The aim of this study was to describe perceptions of parenthood education among midwives and obstetricians in charge of antenatal care in Sweden. Focus group interviews of 25 obstetricians and midwives were conducted. Data were analyzed with a phenomenographic approach. Five main categories emerged: aim of the parenthood education, content and expectations, implementation, support to group leaders, and strategies for the future. There is a strong belief in parenthood education, and the overall aim was considered to be support in the transition to parenthood. Contents should focus on awareness of the expected child, confidence in the biological processes, and the changes of roles. Pedagogies training, cost effectiveness, development, and the need to reach target groups were emphasized.

No abstract

Despite living with a gluten-free diet, Swedish women with celiac disease report a higher rate of gastrointestinal symptoms than women without the disease. This study was designed to assess the impact of active patient education on gastrointestinal symptoms in women with a gluten-free diet. A total of 106 Swedish women, aged 20 years or older, with celiac disease on a gluten-free diet for a minimum of 5 years took part in a randomized controlled trial. The intervention group (n = 54) underwent a 10-session educational program, "Celiac School," based on problem-based learning. Controls (n = 52) were sent information regarding celiac disease at home. The outcome measure was gastrointestinal symptoms at 10 weeks and 6 months after intervention, assessed with the Gastrointestinal Symptom Rating Scale. After 10 weeks of "Celiac School," the participating women reported significant improvements that remained 6 months later (p = .029). The controls did not improve significantly. A comparison of the development of scores, from baseline to 10 weeks, could not demonstrate a significant difference in the overall index between the 2 groups but showed a significant improvement concerning 1 of its components, namely the index reflecting Abdominal Pain (p = .007). Intervention methods should be refined to reach an even more pronounced effect.

Readjustment after an event of coronary heart disease (CHD) is defined to comprise cognitive, instrumental and affective components. The cognitive dimension refers to understanding of the disease. Twenty‐three patients (<60 years) with CHD were interviewed about the nature of their disease and encouraged to use their own words. The study was conducted 1 year after the event of myocardial infarction (MI) and some patients had also been revascularized. The interviews were transcribed in extenso and analysed according to the phenomenographic approach. The main finding was the great variation of conceptions revealed. Six different conceptions were found concerning CHD. Some patients comprehended MI by involving (A) blood and vessels, (B) either blood or vessel or referred to (C) risk factors/symptoms. Angina pectoris was expressed as (A) insufficient heart capacity, (B) atherosclerosis/contracted vessel or as (C) symptoms. Several patients found it difficult to expand their answers and some expressed misconceptions about the course of events. Patients' pre‐existing knowledge and their way of reasoning about central phenomena related to their disease should be taken into consideration in patient education and is also applicable in individual encounters with patients.

Patient education using problem-based learning promotes self-management in coeliac disease by improving the well-being of patients who have been struggling with the gluten-free diet for years.