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A special issue of International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health (ISSN 1660-4601). This special issue belongs to the section "Health Care Sciences & Services".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: closed (30 September 2023) | Viewed by 15741

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Special Issue Editors

Dr. Simão Alves Pinho

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Guest Editor

Department of Biomedicine, Faculty of Medicine, University of Porto, Alameda Hernâni Monteiro, 4200-319 Porto, Portugal
Interests: medication adherence; intervention studies; behaviour change; preventive medicine; education

Dr. Rute Sofia Monteiro Sampaio

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Guest Editor

1. Department of Biomedicine, Faculty of Medicine, University of Porto, 4200-319 Porto, Portugal
2. RISE – Health Research Network and CINTESIS - Center for Health Technology and Services Research, Faculty of Medicine, University of Porto, 4200-319 Porto, Portugal
Interests: medication adherence; chronic pain; sleep medicine; education; health psychology

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

In the last few decades, the global burden of chronic diseases has greatly increased, as societies have developed and population healthcare has improved, in line with epidemiological transitions. Consequently, the importance of preventive healthcare has never been greater, and tackling the dynamic processes that underlie the pathogenesis of chronic illnesses requires the development of effective, evidence-based strategies.

In this context, Educational and Behaviour Change Interventions have been at the forefront of disease prevention. However, research in this area is often misguided. Indeed, a significant portion of these interventions are not based on a well-defined rationale; their design is not clearly described or built on a psychological, behavioural or educational theoretical framework. As such, they frequently equate to the mere act of providing information and, are thus, not a true educational or behaviour changing effort. Naturally, this is harmful to the development of well-designed and effective interventions, and their lack of reliable implementation is disheartening.

As such, this Special Issue of International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health (IJERPH) aims to promote new insights into evidence-based behaviour change interventions, thereby helping to define and prioritize high-quality educational research. We invite you to submit papers addressing this theme. There are no limitations regarding manuscript types. Some examples of manuscripts that we will accept are:

Reviews of evidence-based behaviour change or educational interventions.

These may be focused on any area of medicine, pharmacy, nursing, or other healthcare-related subjects.
Reviews may include interventions that are not based on theoretical frameworks and compare them with others that are.

New research on the implementation of one or more evidence-based behaviour change or educational interventions in healthcare.

Protocols will be considered as well.

Series of Case Reports describing outcomes of a behaviour change intervention.
Conference Papers focusing on proceedings relevant to the theme.
Commentaries and Letters to the Editor will be considered too.
Other manuscript types that have not been mentioned may be considered, as long as they are relevant to the topic.

We look forward to receiving your submissions and furthering scientific research pertaining to evidence-based behaviour change.

Dr. Simão Alves Pinho
Dr. Rute Sofia Monteiro Sampaio
Guest Editors

Manuscript Submission Information

Manuscripts should be submitted online at www.mdpi.com by registering and logging in to this website. Once you are registered, click here to go to the submission form. Manuscripts can be submitted until the deadline. All submissions that pass pre-check are peer-reviewed. Accepted papers will be published continuously in the journal (as soon as accepted) and will be listed together on the special issue website. Research articles, review articles as well as short communications are invited. For planned papers, a title and short abstract (about 100 words) can be sent to the Editorial Office for announcement on this website.

Submitted manuscripts should not have been published previously, nor be under consideration for publication elsewhere (except conference proceedings papers). All manuscripts are thoroughly refereed through a single-blind peer-review process. A guide for authors and other relevant information for submission of manuscripts is available on the Instructions for Authors page. International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health is an international peer-reviewed open access monthly journal published by MDPI.

Please visit the Instructions for Authors page before submitting a manuscript. The Article Processing Charge (APC) for publication in this open access journal is 2500 CHF (Swiss Francs). Submitted papers should be well formatted and use good English. Authors may use MDPI's English editing service prior to publication or during author revisions.

