The aim of this study is to investigate family physicians’ approaches to hoarseness (dysphonia), clinical decision-making, patients’ perceptions, and structural barriers in the healthcare system using qualitative methods.

Qualitative design was used. Research was reported in line with COREQ (32 items) and EQUATOR (SRQR) guidelines. Semi-structured telephone/internet interviews were conducted with 17 family physicians working primary care in Türkiye. Participants purposively sampled interviews were audio-recorded, transcribed, coded using thematic analysis, and developed themes.

The analysis revealed four main themes: clinical assessment and differential diagnosis, referral criteria and specialist referrals, patient perception and knowledge level, health system and structural barriers. Demographic analysis determined that veteran doctors were more sensitive to malignancy, junior doctors highlighted systemic deficits, female doctors highlighted patient behavior, while doctors who practiced in rural areas highlighted structural issues.

Family physicians’ handling of hoarseness is not only dependent on clinical data but also on patient opinion and the health system’s conditions. For productive primary care management of hoarseness, it is recommended to (i) design guidelines and training for family physicians, (ii) increase patient education on voice hygiene and voice health, and (iii) establish health policies enhancing specialist accessibility.

Cardiovascular disease (CVD) is the leading cause of death worldwide. Research suggests people with Mental Health Disorders (MHDs) have increased CVD risk. However, knowledge gaps exist regarding CVD risk management for general practice patients with MHD, and interventions that might improve CVD prevention. This study examined the perspectives of general practice professionals in Ireland on cardiovascular risk assessment for patients already diagnosed with MHD and to describe current approaches to identifying this population using the Mental Health Finder (MHF) tool.

An embedded mixed-methods design was adopted, guided by constructivist grounded theory and the Social Ecological Model. Aggregated anonymised data, including availability and use of the MHF tool, were collected from five practices and analysed in SPSS. In-depth semi-structured interviews were conducted with 12 general practitioners and three practice nurses. Qualitative data were analysed using Braun and Clarke’s Reflexive Thematic Analysis.

Of the five practices, two had access to the MHF tool. These reported combined prevalence of 18.7% for MHD compared with 0.5–11.5% in practices without the tool, highlighting the importance of systematic identification. Qualitative analysis generated four themes: (1) prevalence of MHD in general practice, (2) association between MHD and CVD risk, (3) CVD risk management in patients with MHD, and (4) holistic care.

CVD risk assessment for patients with MHD in general practice is largely opportunistic and unstructured. Participants highlighted the need for structured frameworks, protocols, and enhanced supports to enable systematic cardiovascular assessment and management in this population.

Schools are key environments for promoting healthy eating habits, food knowledge and skills, but the systematic implementation of food education is usually lacking. This study aimed to examine the perceptions of primary school headteachers and municipal education directors regarding the key factors influencing the implementation of food education in Finnish primary schools.

In this qualitative study, the participants took part in research interviews. The interviews were transcribed verbatim and analysed using theory-driven content analysis to identify common categories.

Semi-structured one-on-one interviews were conducted.

The interviews involved twelve headteachers and five education directors, all of whom had prior experience in implementing food education through the Tasty School project, which supported primary schools in delivering food education.

In the analysis, the key factors influencing implementation of food education were categorised according to an ecological framework into two levels: the macro level and the school community level, which represents the micro-level interactions within the school’s physical and social environment. The results indicate that successful food education requires a school culture that prioritises it − incorporating curriculum integration, dedicating adequate planning time and ensuring sufficient resources.

Primary schools would benefit from a school culture that prioritises food education. This includes setting objectives in the curriculum, allocating sufficient time for planning, ensuring resources and creating supportive learning environments. While headteachers play a central role, support from municipal officials is essential for sustained implementation. These findings provide insights to support the implementation of food education at both school and municipal levels.

To investigate how to recruit patients rigosrously in general practice for trials based on symptoms as predefined inclusion criteria rather than a well-defined diagnosis. We used persistent physical symptoms (PPS) as a target condition.

Conducting randomized controlled trials (RCTs) in general practice is crucial for evidence-based decision-making and treatment in frontline healthcare. However, recruitment is often challenged in general practice because many patients have vaguely defined conditions, such as PPS.

We used qualitative semi-structured interviews to explore the perspectives of general practitioners (GPs) on different recruitment scenarios, while paying particular attention to the logistics and feasibility in routine care. A total of 11 GPs from seven clinics were strategically recruited. The GPs were presented with one recruitment scenario (pre-consultation screening) and encouraged to suggest other scenarios. We conducted a thematic framework analysis of the interview material.

To ensure valid intervention research, one predefined scenario was discussed, and three additional scenarios were co-created during the interviews: (1) opportunistic screening, (2) pre-consultation screening, (3) audit (retrospective and prospective), and (4) random sample screening of the practice population. These scenarios differ with respect to logistical complexity, comparability to daily clinical practice, and entailed selection bias. Every scenario requires individual adaptation and implementation support to be feasible in routine care in general practice. The present study provides approaches for rigorous primary care research based on RCTs for frequent and vaguely defined conditions, but it also highlights a need to develop research methods better suited to frontline healthcare interventions.

