scholarly journals Health professionals’ perceptions of weight loss programmes and recommendations for future implementation: a qualitative study

BMJ Open ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 10 (11) ◽  
pp. e039667
Author(s):  
Christina Jessen-Winge ◽  
Pia Marie Ilvig ◽  
Trine Thilsing ◽  
Kim Lee ◽  
Heather Fritz ◽  
...  

ObjectiveObesity is an increasing public health challenge and most weight loss programmes are still inadequate to support sustainable weight loss. One reason for the continued lack of success might be the dominant biomedical, individualised approach to weight loss. Holistic approaches that focus on overall health and well-being in addition to weight loss are increasingly recommended. In Denmark, health professionals in the municipalities are responsible for developing and conducting weight loss programmes. The objective of this study was to explore what health professional’s perceived as an ideal, holistic weight loss programme that could be feasibly implemented in the municipalities.DesignA phenomenological-hermeneutical qualitative study was performed using semistructured interviews.SettingThirty-two Danish municipalities were weight loss programmes are developed and conducted.ParticipantsThirty-five health professionals with experience conducting weight loss programmes.ResultsThree themes emerged from the analysis: Support from the social network are important both during and after a weight loss, Changing the self-belief by positive discussions and doing activities, Maintaining changes through daily life.ConclusionFuture municipal weight loss programmes should emphasise overall health and well-being instead of weight loss and adopt a holistic approach including a focus on social relationships, meaningful activities and successes as part of a balanced daily life.

BMJ Open ◽  
2019 ◽  
Vol 9 (2) ◽  
pp. e025680 ◽  
Author(s):  
Sarah E Jackson ◽  
Linn Holter ◽  
Rebecca J Beeken

ObjectivesThe aim of this study was to explore older adults’ beliefs about the appropriateness of weight management, and how their experiences and expectations of weight management have changed as they have got older.DesignQualitative semistructured interview study.SettingUK.ParticipantsOlder adults (≥65 years) in the UK who had recent (<5 years) experience of trying to manage their weight (n=15; 12 women; 73% white British).ResultsData were analysed using thematic analysis. Emergent themes highlighted that weight remained a concern for many older adults, although having a high body weight was seen to be more acceptable at older than younger ages. Excess weight was reported to have negative consequences for health and well-being which participants felt could be alleviated by losing weight. Participants were motivated to lose weight for appearance and health reasons, but mentioned finding it harder to lose weight as they had got older and generally felt they had received limited guidance on weight management from health professionals.ConclusionsThe views of our participants highlight the need for further research into safe and effective methods of weight loss for older people and indicate that advice and support from health professionals would be welcomed.


Author(s):  
Erin Smith ◽  
Greg Dean ◽  
Lisa Holmes

Abstract Introduction: First responders are at greater risk of mental ill health and compromised well-being compared to the general population. It is important to identify strategies that will be effective in supporting mental health, both during and after the first responder’s career. Methods: A scoping review was conducted using the PubMed database (1966 to October 1, 2020) and the Google Scholar database (October 1, 2020) using relevant search terms, truncation symbols, and Boolean combination functions. The reference lists of all relevant publications were also reviewed to identify further publications. Results: A total of 172 publications were retrieved by the combined search strategies. Of these, 56 met the inclusion criteria and informed the results of this overview paper. These publications identified that strategies supporting first responder mental health and well-being need to break down stigma and build resilience. Normalizing conversations around mental health is integral for increasing help-seeking behaviors, both during a first responder’s career and in retirement. Organizations should consider the implementation of both pre-retirement and post-retirement support strategies to improve mental health and well-being. Conclusion: Strategies for supporting mental health and well-being need to be implemented early in the first responder career and reinforced throughout and into retirement. They should utilize holistic approaches which encourage “reaching in” rather than placing an onus on first responders to “reach out” when they are in crisis.


2020 ◽  
Vol 39 (2) ◽  
pp. 177-206 ◽  
Author(s):  
Katrine Syppli Kohl

Abstract This qualitative study combined the approaches of Foucault and Goffman to investigate the consequences of a “roll-out” neoliberal “activation” programme on Denmark’s reception of asylum-seekers. The analysis found that the activation programme is an ambiguous technology of power intended to shape asylum-seekers into productive citizens by simultaneously disciplining them and improving their health and well-being, while using their labour to reduce costs. The strategic interactions in the job centre reflected the ambiguities created by these oft-incongruent aims, and activation caused conflicts as it amplified activities experienced as meaningless and humiliating. I argue that these consequences stem from the ambiguity, uncertainty, and trouble produced at the intersection of competing projects of rule in a “sensitive space”, and that the individualisation of responsibility for their own marginalisation, simultaneously serve to exclude asylum-seekers and to confine them to categories that license continued institutional discipline. Thereby, the intervention feeds cyclical process of failed integration and ill-fated interventions. Indeed, by individualising the responsibility for integration, such interventions depoliticise the marginalisation of citizens of immigrant decent and legitimise efforts to reduce immigration by fuelling problematisations of immigrants as expensive, deviant, and less employable.


