Implementing selective-prevention primary care interventions targeting cardio-metabolic diseases in five European countries: the SPIM-EU project

Abstract Background Cardio-metabolic diseases are the most common cause of death worldwide. Implementing selective prevention strategies has proven a substantial challenge, especially in primary care. Objectives As part of a collaborative European study, this paper aims to assess the implementation of primary care selective prevention interventions in the Czech Republic, Denmark, Greece, the Netherlands and Sweden. We sought to determine participants’ cardio-metabolic risk profile, as well as their evaluation of the intervention in terms of feasibility and impact in promoting a healthy lifestyle. Methods A selective prevention intervention, including patient invitation and cardio-vascular risk assessment using country-adjusted tools, was implemented. Eligible participants were primary care patients, 40–65 years of age, without any diagnosis of cardio-metabolic disease. Main outcomes included intervention acceptance and completion rates. Patient demographics, lifestyle-related cardio-metabolic risk factors, and opinions on intervention feasibility were recorded. Findings are summarized descriptively. Results In each country, 200 patients were invited to participate in the study. Acceptance rates varied from 19.5% (n = 39/200) in Sweden to 100% in the Czech Republic (n = 200/200). Risk assessment completion rates ranged from 65.4% (n = 70/107) in Greece to 100% (n = 39/39) in Sweden. Twelve individuals (6.9%) were identified as being at high risk of cardio-vascular disease in the Czech Republic, five (8.6%) in Denmark, eight (11.4%) in Greece, 21 (36.8%) in the Netherlands and none (0%) in Sweden. On a ten-point scale, the median (25%-75% quartile) of participant-reported intervention feasibility ranged from 7.4 (6.9–7.8) in Greece to 9.2 (8.2–9.9) in Sweden. Willingness to change lifestyle exceeded 80% in all countries, with the desire for better health representing the main motivating factor for more than half of the participants. Conclusions Although substantial variations in patient cardio-metabolic risk profile and intervention receptiveness were observed, our findings add to existing evidence regarding the implementation of selective prevention programs in European primary care and can be used as part of future cardio-metabolic risk reduction strategies.

Download Full-text

Primary care and the early phases of schizophrenia in the Czech Republic

Epidemiologia e Psichiatria Sociale ◽

10.1017/s1121189x00001172 ◽

2010 ◽

Vol 19 (3) ◽

pp. 243-250

Author(s):

David Holub ◽

Barbora Wenigová ◽

Daniel Umbricht ◽

Andor E. Simon

Keyword(s):

Primary Care ◽

Czech Republic ◽

Warning Signs ◽

Outpatient Services ◽

The Czech Republic ◽

Mental Health Reforms ◽

Low Threshold ◽

The City ◽

Early Phases

SUMMARYAim– To explore knowledge, treatment setting, attitudes and needs associated with patients in early phases of psychosis among general practitioners (GPs) in Prague, andto compare results with GPs from 6 countries participating in theInternational GP Study(IGPS)on Early Psychosis(Canada, Australia, New Zealand, England, Norway,Austria).Methods– Survey questionnaires were mailed to 648 GPs in the city of Prague.Results– The response rate was 19.9%. Prague GPs showed significantly lower diagnostic knowledge of early phases of psychosis compared to their international colleagues. They frequently indicated depression/anxiety and somatic complaints as early warnings of psychosis. They more often considered their behaviour to be problematic and more commonly handed them over to specialists. The majority of Prague GPs wished specialized outpatient services for low-threshold referrals of such patients.Conclusions– Along the mental health reforms in the Czech Republic which emphasis the role of primary care, GPs' knowledge of the early warning signs of psychosis needs to be improved.Declaration of Interest:The study was supported by an unrestricted grant from Sanofi-Synthélabo SA, Switzerland, to the principal investigators of the IGPS (AES, DU). The authors have stated that there are none; all authors are independent from the funding body and the views expressed in this paper have not been influenced by the funding source.

Download Full-text

ISQUA16-1953GEODEMOGRAPHIC ASPECTS OF PRIMARY CARE ACCESS: THE CZECH REPUBLIC

International Journal for Quality in Health Care ◽

10.1093/intqhc/mzw104.101 ◽

2016 ◽

Vol 28 (suppl 1) ◽

pp. 64.1-64

Author(s):

H. Konecna ◽

L. Sidlo ◽

B. Burcin ◽

P. Stych

Keyword(s):

Primary Care ◽

Czech Republic ◽

The Czech Republic ◽

Primary Care Access ◽

Care Access

Download Full-text

An exploratory study investigating the perception that ICT capital projects are different

Management Research Review ◽

10.1108/mrr-09-2013-0218 ◽

2014 ◽

Vol 37 (10) ◽

pp. 912-927 ◽

Cited By ~ 2

Author(s):

Josef Hynek ◽

Václav Janeček ◽

Frank Lefley ◽

Kateřina Půžová ◽

Jan Němeček

Keyword(s):