Artificial intelligence ambient voice technology (AI AVT), which uses a large language model to summarise clinical dialogue into electronic notes and GP letters, has emerged. We conducted a mixed-methods, pre–post (manual versus AVT-assisted documentation) service development pilot to evaluate its use in a child and adolescent out-patient clinic.

The median administration time per clinical encounter reduced from 27 min (manual) to 10 min (AVT) (P < 0.001). On average, AVT-assisted documentation required only 45% of the time for manual documentation (P < 0.001). Clinician-rated accuracy, quality and efficiency were significantly higher for AVT-assisted documentation. Patient acceptance was high, with 97% reporting that clinicians were not distracted by note-taking. Thematic analysis from focus groups identified positive effects derived from AVT (improved productivity and clinician well-being), but was balanced by barriers (technological limitations).

Integration of AVT into clinical workflows can significantly alleviate documentation burden, reduce cognitive strain and free up clinical capacity.

This study examined the health-related issues and proposed solutions among residents who returned or migrated to Namie in Fukushima Prefecture, Japan, after the evacuation order following the Fukushima Daiichi Nuclear Power Plant (FDNPP) accident was lifted. Moreover, this study assessed vulnerable groups comprising individuals who faced difficulties obtaining health services.

This study conducted semi-structured interviews with 16 participants who lived or worked in Namie. A thematic analysis was employed to analyze the interview data.

The results revealed four themes regarding prioritized health-related issues: poor lifestyle habits cause disease, mental health, inadequate medical and nursing care systems, and social isolation and issues with social relationships in the community. Likewise, four themes were identified for solutions: measures to improve lifestyle habits, enhancement of medical and nursing services, revitalization of community and social relationships, and provision of personalized care and support. Additionally, seven groups that had difficulty accessing health services were identified.

The findings suggest that comprehensive individual support is required during the long-term recovery phase after nuclear disasters to meet the health needs of vulnerable groups.

Non-suicidal self-injury (NSSI) displays an alarmingly high prevalence rate among university students, placing them at high risk for adverse long-term outcomes, including suicide.

This study aimed to achieve a better understanding of factors contributing to NSSI in university student populations by examining reasons for NSSI and histories of stressful events and coping strategies.

A total of 185 university students with a lifetime history of NSSI were assessed for depressive symptoms and NSSI characteristics. They completed three questionnaires on NSSI reasons, stressful events and coping strategies during childhood and adolescence. Each questionnaire included an ‘others’ option combined with an open-ended response box. After descriptive analysis of the closed questions, these open-ended responses were qualitatively categorised and analysed as predictors of depression severity and NSSI continuation from adolescence into adulthood.

Qualitative analysis identified eight, five and ten categories from the open-ended responses for NSSI reasons, stressful events and coping strategies, respectively, with substantial to almost perfect interrater reliability. Two qualitative reason categories, one stressful event category and two coping strategy categories significantly predicted depression severity (β = 0.21–0.23). Participants reporting events in the stressful events category ‘Traumatisation and experiences of violence’ were three times more likely to continue NSSI into adulthood (f 2 = 0.07).

This study demonstrates the value of mixed-methods approaches. Stable qualitative categories highlight the need to capture individual variations in NSSI-related factors. It emphasises trauma-related stressors due to their influence on depression severity and persistence of NSSI into adulthood.

To explore factors shaping social prescribing (SP) link workers (LWs) experiences of their job, and how they influence decisions about whether or not to leave it.

LWs support healthcare delivery by listening to patients’ non-medical concerns and social or relational difficulties, connecting them to ‘community assets’ (groups, organizations, charities) when relevant to help. LWs try to assist people with often complex emotional and/or social issues. This can affect how they feel in their job.

As part of a mixed methods project on LW retention, a qualitative study was conducted. It involved 20 LWs, purposively selected from respondents to a questionnaire; variation in the sample was sought in terms of self-efficacy in the role, length of time in it, intention to leave or not, employing organization, where they worked in the UK and gender. Semi-structured interviews, conducted via Microsoft Teams, were audio-recorded and transcribed verbatim. Prior to interviews, we asked participants to take photographs of: a typical part of their working day; something that gave them confidence in their role; an unexpected part of their role. These photographs were discussed at the start of the interview. Thematic analysis was used to interpret data (the computer programme NVIVO supported this); this involved coding and clustering codes to develop analytical themes.

We produced four themes from the data; 1) Disconnection through place and space: straddling different organizational spheres; 2) Delivery ambiguity: vagueness around the link worker role; 3) Job misalignment and realignment: navigating identity and boundaries; 4) Clouded by instability: uncertainty around career advancement and sustainability. This led to the development of an overarching theme of LWs inhabiting a liminal space as they entered and undertook the role. Findings highlight the importance of training, supervision and other support to ensure LWs do not experience a prolonged liminal state.