Differences between rural and urban primary care practices in asthma and allergic rhinitis control: the Greek experience.

Introduction: Limited data exist on allergic rhinitis and asthma control in rural primary care. Therefore, the aim of our study was to assess asthma and comorbid allergic rhinitis control in patients attending primary care in both urban and rural settings in Greece. Additionally, we aimed to identify potential factors associated with the control of asthma and comorbid allergic rhinitis.

Changes in the smoking status of primary care professionals and their association with rates of tobacco treatment delivery: the TiTAN Greece & Cyprus tobacco dependence treatment training programme.

Aim: This study examines the impact of a continuing medical education (CME) intervention on smoking cessation among primary-care professionals (PCPs) and explores the relationship between PCP smoking status and patient tobacco-treatment delivery.

Background: High rates of tobacco use among PCPs have been reported in several European countries. PCPs who smoke are less motivated to provide cessation support to their patients.

Exploring the link of educational environment and self-esteem with critical thinking in undergraduate nursing university students: a cross-sectional study.

Objectives: To assess CT, SE, and perceptions of EE of nursing students in Greece, and explore the potential associations between them.

Methods: This cross-sectional study was conducted in a Nursing department from February to May 2024. We used the Dundee Ready Education Environment Measure (DREEM), the Critical Thinking Disposition Scale (CTDS), and the Rosenberg Self-Esteem Scale (RSE) questionnaires.

Factors Influencing COVID-19 Vaccination Hesitancy and Booster Dose Adherence Among University Students: A Cross-Sectional Study in Crete, Greece.

Vaccination hesitancy remains a global challenge, especially after the COVID-19 pandemic. We aimed to assess the prevalence of hesitancy towards regular COVID-19 vaccinations, including booster doses (additional doses beyond the primary to sustain or improve immunity), among university students and its associated factors. We conducted a cross-sectional study involving 190 university students from Hellenic Mediterranean University in Crete, Greece.

Unmasking the Hidden Morbidity of Ocular Diseases in Primary Care Through a Collaboration with Specialists in Remote Areas: A Cross-Sectional Study from Rural Crete, Greece.

: Ocular disorders are not frequently addressed in primary care, which is more visible in remote rural settings. The aim of the study was to assess the prevalence and pattern of eye diseases in a remote rural population of Crete and to explore whether they represent a hidden morbidity. : A community-based, cross-sectional study based on data collected through a comprehensive clinical investigation conducted by a mobile ophthalmological unit.

Vitamin D deficiency and its potential associations on the health status of older patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease in rural Crete, Greece: A cross-sectional study.

Background & Aims: While low vitamin D levels are common in Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD) and have been associated with various adverse COPD-related outcomes, data on vitamin D status in rural COPD cohorts is limited. Therefore, the present study aimed to assess the prevalence of Vitamin D deficiency among patients with COPD living in rural areas and explore its potential association on the overall health status.

Methods: This cross-sectional study included 138 participants >40 years with COPD from the prospective "COlaborative care vs usual CARE in primary care patients with COPD" (COCARE) study.

A Practical Guide for Improving and Evaluating the Components of Emotional Intelligence in Healthcare Students.

Emotional intelligence (EI) is essential for healthcare professionals as it can improve their overall performance at multiple levels. However, healthcare professionals do not adequately improve their EI during their university education. Therefore, in this perspective article, we present a practical guide for teaching and evaluating the components of EI in healthcare students, and the most common challenges/barriers for implementing EI to healthcare education curricula.

Stakeholder Consensus on an Interdisciplinary Terminology to Enable the Development and Uptake of Medication Adherence Technologies Across Health Systems: Web-Based Real-Time Delphi Study.

Background: Technology-mediated medication adherence interventions have proven useful, yet implementation in clinical practice is low. The European Network to Advance Best Practices and Technology on Medication Adherence (ENABLE) European Cooperation in Science and Technology Action (CA19132) online repository of medication adherence technologies (MATechs) aims to provide an open access, searchable knowledge management platform to facilitate innovation and support medication adherence management across health systems. To provide a solid foundation for optimal use and collaboration, the repository requires a shared interdisciplinary terminology.

