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Unidade de Investigação - ciTechCare - Center for Innovative Care and Health Technology

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New solution driven research and development (R&D) unit dedicated to promote health in a multidisciplinary and inter-professional approach.

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Browsing Unidade de Investigação - ciTechCare - Center for Innovative Care and Health Technology by Sustainable Development Goals (SDG) "04:Educação de Qualidade"

Now showing 1 - 10 of 30
  • The Arabic Version of the Patient Health Questionnaire‐2 (PHQ‐2): Psychometric Evaluation Among Mothers of Children With Intellectual Disabilities
    Publication . Ali, Amira Mohammed; Al-Dossary, Saeed A; Aljaberi, Musheer A.; El-Gazar, Heba Emad; Laranjeira, Carlos; Khatatbeh, Haitham; Zoromba, Mohamed Ali; Alamer, Rasmieh; Amer, Faten; Pakai, Annamaria; Fekih-Romdhane, Feten; Lidoriki, Eirini
    Aim: Mothers of children with intellectual disabilities are particularly vulnerable to mental distress due to demanding and exhausting caregiving. However, in the Arab world, they are seldom screened for depression because of limited diagnostic resources. Addressing the urgent need for brief and reliable screening tools, this study evaluated the psychometric properties of the Arabic version of the Patient Health Questionnaire-2 (PHQ-2) among 85 Saudi mothers. Design: A cross-sectional study. Methods: The construct, convergent, and divergent validity of the PHQ-2 was examined through a latent variable model (LVM), while its cutoff score was examined through receiver-operating characteristic (ROC) curve analysis. Results: The unidimensional PHQ-2 (item loadings > 0.7) was positively predicted by stress and negatively predicted by high mood and happiness, supporting its convergent and divergent validity. The PHQ-2 effectively predicted low mood, poor sleep quality, nightmares, high stress, low general physical health, and willingness to join a psychological support program (area under the curve [AUC] range = 0.72–0.84, p values < 0.001). The best balance between sensitivity and specificity was achieved at the PHQ-2 threshold ≥ 2.5, while the cutoff ≥ 3.5 demonstrated a higher positive predictive value (PPV) for all outcomes (range = 30.0–78.8 vs. 23.0–70.8). Conclusions: The PHQ-2 is a brief, valid tool, which at cutoffs ≥ 2.5 and ≥ 3.5 can reliably detect clinically significant depression and related psychological and physical adverse effects. Mothers scoring ≥ 3.5 may require a clinician-based examination for depression, and they may benefit from specific mental health literacy interventions. However, the results should be interpreted with caution given convenience sampling, a small sample size, and elevated distress levels in the current population. These limitations highlight the need to replicate the study with larger, randomly selected samples from more diverse populations. Implications for Practice: Nurses can efficiently screen for depression and its mental/physical sequelae, as well as monitor response to treatment using only two items. The study provided two well-interpreted cutoffs of the PHQ-2, with real-world implications for mental health screening in under-resourced settings. Reporting Method: The study adhered to STROBE guidelines. Patient or Public Contribution: No patient or public contribution. Copyright © 2025 Amira Mohammed Ali et al. Nursing Research and Practice published by John Wiley & Sons Ltd.
    2025-07-10Journal article Open access Show more
  • Burnout protective patterns among oncology nurses: a cross-sectional study using machine learning analysis
    Publication . Rocha, Ana; Costeira, Cristina; Barbosa, Raul; Gonçalves, Florbela; Castelo-Branco, Miguel; Viana, Joaquim; Gaudêncio, Margarida; Ventura, Filipa
    Background Oncology nurses face unique and intense demands due to the nature of their work, caring for patients with life-threatening illnesses. The emergence of professional burnout among these nurses is influenced by several factors, highlighting the importance of identifying protective and risk factors to mitigate its impact. This study aims to identify burnout profiles and protective socio-demographic and work-related patterns associated with reduced burnout among oncology nurses. Methods A cross-sectional study was conducted with 150 oncology nurses at a specialized hospital exclusively dedicated to adult oncology treatment in Portugal. Data collection included a self-administered questionnaire incorporating the validated Portuguese version of Maslach Burnout Inventory (MBI). Statistical analyses were performed using SPSS and machine learning tools, specifically KMeans clustering and Random Forest algorithms. Results Six protective patterns against burnout were identified, characterized by conditions of permanent contracts, work-life balance, and supportive work environments. Moreover, factors such as holding management roles and being a parent of two or more children might even be protective in some circumstances, suggesting a nuanced relation between personal and professional factors. Machine learning analyses made apparent the unpredictability of burnout and highlighted the critical role of protective factors in mitigating its impact. Conclusions This study underscores the importance of resilience-building strategies and promoting protective factors, such as job stability, learned experience, and adequate rest, to reduce burnout risk among oncology nurses. Future research should validate these findings through hypothesis-driven analyses to inform targeted and context-specific burnout prevention programs.