Keywords

behaviour change
education
healthcare
prevention
intervention studies

Published Papers (7 papers)

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Editorial

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2 pages, 272 KiB

Open AccessEditorial

Behaviour Change Interventions in Healthcare

by Simão Pinho and Rute Sampaio

Int. J. Environ. Res. Public Health 2022, 19(12), 7055; https://0-doi-org.brum.beds.ac.uk/10.3390/ijerph19127055 - 09 Jun 2022

Cited by 3 | Viewed by 1164

Abstract

In September 2021, the Special Issue “Evidence-based Behaviour Change Interventions in Healthcare” was proposed as the manifestation of a will to compile multidisciplinary works of academic research focused on the effect of health education, psychology, and socio-cultural dimensions on the improvement in health [...] Read more.

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Evidence-Based Behaviour Change Interventions in Healthcare)

Research

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13 pages, 327 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Digitalisation Medical Records: Improving Efficiency and Reducing Burnout in Healthcare

by Nur Adibah Shaharul, Mohd ‘Ammar Ihsan Ahmad Zamzuri, Ahmad Azuhairi Ariffin, Ahmad Zaid Fattah Azman and Noor Khalili Mohd Ali

Int. J. Environ. Res. Public Health 2023, 20(4), 3441; https://0-doi-org.brum.beds.ac.uk/10.3390/ijerph20043441 - 15 Feb 2023

Cited by 1 | Viewed by 1978

Abstract

(1) Background: electronic medical record (EMR) systems remain a significant priority for the improvement of healthcare services. However, their implementation may have resulted in a burden on healthcare workers (HCWs). This study aimed to determine the prevalence of burnout symptoms among HCWs who use EMRs at their workplace, as well as burnout-associated factors. (2) Methods: an analytical cross-sectional study was conducted at six public health clinics equipped with an electronic medical record system. The respondents were from a heterogeneity of job descriptions. Consent was obtained before enrolment into the study. A questionnaire was distributed through an online platform. Ethical approval was secured. (3) Results: a total of 161 respondents were included in the final analysis, accounting for a 90.0% response rate. The prevalence of burnout symptoms was 10.7% (n = 17). Three significant predictors were obtained in the final model: experiencing ineffective screen layouts and navigation systems, experiencing physical or verbal abuse by patients, and having a poor relationship with colleagues. (4) Conclusions: the prevalence of burnout symptoms among healthcare workers working with electronic medical record systems was low. Despite several limitations and barriers to implementation, a paradigm shift is needed to equip all health sectors with electronic medical record systems to improve healthcare service delivery. Continuous technical support and financial resources are important to ensure a smooth transition and integration. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Evidence-Based Behaviour Change Interventions in Healthcare)

12 pages, 330 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Physical Healthcare for People with a Severe Mental Illness in Belgium by Long-Term Community Mental Health Outreach Teams: A Qualitative Descriptive Study on Physicians’, Community Mental Health Workers’ and Patients’ Perspectives

by Nicolaas Martens, Eline De Haeck, Evelyn Van De Vondel, Marianne Destoop, Kirsten Catthoor, Geert Dom and Kris Van Den Broeck

Int. J. Environ. Res. Public Health 2023, 20(1), 811; https://0-doi-org.brum.beds.ac.uk/10.3390/ijerph20010811 - 01 Jan 2023

Cited by 1 | Viewed by 1900

Abstract

Background: People with a severe mental illness (pSMI) often have comorbid physical health problems, resulting in a lower life expectancy compared to the global population. In Belgium, it remains unclear how to approach health disparities in pSMI in a community setting. This study explores the perspectives of both care professionals and patients on physical healthcare in Belgian community mental services, aiming to identify good practices, barriers and points of improvement. Methods: An exploratory qualitative design that used a semi-structured focus group interview with physicians combined with individual face-to-face interviews with physicians, mental health professionals and patients. Results: We identified care professional-, patient-related and organizational factors, as well as points of improvement. The identified themes linked to care professionals were communication, task distribution, knowledge, time and stigmatization. The co-location of services was the main theme on an organizational level. Conclusions: As community-based mental health services in Belgium emerged in the past decade, addressing physical health in pSMI is still challenging. Our findings suggest that there is a need for improvement in the current healthcare provision. Multidisciplinary guidelines, shared patient records, enlarging nurses’ tasks, providing financial incentives and a structural integration of primary and psychiatric care were perceived as major points of improvement to the current Belgian healthcare organization. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Evidence-Based Behaviour Change Interventions in Healthcare)

