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Improving Healthcare Quality
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Improving Healthcare Quality

A special issue of Healthcare (ISSN 2227-9032). This special issue belongs to the section "Nursing".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: closed (31 January 2025) | Viewed by 10087

Special Issue Editors

Prof. Dr. Sagrario Gómez-Cantarino

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
Nursing and Physiotherapy Faculty, Universidad de Castilla-La Mancha, 13071 Toledo, Spain
Interests: sexual education; inclusion in sexual health; gender and health sexual dysfunction; humanization in healthcare
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals
Dr. Anja Edith Geisler

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
Department of Organ and Transplantation, Copenhagen University Hospital, 2100 Copenhagen, Denmark
Interests: acute pain treatment and management; health care; immersive virtual reality
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

Training in health sciences, which is increasingly important for a globalized world, requires professionals involved in multidisciplinary knowledge and trained to apply direct techniques to the patient/client. Among these, attention must be paid to the pain of the patient in all its ages and dimensions, without forgetting that new simulation techniques for direct treatment in emergencies and emergencies are of vital importance in the face of the new challenges of the 21st century. The current vision of health professionals must contemplate the changes that have taken place in our social, economic and political life, without neglecting culture, which highlights transnational problems in relation to health.

This Special Issue invites research within quality standards, in narrative, scoping, integrative, as well as systematic reviews with/without meta-analysis and original articles (qualitative/quantitative) dealing with topics such as the improvement of higher education leading to quality interprofessional practice in a system centered on all areas involving direct patient care, encouraging a change in attitudes towards teamwork focused on interprofessional care and professional practice. Such a situation facilitates and improves interprofessional education and practice in the face of patient-centered pharmacological and non-pharmacological treatment, promoting health systems and their management with interprofessional practices in a globalized world taking into account culture, ethnicity, and religion in care.

You may choose our Joint Special Issue in International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health.

Dr. Sagrario Gómez-Cantarino
Dr. Anja Edith Geisler
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. Healthcare is an international peer-reviewed open access semimonthly 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 2700 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

  • pain management
  • analgesics
  • pain evaluation
  • mobile emergency team
  • outreach
  • immersive VR
  • pharmacological treatment
  • non-pharmacological treatment
  • comprehensive patient care
  • interprofessional education
  • care practice
  • health culture
  • health services management

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Further information on MDPI's Special Issue policies can be found here.

Published Papers (5 papers)

