Social prescribing (SP) is an approach that promotes the use of local non-clinical activities by people. The referral is usually made by primary health-care professionals, in a process wherein local providers play a pivotal role. The main objective of this study was to identify domains of intervention and evidence about the effectiveness of SP programs regarding health-related outcomes. A systematic literature review was carried out following Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) guidelines. A literature search was conducted in PubMed, CINHAL, and SCOPUS. Inclusion criteria of the reviewed papers were as follows: (i) effectiveness studies of interventions designated as SP or interventions entailing SP conceptual components; (ii) interventions with adults. Quality assessment was performed with the Cochrane tool for assessing risk of bias in randomized trials; an assessment tool developed by the US National Heart, Lung and Blood Institute was applied to observational studies. Overall, 13 articles were included for analysis, with a total of 4603 patients. Although three studies comprised a control group, only two followed a randomized controlled trials (RCT) design. Nine principal domains of intervention within SP were identified, with three categories of outcome measures: Physical and psychological wellbeing; Health behaviors and self-efficacy; and Health care resources end economic evaluation. SP is an emergent and promising health-care intervention, and it has been used to promote different health behaviors. Evidence of SP effectiveness on patient’s health and wellbeing is not strong. Further research is needed for understanding how SP can be applied efficiently.

The interview is essential and the most dominant method for data collection in phenomenological health research. Since several practical guides and best practice examples can be found in the scientific literature, the present review aims to map the nature and use of interviews in phenomenological healthcare research, focusing on their application, characteristics, and theoretical underpinnings. This review adhered to Joanna Briggs Institute (JBI) methodology for scoping reviews and utilised the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic reviews and Meta-Analyses extension for Scoping Reviews (PRISMA-ScR) checklist. Eligible studies included those with a phenomenological or phenomenological-oriented approach employing interviews for data gathering. A systematic search across CINAHL, MEDLINE, Psychology and Behavioral Sciences Collection, and MedicLatina identified 125 studies published by December 2022. Data were extracted and analysed using calibrated forms, followed by a narrative synthesis and tabular presentation. Findings reveal a predominance of hermeneutic or interpretive phenomenology, with most studies employing in-depth, semi-structured, or unstructured interviews to explore topics such as chronic health conditions, caregiving, mental health, and professional experiences. Patients were the most frequently studied population (55%), with nurses and midwives accounting for 82% of first authors. Despite the alignment with phenomenological goals, significant gaps were identified: 60% of studies lacked explicit theoretical frameworks for interviews, raising concerns about methodological rigour and coherence. Reflexive practices, participant validation, and triangulation were employed to address interviewer subjectivity and enhance credibility. However, inconsistencies in applying phenomenological principles were evident, with some studies mixing methods or deviating from foundational philosophies. This review underscores the transformative potential of phenomenological interviews in healthcare research while highlighting significant methodological gaps. Future studies should prioritise integrating theoretical foundations and rigorously applying phenomenological principles to enhance the exploration of lived experience and advance the field. Based on authors and more consensual practices, some practical recommendations for conducting phenomenological interviews are presented.

Background: Nurses’ mental health has become an increasingly pressing concern worldwide because of its impact on health systems, patient health outcomes, job satisfaction, and workforce attrition. Aim: This study updates and compares findings from a national survey initially conducted in 2017 to assess the mental health of Portuguese nurses and examine associations with socio-professional variables. Methods: This cross-sectional observational study was expanded to include 1894 nurses working in hospitals, primary care, and other settings. The General Health Questionnaire-24 was used to assess mental health perception. Results: Results indicate a substantial decline in mental health perceptions across all indicators compared with 2017. Participants reported more negative assessments of overall mental health, with notable increases in somatic symptoms, anxiety and insomnia (the most affected domain), social dysfunction, and severe depression. Moreover, participants reported increased use of psychotropic drugs. Protective factors identified include specialised training, increased time off (particularly weekends), and engagement in sports or hobbies. Conclusions: Being the largest group in Portugal’s healthcare workforce, and reflected globally, nurses play a pivotal role in the health system. Their mental well-being directly impacts patient care quality and safety. These findings support the implementation of targeted strategies to safeguard nurses’ mental health and enhance healthcare delivery.

Objective: To understand the implications of the family in the experience of care provided by the multiprofessional team to elderly residents of Therapeutic Residential Services. Method: Qualitative research based on social phenomenology. Phenomenological interviews were conducted with 15 professionals from multiprofessional teams of Therapeutic Residential Services in a municipality in São Paulo state. Results: Experiences in caring for the elderly in Therapeutic Residential Services and their implications for families characterized the “reasons why” in the category “The family in the experience of multiprofessional teams caring for elderly residents of Therapeutic Residential Services.” These deinstitutionalization devices value living, where residents can strengthen family ties and establish new relationships. Future motivation is described in the category “Intentions of the multiprofessional team towards the family in the care experience.” Conclusion: Deinstitutionalization enables elderly residents to rebuild emotional bonds, with the team assuming the role of emotional reference in the biographical journey of their life world. The expectation of articulating care with the presence of family members aims to improve the experiences of elderly residents.