Identifying priority medicines policy issues for Qatar: exploring perspectives and experiences of healthcare professionals through a qualitative study

ObjectivesTo identify priority medicines policy issues, including the ‘use’ and ‘access to medicines’ in Qatar.DesignIn this qualitative study, general inductive method was used and semi-structured exploratory interviews conducted.SettingStakeholders from a broad range of academic and healthcare practitioners in Qatar.ParticipantsExploratory, semi-structured interviews were conducted with 21 stakeholders throughout Qatar. The inclusion criteria include (a) participants working or involved in the Qatar’s healthcare system, (b) participants having experience or working knowledge of medicine policy documents, different facets of it, use of medicines and access to medicines, (c) as well as participants well versed in the English language. It was intended to cover stakeholders from a broad range of healthcare and policy institutions in Qatar.Primary and secondary outcome measuresAll participants were involved in semi-structured, audio-recorded interviews, which were then transcribed verbatim, coded into NVivo V.12 and followed by thematic analysis to identify the common themes. Perceptions, experiences and opinions regarding Qatar’s medicines policy issues were recorded.ResultsThis study found challenges related to the availability of pharmaceuticals in Qatar, including medicines registration process. There is no comprehensive national medicines policy in Qatar, however, there are a number of rules, regulations, policies and procedures in place. The community pharmacy services provided are mostly ‘traditional’ with less emphasis on pharmacists’ extended roles and/or cognitive services. The study identifies several areas for improvement including extending the role of the pharmacist, improve the prescribing of antibiotics, medicines compliance and counselling for consumers, pharmacovigilance, implementation of generic medicines policies, as well as the need for a national health record database.ConclusionsThe findings suggest that in the last 20 years, Qatar has moved towards advancing healthcare; however, there are gaps and opportunities. The strategies need to be developed to resolve access to medicines issues, the priority being medicines registration, import and so on. With the rise of chronic diseases and a growing population, there is also a need to work to improve medicines adherence among patients.A national medicines policy should be developed through a consultative broad-based process in which prescribers, physicians, pharmacists and healthcare professionals be given a chance to contribute.

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Protective and Risk Factors of Italian Healthcare Professionals during the COVID-19 Pandemic Outbreak: A Qualitative Study

International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health ◽

10.3390/ijerph18020453 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 18 (2) ◽

pp. 453

Author(s):

Amalia De Leo ◽

Eloisa Cianci ◽

Paolo Mastore ◽

Caterina Gozzoli

Keyword(s):

Risk Factors ◽

Qualitative Study ◽

Extrinsic Motivation ◽

Healthcare Professionals ◽

Well Being ◽

Organizational Level ◽

Emotional Impact ◽

Snowball Sampling ◽

Structured Interviews ◽

Interpersonal Level

The COVID-19 pandemic put the Italian health system under great stress. The sudden reorganization of work practices and the emotional impact of the large number of the victims had many consequences on the well-being of the healthcare professionals (HCPs) involved in managing the crisis. In the available literature, most studies have focused on the risk aspects while only few studies also take into account protective factors. For this reason, it was decided to conduct, within psycho-sociological perspective, a qualitative study with the aim to explore in depth the protective and risk factors as experienced by HCPs who worked in the Italian healthcare system during the COVID-19 outbreak. A total of 19 semi-structured interviews were conducted with HCPs–9 nurses and 10 physicians (7M and 12F) with an average age of 43 (SD = 13.4)–selected using snowball sampling. Considering three different levels of analysis the results highlight the protective and risk factors: personal history level (intrinsic/ethical motivation and flexible role versus extrinsic motivation and static role), interpersonal level (perception of supportive relationships with colleagues, patients, and family versus bad relationships), and organizational level (good leadership and sustainable work purpose versus absence of support from management and undefined or confused tasks).

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“How Long Can I Carry On?” The Need for Palliative Care in Parkinson’s Disease: A Qualitative Study from the Perspective of Bereaved Family Caregivers

Journal of Parkinson s Disease ◽

10.3233/jpd-191884 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 10 (4) ◽

pp. 1631-1642

Author(s):

Herma Lennaerts-Kats ◽

Anne Ebenau ◽

Maxime Steppe ◽

Jenny T. van der Steen ◽

Marjan J. Meinders ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Parkinson’S Disease ◽