15 pages, 591 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Care Recommendations for the Chronic Risk of COVID-19: Nursing Intervention for Behaviour Changes

by Alexandra González Aguña, Marta Fernández Batalla, Blanca Gonzalo de Diego, María Lourdes Jiménez Rodríguez, María Lourdes Martínez Muñoz and José María Santamaría García

Int. J. Environ. Res. Public Health 2022, 19(14), 8532; https://0-doi-org.brum.beds.ac.uk/10.3390/ijerph19148532 - 12 Jul 2022

Cited by 3 | Viewed by 2212

Abstract

The COVID-19 pandemic is a challenge for health systems. The absence of prior evidence makes it difficult to disseminate consensual care recommendations. However, lifestyle adaptation is key to controlling the pandemic. In light of this, nursing has its own model and language that allow these recommendations to be combined from global and person-centred perspectives. The purpose of the study is to design a population-oriented care recommendation guide for COVID-19. The methodology uses a group of experts who provide classified recommendations according to Gordon’s functional patterns, after which a technical team unifies them and returns them for validation through the content validity index (CVI). The experts send 1178 records representing 624 recommendations, which are unified into 258. In total, 246 recommendations (95.35%) are validated, 170 (65.89%) obtain high validation with CVI > 0.80, and 12 (4.65%) are not validated by CVI < 0.50. The mean CVI per pattern is 0.84 (0.70–0.93). These recommendations provide a general framework from a nursing care perspective. Each professional can use this guide to adapt the recommendations to each individual or community and thus measure the health impact. In the future, this guideline could be updated as more evidence becomes available. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Evidence-Based Behaviour Change Interventions in Healthcare)

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Review

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28 pages, 624 KiB

Open AccessReview

Evidence-Based Eating Patterns and Behavior Changes to Limit Excessive Gestational Weight Gain: A Scoping Review

by Kiley Ketchum and Cecilia M. Jevitt

Int. J. Environ. Res. Public Health 2024, 21(1), 15; https://0-doi-org.brum.beds.ac.uk/10.3390/ijerph21010015 - 21 Dec 2023

Viewed by 1752

Abstract

Background: International prenatal care guidelines set a standard for clinicians to discuss gestational weight gain with their patients along with the complications associated with prepregnancy obesity and excessive gestational weight gain. Clinicians often lack evidence-based eating, nutrition, and activity strategies to share with patients. Methods: This systematic review aimed to find eating patterns and behaviors that could be used safely during pregnancy to limit excessive gestational weight gain. PubMed, MEDLINE, and Web of Science were searched for research or systematic reviews performed in the United States or Canada and published in English from 2013 to 2023. Keyword search terms included weight, manage, behavior, strategy, strategies, gestational weight gain, and nutrition. Excluded research used pediatric or adolescent populations, restrictive diets, such as no carbohydrate or no fat diets, fasting, bariatric surgery, weight loss medications, private industry or profit-earning programs using food brands, or specific diet programs. Results: A total of 844 abstracts were retrieved, with 103 full-text studies reviewed. Behaviors had to be useful for maintaining a healthy gestational weight gain and had to be safe for use during pregnancy. Behaviors useful during pregnancy included meal planning, home meal preparation, portion control, using diets such as the Mediterranean diet, the low-glycemic index diet, and the Dietary Approaches to Stop Hypertension diet (DASH), regular physical activity, sleeping 6–7 h a night, mindful eating, intuitive eating, and regular seif-weighing. Conclusion: The evidence-based strategies outlined in this review are safe for use during pregnancy and can assist patients in avoiding excessive gestational weight gain while maintaining the nutrition needed for healthy fetal growth. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Evidence-Based Behaviour Change Interventions in Healthcare)

