Projects / Programmes
Research In The Field Of Public Health
January 1, 2019
- December 31, 2024
| Code |
Science |
Field |
Subfield |
| 3.08.00 |
Medical sciences |
Public health (occupational safety) |
|
| Code |
Science |
Field |
| B680 |
Biomedical sciences |
Public health, epidemiology |
| Code |
Science |
Field |
| 3.03 |
Medical and Health Sciences |
Health sciences |
communicable diseases, determinants of health, prevention, suicide, non-communicable diseases, risk factors, epidemiology, anthropology, health informatics, integrated healthcare, chronic diseases, multimorbidity, family medicine , quality of care, rehabilitation
Data for the last 5 years (citations for the last 10 years) on
May 29, 2023;
A3 for period
2017-2021
| Database |
Linked records |
Citations |
Pure citations |
Average pure citations |
| WoS |
929 |
23,923 |
22,738 |
24.48 |
| Scopus |
985 |
30,180 |
28,820 |
29.26 |
Researchers (28)
Organisations (3)
Abstract
We will investigate the impact of socio-economic and environmental determinants on the incidence of diseases. The factors that increase the vaccination coverage will be studied, seroprevalence studies done to determine level of protection against vaccine preventable diseases and adverse events investigated. We will study sexually transmitted infections and sexual behaviour and healthcare-associated infections. We will study the impact of unexpected events on public health and develop approaches to optimized stakeholder response.
We will focus on the influence of selected determinants on different outcomes in mental health, especially factors characteristic for modern societies. Furthermore we will monitor trends and characteristics of selected mental public health problems such as depression and suicide.
The burden of contact with the health service, particularly hospitalizations, will be examined in the most common CNDs. Considering the importance of patient-centered management of chronic disease, we will examine the patient's needs, wishes and expectations as well as the views, experiences and care burden of their informal care providers. At the same time, we will examine both, factors that encourage patients to (regular) implementation of effective self-care and health-related quality of life. Data will be collected through targeted studies (cross-sectional, prospective) or obtained from databases for which the NIPH is authorized. We will use quantitative and, to a lesser extent, a qualitative research methodology for data analysis.
Planning of health services is linked to the population needs and to the new trends in the sensitivity of the population to new determinants and this represents a particular challenge. We will assess dynamically health needs of the population, based on epidemiological and demographic transitions. Apart from those we will need to take into account also newer concepts, such as frailty. In our programme we will develop an approach to this complexity in Slovenia.
In the field of family medicine we will evaluate a holistic model of patient treatment and approaches in the prevention and management of chronic non-communicable diseases and addiction diseases, include genetics and systematically research communication, patient confidence, empathic orientation and attitudes to professionalism, the health consequences of exposure to violence, lifestyle, the needs of patients and the quality of health care.
We will check the attitudes of people with disabilities towards various technologies and the impact of those technologies on better functioning (reduction of phantom pain, improvement of higher cognitive functions, gait, independence), as well as develop remote comprehensive rehabilitation services . We will continue developing functional assessment tools based on the International Classification of Functioning, Disability and Health, and introducing those tools into clinical practice. We will also focus on quality-of-life assessment for people with disabilities.
Significance for science
Research in the field of communicable diseases will form the basis for the development of new approaches to increase health literacy of the population, reducing inequality and improving the health of vulnerable groups, with special emphasis on the aging population. The research will offer original empirical data as the basis for the preparation of foundations and rules for the establishment of the system/structure at the national level, which are necessary for a better operation of the system. The results will also be important in the international context. In this sense, research will also have a scientific originality of results.
There is only a few studies focused on the influence of determinants characteristic for modern societies on mental health. On the other hand it is exactly those determinants that we need to get insight to due to the rapid tehnological development. Results of those studies can help understand under which circumstances new technologies can act as a risk factor for mental health and under which circumstances as protective factors. Follow up of trends and characteristics of mental health disorders and suicidal behaviour can scale up the state of the art in the filed of public mental helath problems in particular so if socioeconomic, health and other determinants are taken into account.
Researching the CND is crucial in the pursuit of better public health. Management strategies and clinical guidelines should be based on the latest scientific evidence and/or best practices. At the same time, with the aim of transferring scientific knowledge into daily public health and clinical practice, the latest scientific evidence must be passed on to health professionals, decision makers, as well as to health care service providers and the general public.