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Research

12 pages, 243 KiB  
Article
Social and Demographic Determinants of Health: A Descriptive Study on the Impact of Place of Residence and Community Belonging
by Roser Pedret-Llaberia, Teresa Basora-Gallisà, Sara Martínez-Torres, Sergi Rodríguez-Soler, Meritxell Pallejà-Millán, Agata Buscemi, Cristina Rey-Reñones and Francisco M. Martín-Luján
Healthcare 2025, 13(10), 1125; https://doi.org/10.3390/healthcare13101125 - 12 May 2025
Viewed by 231
Abstract
Background: Social conditions in which individuals live, work, and interact have a significant impact on health. Extensive evidence suggests that place of residence influences health disparities and overall well-being. Understanding the characteristics of a population can help shape healthcare policies that contribute to [...] Read more.
Background: Social conditions in which individuals live, work, and interact have a significant impact on health. Extensive evidence suggests that place of residence influences health disparities and overall well-being. Understanding the characteristics of a population can help shape healthcare policies that contribute to improved public well-being. Objective: The aim of this research was to describe the main characteristics of the population under study, considering place of residence and other sociodemographic factors. Methods: This is a descriptive study. A tailored 79-item questionnaire was developed based on validated instruments, including variables related to sociodemographic, physical activity, rest and sleep patterns, emotional well-being, and sense of community belonging. The sample was obtained through an open invitation to the general population, ensuring representativeness in terms of sex, age, and nationality. Data were analysed using standard statistical methods for this type of study. Results: A total of 487 different response profiles were collected, representing 3.7% of the total population. Not all participants answered every question. Overall, 33.6% of respondents reported having a chronic disease, with the highest prevalence among individuals over 65 years old. Notably, those who live alone are not necessarily the ones who report feeling the loneliest. The findings highlight the need for new social and healthcare policies at the institutional level. Conclusions: No statistically significant differences were found based on place of residence, except for those related to physical activity and sense of community belonging. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Improving Healthcare Quality)
20 pages, 901 KiB  
Article
Exploring a Co-Designed Approach for Healthcare Quality Improvement—Learning Through Developmental Evaluation
by Katharina Kovacs Burns and Marian George
Healthcare 2025, 13(3), 311; https://doi.org/10.3390/healthcare13030311 - 3 Feb 2025
Viewed by 768
Abstract
Background: Healthcare setting teams were challenged to understand how and what to measure regarding healthcare quality improvement (HQI), who should be involved, and what approach to apply. We aimed to determine if a generic co-design approach involving patients/families, multi-disciplinary care providers, and other [...] Read more.
Background: Healthcare setting teams were challenged to understand how and what to measure regarding healthcare quality improvement (HQI), who should be involved, and what approach to apply. We aimed to determine if a generic co-design approach involving patients/families, multi-disciplinary care providers, and other staff was feasible to apply for HQI across diverse care settings. Developmental evaluation embedded in the co-design approach would determine its effectiveness, challenges, and other experiences across care settings and teams. Methods: Twenty-two acute and community care settings agreed to participate in applying a phased co-design approach to their HQI initiatives, including developmental evaluation. Each care setting team received co-design orientation and support. Semi-structured interviews and focus groups were conducted with patient/family advisors (PFAs) and care setting staff/care providers to gather their experiences with the co-design approach applied to their phased HQI work. Transcripts were thematically analyzed and triangulated with observation notes of care setting team discussions. Experiences were gathered from 17 PFAs and 68 staff/care providers across the 22 participating healthcare settings. Results: Themes for the orientation and each phase emphasized the importance of participants’ understanding, engagement, and ongoing open communication throughout the HQI co-design process. The orientation was viewed as key to facilitating good outcomes. Participants valued working together, gathering real-time experiences to “make a difference”, and having PFA voices involved in co-designing the HQI initiatives. Challenges were identified, including time commitment. Conclusions: Based on the overall developmental evaluation findings, there was consensus that a generic co-design of HQI initiatives was effective, feasible, and sustainable across care settings. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Improving Healthcare Quality)
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10 pages, 948 KiB  
Article
Anti-COVID-19 Vaccination in the Italian General Population: Proactive Clinical Risk Analysis Using Failure Mode, Effects, and Criticality Analysis Technique
by Beatrice Balestracci, Giuseppe Candido, Lorenzo Federici, Chiara Parretti, Riccardo Tartaglia, Peter Lachman, Alessandra Bianco and Micaela La Regina
Healthcare 2024, 12(24), 2541; https://doi.org/10.3390/healthcare12242541 - 16 Dec 2024
Viewed by 942
Abstract
Background: Large-scale vaccination was crucial to address the global COVID-19 pandemic and its associated health risks, including fatal and disabling diseases. However, there were significant challenges to be overcome to ensure the safe and effective implementation of the vaccination program. The aim [...] Read more.