Factors Influencing General Practitioners' Deprescribing Decisions for Older Adults, with Insights into Frailty: a Qualitative Study in Greek Primary Care.

Introduction: Polypharmacy is increasing among older individuals worldwide. Deprescribing has been suggested as a strategy to reduce polypharmacy, but it has had a limited impact.

Objective: This study investigated the facilitators and barriers to deprescribing in older adults, as perceived by primary care general practitioners, focusing particularly on factors influencing deprescribing in frail individuals.

Optimal Pathways to Lung Cancer Screening in Primary Care Settings: A Scoping Review.

Lung cancer is the leading cause of cancer-related deaths worldwide, and delayed detection contributes to poor outcomes. Primary care plays a crucial role in early diagnosis, but detecting lung cancer early remains challenging for general practitioners (GPs). Therefore, the aim of this scoping review was to identify optimal strategies and pathways for lung cancer screening (LCS) in primary care settings globally.

Improving GPs' Emotional Intelligence and Resilience to Better Manage Chronic Respiratory Diseases Through an Experiential Online Training Intervention: A Mixed Methods Study.

Background/objectives: High levels of emotional intelligence (EI) and resilience in primary care physicians (PCPs) can help them communicate better with patients, build stronger relationships with colleagues, and foster a positive and collaborative workplace. However, studies have indicated that primary care physicians (PCPs) often do not focus enough on developing these skills. Consequently, the purpose of this mixed methods study was to evaluate the effectiveness of an experiential online training (EOT) intervention in enhancing the EI and resilience of PCPs who treat patients with chronic respiratory diseases (CRDs).

Vaccine Hesitancy and Associated Factors Amongst Health Professionals: A Scoping Review of the Published Literature.

Healthcare professionals (HCPs) hold significant influence over public attitudes toward vaccinations. Studies suggest that HCPs are hesitant towards the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) vaccines. This hesitancy could lead to lower vaccination rates in the community.

Association of Positive Airway Pressure Adherence with Clinical Outcomes in Patients with Type 2 Diabetes and Obstructive Sleep Apnea.

There are controversies regarding the effect of obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) treatment with positive airway pressure (PAP) on diabetes-related outcomes. Therefore, we aimed to explore the association of PAP adherence with diabetes-related outcomes in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) and OSA. In this prospective study, we included T2DM patients diagnosed with OSA during an 8-year period (2015-2023).

Primary healthcare professionals' perceptions, attitudes and ideas regarding asthma management in Greece: A mixed-method study.

Background: Implementing asthma guideline recommendations is challenging and there is variation between countries, and different healthcare professionals (HCPs). The International Primary Care Respiratory Group (IPCRG) has introduced the Asthma Right Care (ARC) programme implemented in 24 low, middle, and high countries, including Greece. It offers a promising approach drawn from social movements for health to improve asthma care by engaging HCPs in implementing guideline-based asthma care.

Association of Lifestyle Behaviors with Quality of Life in Patients with COPD: A Cross-Sectional Study in Primary Care.

: The association between healthy lifestyle behaviors and their effect on quality of life among patients with COPD remains unclear. Therefore, the aim of this study was to explore the lifestyle behaviors and their association with the disease-specific quality of life among a primary care population with COPD in Greece. : This cross-sectional study included 236 participants aged 40 years and older from the COCARE COPD study.

The Effect of Sleep Impairment, as Assessed by the CASIS Questionnaire, in Patients with Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease on Disease Severity and Physical and Mental Health: A Cross-Sectional Study in Primary Care.