    2025-07-01Journal article Open access Show more
  • CLC-CPC Creating learning communities for compassionate palliative care cultures - Train-the-trainer-course Curriculum
    Publication . Schuchter, Patrick; Buchegger, Marianne; Jurka, Johannes; Fupun, Claudia; Adascalitei, Irina; Dreglea , Ina; Gaicu, Elena; Lazar, Alina; Dixe, Maria dos Anjos; Querido, Ana; Laranjeira, Carlos
    iCare - an International Integrated perspective in palliative CARE for dignity and proper support in ageing and approaching end of life" is an interprofessional and participatory project led by Organizatia Umanitaria Concordia, Romania, in cooperation with the Kardinal König Haus, Vienna and the Polytechnic University of Leiria, Portugal. The European Union financially supports this initiative under the Erasmus+ program (Grant No. 2023-1-RO01-KA220-VET-000166902). The Train-the-Trainers (TOT) course curriculum in Palliative care is focused on Death Literacy and Creating Learning Communities from the Plublic Health Palliative Care perspective. The document presents TOT conceptual foundations, adult learning Philosophy, learning fields and objectives, learning outcomes per content, and evaluation.
    2025Technical documentation Open access Show more
  • Collaborative Practices in Mental Health Care: A Concept Analysis
    Publication . Pinheiro, Eslia; Laranjeira, Carlos; Harmuch, Camila; Graça, José Mateus Bezerra; Ali, Amira Mohammed; Fekih-Romdhane, Feten; Yıldırım, Murat; Severo, Ana Kalliny; Franco, Elisângela
    Background/Objectives: Collaboration in mental health care is essential for implementing a model oriented towards the psychosocial rehabilitation of people based on multifaceted interventions involving different actors and sectors of society to respond to demands. Despite the benefits presented by the scientific evidence, there are still many barriers to collaborative care, and professionals continue to struggle in reorienting their conduct. The current situation demands organization and the framing of well-founded action plans to overcome challenges, which in turn requires a detailed understanding of collaborative practices in mental health care and their conceptual boundaries. A concept analysis was undertaken to propose a working definition of collaborative practices in mental health care (CPMHC). Methods: This paper used the Walker and Avant concept analysis method. This includes identifying the defining concept attributes, antecedents, consequences, and empirical referents. A literature search was carried out from November 2024 to February 2025 in three databases (Medline, CINAHL, and LILACS), considering studies published between 2010 and 2024. Results: The final sample of literature investigated consisted of 30 studies. The key attributes were effective communication, building bonds, co-responsibility for care, hierarchical flexibility, articulation between services, providers and community, monitoring and evaluating of care processes, and attention to the plurality of sociocultural contexts. Conclusions: This comprehensive analysis contributes to guiding future research and policy development of collaborative practices in mental health, considering the individual, relational, institutional, and social levels. Further research is possible to deepen the understanding of the production of collaborative practices in mental health in the face of the complexity of social relations and structural inequities.
