Assessing sense of coherence as an element of primary‐focused health services in schools for children and adolescents with complex health care needs

Abstract

Aim: This study aimed to clarify if sense of coherence (SOC) could be used as an element of primary-focused health services in schools. Background:The United Arab Emirates (UAE) is striving to develop a high-quality, primary-focused health care system. School health care services are well established in the UAE but have not yet been fully used to play a key role in this development.Methods: This is a cross-sectional survey study to explore adolescents' SOC and their behavioural, psychosocial and clinical outcomes.Results: A total of 408 adolescents participated in this study. Compared with others, adolescents with higher SOC had better adherence to treatment, fewer visits to the school nurse, better self-efficacy, fewer hyperactivity problems, fewer emotional problems, more prosocial behaviours and fewer conduct problems. Conclusion: Implementing interventions that improve SOC may support improvedwell-being among adolescents. The findings also support the use of SOC and salutogenesis as a framework to reinforce primary health care services for this population.Implications for Nursing Management: Health service managers can utilize SOC as a framework to focus service on illness prevention and health promotion, they should collaborate with education authorities to include more health-related topics as part of school curricula to promote students' SOC and, finally, they should assess and build awareness of SOC and associated tools among school nurses and primary health care providers.

Prevalence of Undiagnosed Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) Symptoms in the Young Adult Population of the United Arab Emirates: A National Cross-Sectional Study

“…Over the last few years, there has been concentrated efforts on the part of the UAE government to improve the healthcare system, including mental health care services., such as integrating mental health into primary healthcare settings and a focus on providing specialist mental health services [ 17 , 18 ]. The UAE has also established school nursing clinics with the aim to promote the health of school-aged children through early screening and prevention of illness [ 19 ]. Nonetheless, there is evidence to suggest that further efforts are required including strengthen the care services provided in these school clinics, and addressing the persistent shortage of mental health professionals and enduring cultural attitudes towards mental health that can impacting help-seeking behaviour.…”

Experience of Health Professionals in Caring for Patients With Chest Trauma

“…1,2 Although health care investments in underdeveloped countries have been disease focused, some essential health care services, such as primary and emergency prehospital medical care services, have long been neglected. [1][2][3] The World Health Organization has recognized strengthening prehospital emergency services as a vital action area. Prehospital care has been shown to reduce mortality and disability in emergencies such as trauma, unplanned delivery, heart attacks, and strokes.…”

“…In addition, inadequate prehospital care and lack of transport were among the leading causes of early deaths from these conditions 1,2 . Although health care investments in underdeveloped countries have been disease focused, some essential health care services, such as primary and emergency prehospital medical care services, have long been neglected 1-3 …”