We will study human health on the basis of biological and cultural parameters. These studies will be upgraded and continued using the biomedical, socio-cultural and anthropo-genetic approaches in the applied program. One of the first next research steps will be the biocultural aspect of nutrition and the impact on health. We will continue to analyze the correlation with the health status of various morphological and physiological biomarkers. We will also monitor phenomena such as hypertension, obesity, altered metabolic profile (metabolic syndrome). We intend to continue researching the aging process. Polymorphism of candidate genes will be carried out. We will also make connections with an international network of population comparisons.
There are still many gaps in the area of population research. In particular, we need to produce a dynamic population health needs assessment, which will prospectively take into account the currently ongoing changes. The intertwining of the two transitions, epidemiological and demographic and the appearance of new concepts, which include the interaction of several determinants, are more complex, hence we will need to develop new methodologies. In this way, we will contribute to the scientific base for the development of health policy.
The contribution of research in the field of healthcare informatization is multifaceted. The multidimensional background and goals of informatization of the Slovenian healthcare system can provide a good starting point for further research. The promotion of research in the field of healthcare informatization can significantly contribute to the development of sciences, which are largely intertwined in healthcare, and form the basis for diverse scientific approaches for research and development in the field of public health in Slovenia.
Research in the field of family medicine significantly contributes to the development of science through the various fields researched. This is not exclusively an applied aspect of clinical research, qualitative research and epidemiological studies showing the use of medical service and its rationality within the healthcare system, but also the cognitive meaning of resea
Significance for the country
The research will be of particular importance to society as a whole in terms of greater coordination of stakeholder engagement and optimization of the efforts of individual departments in directly protecting the health of residents against communicable diseases, sexually transmitted infections, healthcare-associated infections and in the event of cross-der threats and other events that pose a risk to the health of the population. This will also contribute to the international strategy of strengthening interdisciplinary integration and strengthening international cooperation in the search for improvements in the field of preparedness and response to health threats.
Recommendations to the residents are important on the basis of anthropological research. Therefore, in the economy, they are interested in the plans, the course and the outcome of our research, because they have in the Selška valley, which is the specific research area in the factories employed by the local population.
Mental health can be regarded as social capital since only an individual of good mental health can contribute to social. Understanding and insight into the relationship between modern technologies and mental health has great aplicative, socio-economic and cultural value as it presents a solid basis for preventive and promotion programs in the field of mental health of children and adolescents. In turn this can lead to narrowing the gap in health inequalities. Understanding the characteristics and trends of most prevalent public mental health problems is the foundation for the development of preventive programs and guidelines which in turn can contribute to a more healthy society.
The epidemiological burden of the CND constitutes an important and growing global public health problem that undermines social and economic development and affects the increase in health inequalities between countries and among population groups. Most (premature) deaths due to CND can be largely avoided by joint organized efforts of several social sectors through strengthening health policies in sectors outside health care that deal with common risk factors, such as the use of tobacco, unhealthy diet, physical inactivity and harmful consumption of alcohol, and more effective and equitable responses of health care systems to the needs of patients with CND.
Development of the health system in Slovenia needs to be supported by more complex analyses of health needs, which will mean a qualitative improvement in health policy development.
Based on credible economic, administrative and clinical data, it would be easier to plan and manage healthcare institutions and the healthcare system in general.
Family medicine is the core of primary healthcare activities, enabling direct access to an entire population of people, regardless of the nature of their problems. With a proper preventive function, the early detection of diseases, a primary care approach, management of chronic patients and palliative care, home-based treatment and timely integration of other professionals and levels of medical activity, it represents the most efficient and rational form of organisation.
The results from this research will be relevant to both the healthcare, payers of healthcare and communication industries. From a healthcare perspective, the outcomes could result in a practice-changing technology and methods for using real-world mobility information for clinical decision-making, development of telerehabilitation programs led and supervised by highly experienced tertiary team of experts. Rehabilitation programs will be longer and more patients may have access to them. The final result will be greater independence and better quality of life of included patients.
Most important scientific results
Interim report
Most important socioeconomically and culturally relevant results
Interim report