    2025-08-02Journal article Open access Show more
  • A Complex Intervention to Minimize Medication Error by Nurses in Intensive Care: A Case Study
    Publication . Coelho, Fábio; Furtado, Luís; Tavares, Márcio; Pereira, Joana Sousa
    Background/Objectives: Medication errors are the most frequent and critical issues in healthcare settings, often leading to worsened clinical outcomes, increased treatment costs, extended hospital stays, and heightened mortality and morbidity rates. These errors are particularly prevalent in intensive care units (ICUs), where the complexity and critical nature of the care elevate the risks. Nurses play a pivotal role in preventing medication errors and require strategies and methods to enhance patient safety. This study aims to develop a comprehensive and evidence-based intervention to minimize medication errors by nurses in ICUs. Methods: This qualitative case study forms a part of a broader research project that commenced with a scoping review. Building on the review findings, a complex intervention was designed to address nurses’ medication errors. A focus group of experts was conducted to validate the intervention designed, evaluating its contextual feasibility and relevance. Results: This study led to the development of a complex intervention whose relevance lies in its potential implementation within the studied context. The resulting intervention was structured around four main components—educational interventions, verification and safety methods, organizational and functional modifications, and an error reporting system—meticulously designed to leverage the ICU’s existing resources. Conclusions: In conclusion, the proposed intervention has the potential to positively impact healthcare quality by reducing errors and promoting a culture of safety. Furthermore, this study’s findings provide a relevant foundation for future research and practical applications, driving advancements in healthcare service excellence.
    2025-01-02Journal article Open access Show more
  • Compreensão Leitora em Pessoas com Trissomia 21 – Revisão de Escopo
    Publication . Barradas, Beatriz; Correia, Maria Rodrigues; Taveira, Luísa; Rodrigues, Inês Tello
    O objetivo deste trabalho foi analisar os fatores que influenciam a compreensão leitora nas pessoas com Trissomia 21. Revisão de escopo elaborada de acordo com as diretrizes da Prefered Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses. A pesquisa foi realizada nas bases de dados PubMed Central, LILACS, SciELO e via EBSCOHost. Os registos foram analisados por dois investigadores independentes. Os descritores utilizados foram: síndrome de Down e Reading combinados com termos de linguagem natural e operadores booleanos. O nível de evidência foi realizado segundo a classificação de Oxford Centre for EvidenceBased Medicine, e a qualidade metodológica através do Methodological Index for Non-Randomized Studies. A pesquisa resultou em um total de 637 estudos, dos quais sete foram incluídos. A qualidade metodológica dos estudos não comparativos variou entre baixa e média, enquanto a dos estudos comparativos, variou entre médio e alto risco de viés. A compreensão leitora encontra-se alterada nas pessoas com Trissomia 21. A compreensão auditiva foi o fator com mais impacto, existindo outros como a consciência fonológica, a memória de trabalho, a leitura isolada e o vocabulário. Os fatores que demonstram influência na compreensão leitora são heterogéneos, mas devem ser considerados para uma intervenção adequada.
    2025-07-07Journal article Open access Show more
  • Coronary septic embolism presenting as acute myocardial infarction. A case report of a singular manifestation of infective endocarditis
    Publication . Carvalho, Mariana Ferreira; Gonçalves, Carolina; Santos, Beatriz Saldanha; Morais, João; Søholm, Helle; Galyavich, Albert; Rroku, Andi; Luo, Elton
    Background Acute ST-elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI) complicated by infective endocarditis (IE) presents a unique challenge in clinical management, especially when associated with septic embolism leading to coronary artery occlusion. Case summary The current clinical report describes the case of a 72-year-old male with a history of arterial hypertension, dyslipidaemia, and severe obstructive sleep apnea. The patient presented with anterior STEMI due to an embolic occlusion in the left anterior descending (LAD) artery, secondary to IE. Coronary angiography revealed embolic occlusion at the LAD origin, and balloon angioplasty without stent placement was performed, considering the embolic and infectious nature of the occlusion. Despite targeted interventions, including broad-spectrum antibiotics and support for cardiogenic shock, the patient's condition deteriorated, leading to cardiac arrest and subsequent death on the fourth day of hospitalization. Conclusion This case emphasizes the critical need for adapting STEMI management in the presence of IE. It highlights the importance of considering IE in STEMI differential diagnosis and adjusting intervention strategies accordingly.
