during birth is rarely accomplished in Sweden due to the fragmentation of care.


2019 ◽  
Author(s):  
Devan Richard Tchir ◽  
Michael Lorne Szafron

BACKGROUND Office workers face workplace-related health issues, including stress and back pain, resulting in considerable cost to businesses and health care systems. Workplace health promotion attempts to prevent these health issues, and the internet can be used to deliver workplace health promotion interventions to office workers. Data were provided by Fitbase GmbH, a German company, which specializes in workplace health promotion via the internet (Web-based health). The Web-based health intervention allowed workers to focus on different health categories by using information modules (reading health information) and/or completing practical exercises (guided, interactive health tutorials). OBJECTIVE This study aimed to identify the extent to which office workers have workplace-related health issues, assess whether office workers who differ in their health focus also differ in their improved well-being, and assess whether completing practical exercises is associated with improved well-being compared with reading information modules. METHODS Fitbase GmbH collected data for the period of February 2016 to May 2017 from health insurance employees undergoing Web-based health training in Hamburg, Germany. The data consisted of a needs assessment examining health issues faced by office workers, a wellness questionnaire regarding one’s perception of the Web-based health intervention, and activity logs of information modules and practical exercises completed. Through logistic regression, we determined associations between improved well-being from Web-based health training and differences in a worker’s health focus and a worker’s preferred intervention method. RESULTS Nearly half of the office workers had chronic back pain (1532/3354) and felt tense or irritated (1680/3348). Over four-fifth (645/766) of the office workers indicated that the Web-based health training improved their well-being (<i>P</i>&lt;.001). Office workers who preferred practical exercises compared with information modules had 2.22 times greater odds of reporting improved well-being from the Web-based health intervention (<i>P</i>=.01; 95% CI 1.20-4.11). Office workers with a focus on practical exercises for back health had higher odds of improved well-being compared with other health foci. Office workers focused on practical exercises for back pain had at least two times the odds of having their well-being improved from the Web-based health intervention compared with those focused on stress management (<i>P</i>&lt;.001), mindfulness (<i>P</i>=.02), stress management/mindfulness (<i>P</i>=.005), and eye health (<i>P</i>=.003). No particular health focus was associated with improved well-being for the information modules. CONCLUSIONS Office workers frequently report having back pain and stress. A focus on Web-based health training via practical exercises and practical exercises for back health predict an improvement in office workers’ reported well-being. CLINICALTRIAL


2020 ◽  
Vol 30 (Supplement_5) ◽  
Author(s):  
A Laurent ◽  
C Ferron ◽  
P Berry ◽  
B Soudier ◽  
B Georgelin ◽  
...  

Abstract Issue Effectiveness analyses of health promotion (HP) interventions (HPI) abound nowadays in France, but few research details how HPI work, nor explains how practitioners can translate conclusive evidence from the literature into action. Furthermore, large amounts of experiential knowledge remain untapped and undervalued. To close these gaps, a national multidisciplinary committee, comprising public officials, academics and practitioners, has worked since 2016 at designing a new method to build up knowledge in HP. CEKHP The method aims at Capitalizing, collecting and circulating Experiential Knowledge in HP (CEKHP). Committee members first investigated methods used in other countries to synthesize and share practical evidence, then drafted and experimented CEKHP in 11 different settings to test its relevance and applicability. Results Key components of CEKHP are: 1/CEKHP consists in in-depth semi-structured interviews and offers a guideline template adjustable for various contexts and multiple public health issues (behaviors, environments, etc.); 2/a trained outsider, mastering 7 core competencies, must conduct CEKHP; 3/CEKHP includes a framework for reporting key mechanisms that influence HPI outcomes. Detailed mechanisms include: context, partnerships, key steps, barriers and levers, ethics, theoretical foundations (intervention models, evidence-based literature, etc.), transferability. A guidebook and a toolkit are published in 2020. CEKHP successfully disseminates within the French HP community. It is currently used as the main data collection tool in a research project investigating health promoting sports clubs (PROCeSS) and in a practice-focused project documenting tobacco prevention (DCAP). Lessons Practitioners benefit from access to knowledge on how HPI work. CEKHP offers new tools to value and disseminate experiential knowledge. Given that policymakers increasingly prioritize funding in France on documented HPI, providing such tools and training is crucial. Key messages CEKHP offers a new method in the French context that has proven fruitful in various settings, for various public health issues, and can be useful to practitioners and researchers alike. Building up experiential knowledge with and for practitioners can be effective at both documenting practices and helping them gain new skills and better understanding of their interventions.


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