Risk Assessment ◽

Czech Republic ◽

Academic Research ◽

Future Research ◽

Valuable Insight ◽

Capital Projects ◽

The Czech Republic ◽

Content Type ◽

Risk Assessment Models ◽

Significant Difference

Purpose – The purpose of this study/paper is evidence to suggest that information communication technology (ICT) capital projects are different from non-ICT projects and that as a result the appraisal of such projects is more difficult. This may suggest that organisations would use dissimilar financial and risk assessment models or place different importance levels on such models between the two types of investment. The purpose of this paper is to investigate this issue and present the results of research into the practices of organisations in Czech Republic that have recently undertaken an appraisal of both ICT and non-ICT capital projects. Design/methodology/approach – A factual and attitudinal survey was developed and conducted during the end of 2011, addressed to organisations based in the Czech Republic. The object of the survey was the identification of current practices in respect of the appraisal of both ICT and non-ICT projects and the opinions of senior executives on a number of important issues regarding such practices. This paper focuses on the issues relating to ICT projects being “different” from non-ICT projects. Findings – The empirical findings support the literature in that ICT projects are, in many respects, different from non-ICT projects. However, the evidence indicates that, in practice, there is no significant difference in the financial and risk assessment models used in their appraisal. This indicates that any perceived difficulties, which may infer that the projects are “different”, are overcome (or ignored), to some extent, when it comes to the formal financial and risk assessment stage of project appraisal. There is also evidence to suggest that practitioners use assessment models that academics regard as unsophisticated. The findings also show that strategic issues are more important with respect of ICT projects than non-ICT projects. The research therefore supports the view that ICT projects are perceived to be different, but that the current conventional (financial and risk) appraisal models are adequate to appraise such capital projects, provided they are supported by a strategic assessment. Research limitations/implications – As the findings are based on a survey of companies in the Czech Republic only, we accept that the research results may have some limitations in terms of drawing general conclusions. The concern over drawing general conclusions is also brought about by the relatively low response rate, although the rate is in line with previous published research. Practical implications – ICT projects are different and as such these differences must be taken into account when appraising capital projects. The evidence supports the need for practitioners to review their appraisal of ICT capital projects, by adopting more sophisticated financial and risk models (as prescribed by academics) and linking their appraisal to corporate strategic goals. Future research should be aimed at identifying the formal and informal strategic approaches adopted by practitioners in the appraisal of ICT capital projects. Originality/value – This is the only survey to simultaneously address the appraisal issues concerning both ICT and non-ICT projects in the Czech Republic. As such, it gives a valuable insight into the practices of Czech Republic organisations in their appraisal of ICT and non-ICT capital projects. The identification of the four main problem areas with respect to the appraisal of ICT projects will help to focus academic research in the future.

Download Full-text

Mass concentrations and lung cancer risk assessment of PAHs bound to PM1 aerosol in six industrial, urban and rural areas in the Czech Republic, Central Europe

Atmospheric Pollution Research ◽

10.1016/j.apr.2019.11.012 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 11 (2) ◽

pp. 401-408 ◽

Cited By ~ 3

Author(s):

Kamil Křůmal ◽

Pavel Mikuška

Keyword(s):

Lung Cancer ◽

Risk Assessment ◽

Czech Republic ◽

Cancer Risk ◽

Central Europe ◽

Rural Areas ◽

Lung Cancer Risk ◽

Cancer Risk Assessment ◽

The Czech Republic ◽

Urban And Rural Areas

Download Full-text

The challenging path to establish general practice in an academic environment – the case of the Czech Republic

HIGHER SCHOOL’S PULSE ◽

10.5604/01.3001.0011.6672 ◽

2018 ◽

Vol 12 (1) ◽

pp. 41-43

Author(s):

Bohumil Seifert

Keyword(s):

Primary Care ◽

General Practice ◽

Czech Republic ◽

Clinical Work ◽

Research Capacity ◽

The Czech Republic ◽

Research Perspective ◽

Self Confidence ◽

The Government ◽

Intellectual Discipline

The academic development of general practice (GP) within countries of Central and Eastern Europe began only after the political changes in the 1990s. From a research perspective GP has a reputation for being amongst the least intellectually rigorous clinical disciplines. This has several serious consequences; loss of self-confidence, lack of attractiveness as an intellectual discipline and less application of critical thinking in routine clinical work. The only solution is an effort to develop research in primary care, as this is the ultimate attribute of scientifically oriented disciplines such as medicine. GP research in the Czech Republic has a low level of awareness and support. Its development is slow and faces many barriers; lack of financial resources, lack of leading personalities within the field, lack of ideas, lack of scientific education, lack of experience, and insufficient research capacity. As GPs, we do not have enough skills to write and publish scientific papers. Research is also not recognised as an essential component of GP training. However, research in primary care is developing and here I present several successful research projects withinour department. Research has been proposed as a vital agenda towards the new concept of general practice, as recently presented to the government by the Society of GPs.

Download Full-text