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12 pages, 683 KiB

Open AccessReview

Systematic Review of Brain-Eating Amoeba: A Decade Update

by Mohd ‘Ammar Ihsan Ahmad Zamzuri, Farah Nabila Abd Majid, Massitah Mihat, Siti Salwa Ibrahim, Muhammad Ismail, Suriyati Abd Aziz, Zuraida Mohamed, Lokman Rejali, Hazlina Yahaya, Zulhizzam Abdullah, Mohd Rohaizat Hassan, Rahmat Dapari and Abd Majid Mohd Isa

Int. J. Environ. Res. Public Health 2023, 20(4), 3021; https://0-doi-org.brum.beds.ac.uk/10.3390/ijerph20043021 - 09 Feb 2023

Cited by 7 | Viewed by 3419

Abstract

Introduction: Primary amoebic meningoencephalitis (PAM) is a rare but lethal infection of the brain caused by a eukaryote called Naegleria fowleri (N. fowleri). The aim of this review is to consolidate the recently published case reports of N. fowleri infection by describing its epidemiology and clinical features with the goal of ultimately disseminating this information to healthcare personnel. Methods: A comprehensive literature search was carried out using PubMed, Web of Science, Scopus, and OVID databases until 31 December 2022 by two independent reviewers. All studies from the year 2013 were extracted, and quality assessments were carried out meticulously prior to their inclusion in the final analysis. Results: A total of 21 studies were selected for qualitative analyses out of the 461 studies extracted. The cases were distributed globally, and 72.7% of the cases succumbed to mortality. The youngest case was an 11-day-old boy, while the eldest was a 75-year-old. Significant exposure to freshwater either from recreational activities or from a habit of irrigating the nostrils preceded onset. The symptoms at early presentation included fever, headache, and vomiting, while late sequalae showed neurological manifestation. An accurate diagnosis remains a challenge, as the symptoms mimic bacterial meningitis. Confirmatory tests include the direct visualisation of the amoeba or the use of the polymerase chain reaction method. Conclusions: N. fowleri infection is rare but leads to PAM. Its occurrence is worldwide with a significant risk of fatality. The suggested probable case definition based on the findings is the acute onset of fever, headache, and vomiting with meningeal symptoms following exposure to freshwater within the previous 14 days. Continuous health promotion and health education activities for the public can help to improve knowledge and awareness prior to engagement in freshwater activities. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Evidence-Based Behaviour Change Interventions in Healthcare)

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17 pages, 822 KiB

Open AccessReview

Interventions to Promote the Utilization of Physical Health Care for People with Severe Mental Illness: A Scoping Review

by Michael Strunz, Naomi Pua’nani Jiménez, Lisa Gregorius, Walter Hewer, Johannes Pollmanns, Kerstin Viehmann and Frank Jacobi

Int. J. Environ. Res. Public Health 2023, 20(1), 126; https://0-doi-org.brum.beds.ac.uk/10.3390/ijerph20010126 - 22 Dec 2022

Cited by 4 | Viewed by 2124

Abstract

Background: The main contributor to excess mortality in severe mental illness (SMI) is poor physical health. Causes include unfavorable health behaviors among people with SMI, stigmatization phenomena, as well as limited access to and utilization of physical health care. Patient centered interventions to promote the utilization of and access to existing physical health care facilities may be a pragmatic and cost-effective approach to improve health equity in this vulnerable and often neglected patient population. Objective/Methods: In this study, we systematically reviewed the international literature on such studies (sources: literature databases, trial-registries, grey literature). Empirical studies (quantitative, qualitative, and mixed methods) of interventions to improve the utilization of and access to medical health care for people with a SMI, were included. Results: We identified 38 studies, described in 51 study publications, and summarized them in terms of type, theoretical rationale, outcome measures, and study author’s interpretation of the intervention success. Conclusions: Useful interventions to promote the utilization of physical health care for people with a SMI exist, but still appear to be rare, or at least not supplemented by evaluation studies. The present review provides a map of the evidence and may serve as a starting point for further quantitative effectiveness evaluations of this promising type of behavioral intervention. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Evidence-Based Behaviour Change Interventions in Healthcare)

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