BMJ Open ◽  
2015 ◽  
Vol 5 (8) ◽  
pp. e007938 ◽  
Author(s):  
Rachael Hinton ◽  
David J Kavanagh ◽  
Lesley Barclay ◽  
Richard Chenhall ◽  
Tricia Nagel

2019 ◽  
Author(s):  
Sandrine Mathias ◽  
Patrick Daigle ◽  
Kelsey Needham Dancause ◽  
Tegwen Gadais

Background: Education and health professionals from a range of disciplines seek alternatives to promote well-being through nature. Shinrin Yoku, originating from Japan, means “forest baths” or “taking in the forest atmosphere” and provides the opportunity to reconnect with nature and its benefits, with great potential in Canada. This brief review aims to highlight the potential for the use of Shinrin Yoku in the Canadian context of education and healthcare. Methods: We conducted a narrative literature review including a search of four French and English databases (Google Scholar, Pubmed, Scopus, Cairn) from 1985 to 2017. Then, we classified 26 articles according to three main categories that emerged from the first reading of the abstracts. Results: Benefits of Shinrin Yoku have been classified into physiological, psychological, and environmental categories. We synthesize key benefits of Shinrin Yoku and highlight opportunities to use this alternative intervention by educators and health professionals in Canada. Conclusion: A growing body of research suggests that Shinrin Yoku can have benefits on many aspects of an individual's health and well-being. Given the resources already available in Canada, Shinrin Yoku could be integrated into existing programs and interventions, and could provide another option to educators and healthcare professionals seeking low-risk educational and intervention alternatives for their students and patients.


2021 ◽  
Vol 101 (6) ◽  
pp. 652-674
Author(s):  
Liat Tayer ◽  
Tomer Einat ◽  
Anat Yaron Antar

This qualitative study analyzes the effects of solitary confinement on prisoners and the strategies used by them to cope with its difficulties. The findings indicate that solitary confinement is perceived as unfair and as intensifying hostile emotions and physical aggression, and that it is related to a range of long-term physiological, mental, and behavioral disorders. Three strategies are used to cope with the difficulties of solitary confinement: keeping to a ritualistic routine, a religious lifestyle, and physical exercise. We conclude that solitary confinement exacerbates the difficulties of detention and affects prisoners’ health and well-being for short and long terms.


2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jane Li ◽  
David Silvera-Tawil ◽  
Marlien Varnfield ◽  
M Sazzad Hussain ◽  
Vanitha Math

BACKGROUND Mobile Health (mHealth) technologies, such as wearable devices and mobile applications have become popular for lifestyle and healthcare support. They have the potential to be beneficial for pregnancy monitoring, in the form of health and well-being tools to facilitate the tracking of health status changes, risks and complications of pregnant women. However, research on understanding clinicians’ and pregnant women’s interests, preferences and requirements for mHealth solutions tailored to pregnancy care is limited. OBJECTIVE This qualitative study aimed to understand clinicians’ and pregnant women’s perceptions on the potential use of mHealth to support the monitoring of health and well-being during pregnancy. METHODS Semi-structured interviews were conducted with four pregnant women, four postnatal women, and thirteen clinicians working in perinatal care. RESULTS Clinicians perceived the potential benefit of mHealth in supporting different levels of health and wellbeing monitoring, risk assessment and care provision in pregnancy care. The majority of women participants were open to the use of wearables and health monitoring devices and were more likely to use these technologies if they knew that clinicians can monitor the data. While some pregnancy-related medical conditions can be suitable for an mHealth model of remote monitoring, there are clinical and technical challenges for introducing mHealth in pregnancy care. Incorporating appropriate health and well-being measures, intelligent detection of abnormalities and tailored information for pregnant women were considered critical. Usability and data privacy were among the concerns of participants. The challenges of getting pregnant women engaged in longitudinal mHealth monitoring, the extra work required for clinicians in monitoring data, and the need for an evidence-based technical solution were highlighted. CONCLUSIONS mHealth technologies, such as wearable sensors, smart health devices and mobile applications capable of supporting the pregnancy journey are emerging. Clinical, technical and practical factors associated with the use of mHealth technologies to monitor health and well-being, as well as strategies for motivating pregnant women and clinicians’ in the use of the technologies need to be carefully considered before the introduction of mHealth pregnancy care routine and practices.


2018 ◽  
Vol 71 (6) ◽  
pp. 2891-2898
Author(s):  
Samara Macedo Cordeiro ◽  
Maria Cristina Pinto de Jesus ◽  
Renata Evangelista Tavares ◽  
Deise Moura de Oliveira ◽  
Miriam Aparecida Barbosa Merighi

ABSTRACT Objective: To understand the experience of adults living with cystic fibrosis. Method: A qualitative study based on the social phenomenology by Alfred Schütz, carried out with 12 adults interviewed in 2016. The statements were analyzed and organized into concrete categories. Results: The following categories were evidenced: “The biopsychosocial impact of the disease on daily life”, “Social prejudice as a generator of embarrassment”, “Coping strategies” and “Fear, uncertainties and the desire to carry out life projects”. Final considerations: The understanding of the experience lived by adults with cystic fibrosis allowed unveiling intersubjective aspects experienced by this public that should be considered by health professionals in the care of this group. It is up to the professionals involved in assisting these people to develop care strategies aimed at completeness, respect for the world of meanings of each individual, their life history, and intersubjectivity that is specially built in the relationship between professionals and people with cystic fibrosis.


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