Palliative Care ◽

Parkinson's Disease ◽

Qualitative Study ◽

Family Caregivers ◽

Interpretative Phenomenological Analysis ◽

Healthcare Professionals ◽

Structured Interviews ◽

Practice Nurses ◽

Bereaved Family

Background: Family caregivers provide the majority of care for people with Parkinson’s disease (PD) in the palliative care phase. For many this is a demanding experience, affecting their quality of life. Objective: We set out to map the experiences of bereaved family caregivers during the period of informal care in the palliative care phase as well as after the death of their loved one with PD. Methods: Ten bereaved family caregivers participated in this qualitative study. Semi-structured interviews were conducted and interpretative phenomenological analysis was used executed. Results: We identified four main themes. 1) Feeling like a professional caregiver: while caring for a person with PD, the family caregivers took over many roles and tasks of the person with PD. 2) Healthcare professionals do not always know what PD really means: most interviewees had negative experiences with knowledge and understanding of PD of, especially, (practice) nurses. 3) Being on your own: many respondents had felt highly responsible for their loved one’s care and lacked time and space for themselves. Grief and feelings of guilt were present during the caregiving period and after death. 4) Being behind the times: to provide palliative care in line with patients’ preferences and to feel prepared for the palliative care phase of PD, proactive palliative care planning was considered important. However, the interviewees told that this was most often not provided. Conclusion: These findings indicate that caring for a person with PD in the palliative care phase is a demanding experience for family caregivers. They experience psychological problems for many years before and after the death of the person with PD. Increasing healthcare professionals’ awareness of family and bereaved caregivers’ needs may mitigate these long-term detrimental effects.

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Processes and determinants of integration of eGFR in physicians’ drug prescriptions: a qualitative study of semi-structured interviews

Primary Health Care Research & Development ◽

10.1017/s1463423619000847 ◽

2019 ◽

Vol 20 ◽

Author(s):

Louis Lefèvre ◽

Maud Jourdain ◽

Jean-Pascal Fournier

Keyword(s):

Qualitative Study ◽

Adverse Drug Reactions ◽

Healthcare Professionals ◽

Drug Prescriptions ◽

Theory Approach ◽

Snowball Sampling ◽

Drug Reactions ◽

Structured Interviews ◽

Training Professional ◽

Grounded Theory Approach

Abstract Aim: Our objective was to explore the processes and determinants leading physicians to integrate estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) in their drug prescriptions Background: Access to patients’ eGFR would allow primary care pharmacists to optimise their role in the procedure of safe prescribing. Some rare physicians actively integrate eGFR in their prescriptions, in a sporadically and uncoordinated manner. Methods: Qualitative study using semi-directed interviews conducted among 12 French physicians who integrated eGFR in their drug prescriptions, (February 2016–April 2017). These voluntary participants were recruited through different means: Twitter®, forums, direct contact and snowball sampling. Data analysis was based on the grounded theory approach, underpinned by a comprehensive perspective of interactionist orientation. Findings: Residency and training, professional experience – including experiences of adverse drug reactions – and the membership in various communities of professionals were key drivers for the integration of eGFR in prescriptions. The theoretical aim was above all safe prescribing in order to reduce adverse drug reactions, with the control by a dispensing pharmacist and/or other healthcare professionals. Nevertheless, none of the physicians had received any feedback from any healthcare professionals. Despite their disappointment, the physicians remained convinced of the interest of integrating eGFR in their prescriptions and would continue to do so. Characteristics associated with integration of eGFR in drug prescriptions belong partly to Roger’s theory of innovations. If a widespread diffusion of this habit takes place, it will be necessary to evaluate its adoption by both physicians and pharmacists.

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Menopause-related health literacy: a qualitative study of experiences and perceptions of menopause-related health care among Vietnamese-born women in Melbourne, Australia

10.21203/rs.2.11881/v1 ◽

2019 ◽

Author(s):

Karin Stanzel ◽

Karin Hammarberg ◽

Trang T Nguyen ◽

Jane Fisher

Keyword(s):