The aim of our study was to assess the prevalence of sleep impairment among primary care patients with COPD and explore its impact on disease severity and overall health status. This cross-sectional study included 251 participants > 40 years old from the prospective COCARE COPD study. Data on sociodemographic characteristics, medical history, disease-specific quality of life [COPD Assessment Test (CAT)], COPD severity [Global Initiative for Chronic Obstructive Lung Disease (GOLD) 2023 categorization based on CAT score and exacerbations], fatigue [Fatigue Severity Scale (FSS)], psychological parameters [Patient Health Questionnaire-9 (PHQ-9) and General Anxiety Disorder-7 (GAD-7)], and sleep complaints [COPD and Asthma Sleep Impact Scale (CASIS) and Epworth Sleepiness Scale (ESS)] were collected.

Practice Recommendations for the Management of MASLD in Primary Care: Consensus Results.

Background: Despite its high prevalence and impact on health, metabolic dysfunction-associated steatotic liver disease (MASLD) is inadequately addressed in European primary care (PC), with a large proportion of cases going undiagnosed or diagnosed too late. A multi-country European research consortium led a project to design and evaluate a patient-centered, integrated model for MASLD screening, diagnosis, and linkage to specialty care for European PC settings. Based on the lessons from this project, the latest research evidence, and existing guidelines for the management of MASLD, we sought to develop a set of practice recommendations for screening, referral, and management of MASLD in PC.

Assessment of Cognitive Function in European Adults Aged 50+in Relation to Their Handgrip Strength and Physical Inactivity: The SHARE Study During 2019-2020.

Background: Cognitive function is crucial during aging. This study assessed the cognitive function of European adults aged 50 and over in relation to handgrip strength and physical inactivity. This was a cross-sectional survey.

Health-Related Issues of Users of Social Care Services for Elderly and Their Caregivers: A Cross-Sectional Study in a Day Care Center.

Aim: The aim of this study was to examine two hypotheses: 1) Users of Day Care Center for Elderly (DCCE) would have frail health and multiple age-related care needs, and 2) caregivers would have to deal with some levels of anxiety due to the burden of care, and similar levels of quality of life to the users.

Materials And Methods: The current cross-sectional study was carried out at a DCCE of the regional unit of Heraklion, Crete, Greece, between March-April 2022. The study sample comprised 29 DCCE social care services users and 51 caregivers.

The FRESHAIR4Life study: Global implementation research on non-communicable disease prevention targeting adolescents' exposure to tobacco and air pollution in disadvantaged populations.

The FRESHAIR4Life study aims to reduce the non-communicable disease (NCD) burden by implementing preventive interventions targeting adolescents' exposure to tobacco use and air pollution (AP) worldwide. This paper presents the FRESHAIR4Life methodology and initial rapid review results. The rapid review, using various databases and PubMed, aimed to guide decision-making on risk factor focus, target areas, and populations.

Prevalence and Characteristics of Patients with Obstructive Sleep Apnea and Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease: Overlap Syndrome.

Overlap syndrome (OVS) is a distinct clinical entity that seems to result in potential cardiovascular consequences. We aimed to estimate the prevalence and risk factors for OVS in OSA patients and analyze clinical and PSG characteristics associated with OVS. In this cross-sectional study, 2616 patients evaluated for OSA underwent type-1 polysomnography (PSG).

Utilization of Health Care Services and Accessibility Challenges among Adults Aged 50+ before and after Austerity Measures across 27 European Countries: Secular Trends in the SHARE Study from 2004/05 to 2019/20.

This study aimed to assess and compare the utilization of preventive and other health services and the cost or availability in different regions of Europe, before and during the economic crisis. The data used in the study were obtained from Wave 8 of the Survey of Health, Ageing and Retirement in Europe (2019/2020) and Wave 1 data (2004/5), with a sample size of 46,106 individuals aged ≥50 across 27 countries, adjusted to represent a population of N = 180,886,962. Composite scores were derived for preventive health services utilization (PHSU), health care services utilization (HCSU), and lack of accessibility/availability in health care services (LAAHCS).

The journey of lung cancer patients from symptoms to diagnosis in Greece. A mixed methods approach.

The early diagnosis of lung cancer improves the probability of successful treatment. However, patients and physicians face several difficulties that can considerably delay the diagnostic process. A mixed-methods study that would follow the patient's journey throughout the diagnostic process could alleviate these difficulties.