Background: Large-scale vaccination was crucial to address the global COVID-19 pandemic and its associated health risks, including fatal and disabling diseases. However, there were significant challenges to be overcome to ensure the safe and effective implementation of the vaccination program. The aim of the present study was to assess patient safety threats related to the anti-COVID-19 large-scale vaccination process. Methods: Between February and May 2021, we conducted a proper analysis to proactively identify risks and potential Failure Modes (FMs) in the COVID-19 vaccination process using the Failure Mode, Effects, and Criticality Analysis (FMECA) technique at an Italian Public Health Authority. A standardized risk scoring system was used to assess the severity, frequency, and detectability of events associated with potential failures. Criticalities were identified in both the preparatory and operational areas of the vaccination process, and several potential FMs were listed in descending order of risk score (Risk Priority Number, RPN) to ensure prioritization of interventions. Results: The most critical steps were found to be in the operational area rather than in the preparatory one. The highest RPNs were associated with failure or inadequate management of severe allergic reactions that can lead to serious harm and even death of the vaccinated person (RPN 60) and failure to keep updated vaccination teams’ knowledge (RPN 36). Conclusions: Ensuring patient safety and effective clinical risk management are crucial in mass vaccination campaigns. By prioritizing these aspects through collaboration with various stakeholders and implementing preventive measures, patient trust—on which vaccination campaign success relies—can be built and maintained. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Improving Healthcare Quality)
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13 pages, 250 KiB  
Article
The Right to Equal Health: Best Practice Priorities for Māori with Bipolar Disorder from Staff Focus Groups
by Tracy Haitana, Mau Te Rangimarie Clark, Marie Crowe, Ruth Cunningham, Richard Porter, Suzanne Pitama, Roger Mulder and Cameron Lacey
Healthcare 2024, 12(7), 793; https://doi.org/10.3390/healthcare12070793 - 6 Apr 2024
Viewed by 1870
Abstract
Bipolar disorder (BD) is a serious mental health condition that is clinically complex to monitor and manage. While best practice guidelines exist, they vary internationally lacking consensus. Indigenous peoples, including Māori in New Zealand, experience higher community rates of BD. While New Zealand [...] Read more.
Bipolar disorder (BD) is a serious mental health condition that is clinically complex to monitor and manage. While best practice guidelines exist, they vary internationally lacking consensus. Indigenous peoples, including Māori in New Zealand, experience higher community rates of BD. While New Zealand practice guidelines recommend providing culturally responsive care to Māori, studies show that Māori do not receive best practice. This qualitative study aimed to share the evidence about patterns of health service use and Māori patient experiences with focus group participants involved in the design and delivery of BD services, to discuss and develop guidelines for best practice for Māori with BD and address areas of unmet need. Three focus groups were conducted with 22 participants involved in the delivery of services to Māori with BD across three sites. Willing participants were sent background information and three focus group questions framed to elicit priority solutions to improve clinical, structural and organisational features of mental health service delivery for Māori patients with BD and their whānau (family). The nominal group technique was used to synthesise responses, and then develop a prioritised list of proposed solutions. Results identified system-level changes required at the clinical, structural and organisational levels of healthcare. Findings further evidence the need for healthcare reform in New Zealand, to be responsive to Māori with BD. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Improving Healthcare Quality)
15 pages, 583 KiB  
Article
Development and Validation of the Therapeutic Communication Scale in Nursing Students
by Soolgi Han, Jinhee Yoo and Kyonghwa Kang
Healthcare 2024, 12(3), 394; https://doi.org/10.3390/healthcare12030394 - 3 Feb 2024
Cited by 1 | Viewed by 5160
Abstract
This study aimed to develop and validate a scale for measuring the therapeutic communication of nursing students. The scale development and evaluation study was conducted based on the scale development guidelines of DeVellis. A 47-item instrument was developed based on a review of [...] Read more.
This study aimed to develop and validate a scale for measuring the therapeutic communication of nursing students. The scale development and evaluation study was conducted based on the scale development guidelines of DeVellis. A 47-item instrument was developed based on a review of the literature and interviews with 16 experts. Content validity was evaluated by ten nursing scholars, and the number of items was reduced to 35. The scale was administered to 352 nursing students from three regions in South Korea in 2022. Exploratory factor analysis and confirmatory factor analysis were performed on the scale items. Convergent validity, discriminant validity, and internal consistency reliability of the scale were evaluated. The factor analysis resulted in 15 items and two factors: relationship building and problem solving. Confirmatory factor analysis and evaluation of convergent and discriminant validity provided support for the validity of the two-factor Therapeutic Communication Scale in nursing students. The total scale demonstrated good internal consistency, with a McDonald’s omega (ω) of 0.89. The Therapeutic Communication Scale is a reliable and valid measure that can be used to assess nursing students’ therapeutic communication competence related to patient-centered nursing and provide foundational data to improve such skills. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Improving Healthcare Quality)
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