Health Care ◽

Health Literacy ◽

Qualitative Study ◽

Health Information ◽

Language Proficiency ◽

English Language ◽

Later Life ◽

Structured Interviews ◽

Natural Event ◽

Optimal Health

Abstract Background Health literacy refers to an individual’s capacity to access, understand, evaluate and use health information to make well informed health-related decision to maintain and promote optimal health. Low health literacy is linked with worse health outcomes and is more common in people from socio-economically disadvantaged backgrounds and from non-English speaking backgrounds and among people with limited education. Peri-menopausal and postmenopausal health behaviour predicts health in later life. This qualitative study was conducted in Melbourne, Australia. The aim of this study was to explored menopause-related health literacy and experiences with menopause-related health care among Vietnamese-born women who had immigrated to Australia as adults. Methods A qualitative study using semi-structured interviews was conducted with women aged between 45 – 60 years and peri or postmenopausal. Transcripts were analyised thematically. Results A total of 12 women were interviewed. Participants viewed menopause as a natural event and obtained most of their menopause-related information from family and friends. Limited English language proficiency affected their capacity to access, understand, evaluate and use menopause-related health information. They identified their Vietnamese speaking General Practitioners (GPs) as a reliable source of health information, but ‘shyness’ prevented them from asking questions about menopause and they suggested that GPs need to initiate menopause-related health conversations. Conclusion Low menopause-related health literacy among immigrant Vietnamese-born women may limit their opportunities to access information about and benefit from menopause-related health promoting behaviours. Access to menopause-related health information in relevant community languages is essential to support immigrant women to make well informed menopause-related health decisions.

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Indonesian antenatal nutrition education: A qualitative study of healthcare professional views

Women s Health ◽

10.1177/17455065211066077 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 17 ◽

pp. 174550652110660

Author(s):

Widya Rahmawati ◽

Paige van der Pligt ◽

Anthony Worsley ◽

Jane C Willcox

Keyword(s):

Qualitative Study ◽

Pregnant Women ◽

Nutrition Education ◽

Targeted Delivery ◽

Healthcare Professionals ◽

Structured Interviews ◽

Educational Models ◽

Care Services ◽

Primary Health Centres ◽

Education Delivery

Background: Early lifestyle intervention, including antenatal nutrition education, is required to reduce the triple burden of malnutrition. Understanding healthcare professionals’ views and experiences is essential for improving future nutrition education programmes for Indonesian pregnant women. This study aimed to investigate the views of Indonesian antenatal healthcare professionals regarding nutrition education for pregnant women and the improvements required to provide more effective antenatal nutrition education. Methods: A descriptive qualitative study involved semi-structured interviews was conducted with 24 healthcare professionals, including nutritionists ( n = 10), midwives ( n = 9) and obstetricians ( n = 5) in Malang, Indonesia, between December 2018 and January 2019. Data were analysed using thematic analysis. Results: The study identified four main themes. First, healthcare professionals were aware of the importance of providing antenatal nutrition education, which included supporting its targeted delivery. Second, there were differing views on who should provide nutrition education. Most midwives and obstetricians viewed nutritionists as the prime nutrition education provider. Nutritionists were confident in their capability to provide nutrition education. However, some nutritionists reported that only a few women visited primary health centres and received nutrition counselling via this pathway. Third, healthcare professionals revealed some barriers in providing education for women. These barriers included a limited number of nutritionists, lack of consistent guidelines, lack of healthcare professionals’ nutrition knowledge and lack of time during antenatal care services. Fourth, participants expressed the need to strengthen some system elements, including reinforcing collaboration, developing guidelines, and enhancing capacity building to improve future antenatal nutrition education. Conclusions: Healthcare professionals play a central role in the provision of antenatal nutrition education. This study highlighted the importance of educational models that incorporate various antenatal nutrition education delivery strategies. These methods include maximizing referral systems and optimizing education through multiple delivery methods, from digital modes to traditional face-to-face nutrition education in pregnancy classes and community-based health services.

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How EFL Learners Maintain Motivational Factors and Positive Attitudes during COVID-19 Pandemic: A Qualitative Study

ENGLISH FRANCA Academic Journal of English Language and Education ◽

10.29240/ef.v5i2.3398 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 5 (2) ◽

pp. 277

Author(s):

Reza Anggriyashati Adara ◽

Novita Puspahaty

Keyword(s):

Social Media ◽

Qualitative Study ◽

Language Learning ◽

Extrinsic Motivation ◽

English Language ◽

Personal Communication ◽

Structured Interviews ◽

Extrinsic Factors ◽

Efl Learners ◽

Positive Attitudes

The present study aims to analyze how a group of EFL learners in Indonesia maintained their motivation and positive attitudes toward English learning during the Covid-19 pandemic. The present study applied a qualitative study by conducting semi-structured interviews with ten respondents. The results suggest that the Covid-19 pandemic has affected the respondents significantly. At the beginning of the Covid-19 pandemic, most respondents were demotivated but they were able to motivate themselves again by reminding themselves of the reasons they learned English in the first place. Those reasons are mostly dominated by extrinsic factors such as their need to get jobs, studying overseas and the benefits of mastering English for their future also motivated the respondents. However, some are still motivated to learn English because they are intrinsically motivated. The results suggest that both intrinsic and extrinsic motivation are needed to maintain learners' motivation and positive attitudes toward language learning. In addition, maintaining personal communication with students during tough times such as the Covid-19 pandemic seems important to be conducted by teachers. By keeping personal communication, teachers can help maintain students' motivation. Besides that, the findings of the present study indicate that the respondents used various methods to maintain their motivation such as using social media to learn English and constantly reminding themselves of their language learning goals. In regards to this, teachers should help students by integrating social media into the lessons and providing affirmations that remind students of the benefits of English language mastery.