    2025-01-29Journal article Open access Show more
  • Curae de Mim (Care for Me): A Personalized Alzheimer’s Care Nursing Intervention for Informal Caregivers
    Publication . Afonso, Catarina Inês Costa; Madeira, Ana Spínola; Reis, Alcinda; Gomes, João
    Background: Informal caregivers of individuals with Alzheimer’s disease often experience high levels of emotional, physical, and psychological burden. Personalized nursing interventions are essential to support these caregivers and promote their well-being. Objectives: The objective of this study was to implement and evaluate a personalized psychoeducational intervention—Curae de Mim (Care for Me)—designed to reduce caregivers’ burden and enhance the emotional resilience among informal caregivers for people with Alzheimer’s disease. Methods: A mixed-methods study was conducted with 14 informal caregivers in a Portuguese community healthcare setting. The intervention consisted of six weekly group sessions guided by a mental health nurse, using cognitive–behavioral and recovery-oriented approaches. Results: After the intervention, the caregivers’ burden scores decreased significantly. The mean burden score dropped from 78 to 50. The thematic analysis revealed two key outcomes: emotional empowerment through peer interactions and reframing of the caregiver’s role through knowledge and self-care. Conclusions: This program proved effective in reducing caregivers’ burden and promoting adaptive coping. The integration of narrative reflection and specialized nursing care contributed to improved mental health outcomes.
    2025-06-25Journal article Open access Show more
  • Designing a mobile app to promote healthy behaviors and prevent obesity: analysis of adolescents’ preferences
    Publication . Frontini, R.; Sousa, P.; Dixe, M. A.; Ferreira, R.; Figueiredo, M. C.
    To ensure that adolescents adhere to programmes promoting healthy behaviors, these programmes must be appealing and interesting. This study aims to characterize and assess the devices, operating system and type of mobile apps frequently used by adolescents; understand the features that mHealth apps should have to be appealing; comprehend the facilitators and barriers for adolescents to use mHealth apps. The sample comprised 165 adolescents (12–18 years) from the main population, recruited in 2018. Most participants used smartphones and the Android system. Food and physical activity suggestions were considered the most important features for an mHealth app. 62.6% had never tried an mHealth app. For those who had tried one, 26.0% stated it was to improve health status/lifestyle. Their favorite feature was physical exercise tips/plans (41.8%). Adolescents pointed out that the reasons that made them keep using the app were utility and interest (35.7%). Regarding possible barriers, 48.4% reported a lack of a senseof need/practical utility, and 18.8% considered notifications as their least favorite feature. Lack of interest was pointed out for 38.2% as the main reason for stopping use. Results provide practical information for the planning, design, and implementation of future mHealth apps for the promotion of healthy behaviors–an important implication for future research in this area.
    2020-04Journal article Restricted access Show more
  • Development and usability of VRainSUD’s cognitive training virtual reality platform for substance use disorders
    Publication . Caetano, Tânia; Pinho, Maria Salomé; Freire, Hugo; Mota, Dany; Ramadas, Eduardo; Lopes,Jessica; Freire-Santos, Filipa; Dixe, Maria dos Anjos
    Cognitive deficits have been shown to increase the likelihood of relapse in individuals with substance use disorders (SUD). As such, cognitive training programs are important interventions for this population. In this study, we describe the development and test the usability of a virtual reality (VR)-based cognitive training program for individuals with SUD – VRainSUD. A total of 17 patients receiving inpatient treatment for SUD at an Addiction Treatment Center agreed to participate in the study. Participants completed 9 tasks designed to test the platform’s usability. The key performance indicators (e.g., time to complete the task) as well as any relevant observations were recorded. Finally, each participant completed a brief survey and the Post-Study System Usability Questionnaire (PSSUQ). VRainSUD was considered easy and pleasant to use but additional instructions were required on certain cognitive training tasks. The total PSSUQ score confirmed an overall high level of satisfaction concerning the platform’s usability (2.72 ± 1.92). Among the three subscales, system usefulness presented the most satisfactory score (1.76 ± 1.37) and information quality presented the least satisfactory score (3.00 ± 1.95). Changes were made to the platform to improve the on-screen information and instructions. Overall, participants showed interest in integrating VRainSUD into their standard treatment. Despite limited prior VR experience, they quickly adapted to the controllers and navigation. VRainSUD can be a potentially successful add-on to SUD treatment.
    2025-05-07Journal article Open access Show more