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Consumer perspectives of accelerated access to medicines: a qualitative study

Journal of Health Organization and Management ◽

10.1108/jhom-08-2020-0344 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol ahead-of-print (ahead-of-print) ◽

Author(s):

Jessica Pace ◽

Narcyz Ghinea ◽

Sallie-Anne Pearson ◽

Ian Kerridge ◽

Wendy Lipworth

Keyword(s):

Qualitative Study ◽

Focus Groups ◽

Scientific Evidence ◽

Access To Medicines ◽

Structured Interviews ◽

Content Type ◽

Medical Needs ◽

Stakeholder Perspectives ◽

Consumer Perspectives ◽

Data Surveillance

PurposeIn this study, the authors aimed to explore consumer perspectives on accelerated access to medicines. The authors were particularly interested in how they balance competing considerations of safety, efficacy, equity and access; whether and how their views change when there are different levels of uncertainty surrounding the safety and efficacy of new medicines; and the procedures that they think should be used to make decisions about accelerated access to new medicines.Design/methodology/approachThis was an exploratory qualitative study. Thirteen semi-structured interviews with patient advocates and two focus groups with patients were conducted and analysed thematically. Interviews and focus groups were audio recorded and transcribed verbatim. Data were analysed through inductive thematic analysis.FindingsParticipants outlined a range of justifications for accelerated access, including addressing unmet medical needs and encouraging further research and development. However, they were also cognisant of the potential risks and viewed ongoing data collection, disinvestment and market withdrawal as ways to address these. They also emphasised the importance of transparent decisions being made by people with relevant expertise, based on a thorough consideration of scientific evidence and stakeholder perspectives.Originality/valueThis is the first study to comprehensively explore Australian consumers' views of accelerated access to medicines. The results suggest that consumers want timely access to new medicines, but not at the expense of safety, efficacy, equity and sustainability. While accelerated access programs are likely to be welcomed by consumers, they must be fully informed of their conditions and limitations, and robust post-market data surveillance must be implemented and enforced to protect the interests of both individual patients and the broader community.

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Physical activity behaviors and attitudes among women with an eating disorder: a qualitative study

Journal of Eating Disorders ◽

10.1186/s40337-021-00377-w ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 9 (1) ◽

Author(s):

Jennifer Brunet ◽

Francis Del Duchetto ◽

Amanda Wurz

Keyword(s):

Physical Activity ◽

Eating Disorder ◽

Depressive Symptoms ◽

General Population ◽

Qualitative Study ◽

Psychiatric Disorders ◽

Healthcare Professionals ◽

Treatment Protocol ◽

Caloric Expenditure ◽

Structured Interviews

Abstract Background Physical activity (PA) is an integral part of healthcare for the general population and individuals with psychiatric disorders. However, PA is significantly more complex for and related to both healthy (e.g., reduced anxiety and depressive symptoms) and unhealthy outcomes (e.g., intrusive, repetitive thoughts that lead to abnormally high levels of PA) among women with an eating disorder (ED). Consequently, many healthcare professionals recommend abstinence from PA during ED treatment. Despite this, women may remain engaged in PA during ED treatment or resume PA shortly thereafter. Little has been done to understand women’s PA behaviors and attitudes and to explore how they integrate PA into their lives during and after ED treatment. Thus, this study sought to explore PA behaviors and attitudes among women with an ED. Methods Nine women who self-reported receiving an ED diagnosis participated in semi-structured interviews, which were transcribed and analysed thematically. Results Six interrelated themes were constructed to represent participants’ PA experiences: PA as a lifestyle, PA can be beneficial, How I feel when I can’t do PA, Being cautious about PA, Reactions to healthcare professionals’ practice of recommending abstinence from PA during ED treatment, and PA programming thoughts. Conclusions Overcoming dysfunctional PA behaviors (e.g., engaging in abnormally high levels of PA) and attitudes (e.g., associating PA with caloric expenditure) can be a long and complicated journey for women with an ED. Nevertheless, women with an ED want PA to be integrated into their ED treatment protocol for two key reasons, namely to accrue the benefits associated with PA and to learn how to engage in PA in adaptive and healthy ways.

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Healthcare professionals’ perspectives on identifying and managing perinatal anxiety: a qualitative study

British Journal of General Practice ◽

10.3399/bjgp19x706025 ◽

2019 ◽

Vol 69 (688) ◽

pp. e768-e776 ◽

Cited By ~ 2

Author(s):

Victoria Silverwood ◽

Annabel Nash ◽

Carolyn A Chew-Graham ◽

Jacqualyn Walsh-House ◽

Athula Sumathipala ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Mental Health ◽

Qualitative Study ◽

Public Involvement ◽

Healthcare Professionals ◽

Mental Health Problems ◽

Patient And Public Involvement ◽

Perinatal Mental Health ◽

Data Generation ◽

Structured Interviews ◽

Perinatal Anxiety

BackgroundPerinatal mental health problems are those that occur during pregnancy or up to 12 months postpartum, and affect up to 20% of women. Perinatal anxiety (PNA) is at least as common as depression during the perinatal phase and can adversely impact on both mother and child. Despite this, research into anxiety has received less attention than depression. The National Institute for Health and Care Excellence guidance on perinatal mental health has identified PNA as a research priority.AimTo explore the perspectives and experiences of healthcare professionals (HCPs) in the identification and management of PNA.Design and settingThis was a qualitative study in primary and secondary care set in the West Midlands from February 2017 to December 2017.MethodSemi-structured interviews (n = 23) with a range of HCPs. Iterative approach to data generation and analysis, using principles of constant comparison. Patient and Public Involvement and Engagement (PPIE) group was involved throughout the study.ResultsTwenty-three HCPs interviewed: 10 GPs, seven midwives, five health visitors, and one obstetrician. Four themes were uncovered: PNA as an ‘unfamiliar concept’; reliance on clinical intuition and not clinical tools; fragmentation of care; and opportunities to improve care.ConclusionAwareness and understanding of PNA among HCPs is variable, with debate over what is ‘normal’ anxiety in pregnancy. HCPs suggested that PNA can be challenging to identify, with mixed views on the use and value of case-finding tools. Opportunistic identification was noted to be significant to aid diagnosis. Care for women diagnosed with PNA was reported to be fragmented and interprofessional communication poor. Potential solutions to improve care were identified.

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‘Everybody in Nigeria is a doctor…’: a qualitative study of stakeholder perspectives on lay diagnosis of malaria and pneumonia in Nigeria

Journal of Public Health ◽

10.1093/pubmed/fdaa015 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 42 (2) ◽

pp. 353-361 ◽

Cited By ~ 1

Author(s):

Kelly O Elimian ◽

Puja R Myles ◽

Revati Phalkey ◽

Ayebo Sadoh ◽

Catherine Pritchard

Keyword(s):

Qualitative Study ◽

Healthcare Professionals ◽

Early Recognition ◽

Integrated Management ◽

Structured Interviews ◽

Health Seeking ◽

Home Management ◽

Benin City ◽

Stakeholder Perspectives ◽

Childhood Malaria

Abstract Background Lay diagnosis is a widely used diagnostic approach for home management of common illnesses in Nigeria. This study aimed to explore the perspectives of caregivers and healthcare professionals on lay diagnosis of childhood malaria and pneumonia. Aligned to this, the study sought to explore the feasibility of training caregivers in the Integrated Management of Childhood Illness (IMCI) guidelines for improved recognition and treatment of these diseases. Methods A qualitative study using individual face-to-face semi-structured interviews was conducted in Benin City, Nigeria. Participants included 13 caregivers with children under 5 years and 17 healthcare professionals (HPs). An inductive approach to thematic analysis was used to generate themes and analyses. Results Caregivers relied on lay diagnosis but recognised its limitations. The perceived severity of malaria and pneumonia significantly influenced caregivers’ preference for reliance on lay diagnosis practices, health-seeking behaviour and willingness to undertake training in IMCI guidelines for home management of diseases. Safety and potential unintended misuse of medications were recognised by caregivers and HPs as the main challenges. Conclusions The high level of acceptance among caregivers to receive IMCI training could help improve effective management of childhood malaria and pneumonia at the community level through early recognition and prompt treatment.

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