Dimitrios Vavoulas

Mr. Dimitrios Vavoulas

orcid

Research Focus & Metrics

Academic Career Length

2Years (2025-Present)

(Calculated once Scilit publication data is synced: current year − year of first publication + 1)

Representative Publications

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23 January 2026 in Healthcare
Verified
Journal Article
Open access
PDF file
Antonios ChristodoulakisAntonios Christodoulakis
Antonios Christodoulakis
ASAnna Sergaki
Anna Sergaki
DVDimitrios Vavoulas
Dimitrios Vavoulas
Izolde BouloukakiIzolde Bouloukaki
Izolde Bouloukaki
Michail Zografakis-SfakianakisMichail Zografakis-Sfakianakis
Michail Zografakis-Sfakianakis
ITIoanna Tsiligianni
Ioanna Tsiligianni
Background/Objectives: Primary health care (PHC) is the cornerstone of any high-quality healthcare system. For PHC to work well, healthcare professionals need to be skilled in critical thinking, self-reflection, and patient-centered care. However, few studies have explored the potential interplays between these factors. Therefore, this cross-sectional study evaluated the critical thinking disposition and training needs of PHC professionals, alongside patient experiences and satisfaction with PHC services. Methods: The study involved 54 PHC professionals and 100 patients from sixteen PHC facilities in Crete, Greece. Professionals completed the Critical Thinking Disposition Scale (CTDS) and Training Needs Assessment (TNA) questionnaires, while patients filled out the Quality-of-Life Instrument of Chronic Conditions in Primary Health Care (QUALICOPC) questionnaire. Results: Our findings indicated that PHC professionals exhibited high critical thinking levels (CTDS, mean score of 46.46 ± 4.24). However, TNA scores suggested moderate training needs, particularly in relationships/investigations [median: 0.50 (0, 1.50)], communication/patient-centered [median: 0.30 (0, 1.1)], and flexibility and application of knowledge [median: 0.40 (0, 1.0)]. Nevertheless, no significant correlation was found between CTDS and TNA (ρ = 0.08, p > 0.05). Patients mostly rated their health as poor (40%), and 26% lacked a family physician. Although patients were highly satisfied with communication and patient-centered care (>95% reporting positive experiences), continuity and empowerment had room for improvement. Only 37% felt their GP knew their living conditions, and 26% lacked a personal physician. Patients with chronic conditions reported significantly different experiences. Specifically, patients with chronic conditions had better continuity of care (84% vs. 59%, p = 0.01) and more comprehensive care (70% vs. 43%, p = 0.01) compared to controls. Conclusions: Our findings suggest that targeted training is needed for PHC professionals to address skill gaps. These initial findings could guide the creation of customized professional development initiatives and point to areas where PHC services could be structurally improved. Additional studies, including longitudinal ones, are required to further validate these associations.

15 May 2026 in Nutrients
Verified
Journal Article
Open access
PDF file
Sevasti PerakiSevasti Peraki
Sevasti Peraki
Izolde BouloukakiIzolde Bouloukaki
Izolde Bouloukaki
Antonios ChristodoulakisAntonios Christodoulakis
Antonios Christodoulakis
DVDimitrios Vavoulas
Dimitrios Vavoulas
ITIoanna Tsiligianni
Ioanna Tsiligianni
Background/Objectives: Adherence to the Mediterranean diet (MD) is associated with reduced risk of non-communicable diseases but has declined among children, even in traditionally high-adherence settings such as Greece. As parental lifestyle behaviors strongly influence children’s dietary patterns, this study examined the associations between parental lifestyle factors and children’s MD adherence in Crete, Greece. Methods: A total of 760 parent–child dyads participated in this cross-sectional study. Children’s adherence to the MD was assessed using the KIDMED index. Parents completed validated instruments, including the MEDAS (MD adherence), IPAQ (physical activity), PSQI (sleep quality), and NLS (nutrition literacy), along with questions on dietary habits and screen time behaviors. ANOVA/Kruskal–Wallis tests and multivariable linear regression identified predictors of KIDMED scores. Results: Mean KIDMED score was 5.95 ± 2.65; 32% achieved optimal adherence. Younger children showed higher adherence. Higher children’s adherence to MD was positively associated with parental MD adherence (β = 0.493), urban residence (β = 0.544), higher parental education (β = 0.493), consistent daily meal routines (breakfast and mid-morning and mid-afternoon snacks), higher water intake, and fresh juice consumption (all p < 0.05) were positively associated with parental MD adherence. Conversely, lower adherence was associated with parental age ≥ 45 years (β = 0.987), higher parental BMI (β = 0.072), consumption of sugar-sweetened (β = 0.390) or artificially sweetened beverages (β = 0.497), and weekend screen time ≥ 3 h/day (β = 0.383) (all p < 0.05). Conclusions: Children’s adherence to the MD is strongly associated with parental dietary behaviors and structured meal routines. These findings support family-focused interventions that emphasize parental dietary role modeling to counter declining MD adherence among Mediterranean youth.

12 January 2026 in Journal of Clinical Medicine
Verified
Journal Article
Open access
PDF file
Izolde BouloukakiIzolde Bouloukaki
Izolde Bouloukaki
Antonios ChristodoulakisAntonios Christodoulakis
Antonios Christodoulakis
Antonia Aravantinou KarlatouAntonia Aravantinou Karlatou
Antonia Aravantinou Karlatou
DVDimitrios Vavoulas
Dimitrios Vavoulas
Sevasti PerakiSevasti Peraki
Sevasti Peraki
ITIoanna Tsiligianni
Ioanna Tsiligianni
Background/Objectives: Frailty is a complex geriatric syndrome that requires a comprehensive evaluation. This approach should consider not only physical symptoms but also cognitive, psychological, functional, nutritional, and social aspects. Nutritional status is a critical and modifiable factor, making it a key area for intervention in the prevention and management of frailty. Therefore, a scoping review was conducted to determine the effectiveness of nutritional intervention in frail/pre-frail older adults. Methods: We adopted the PRISMA-Scoping approach, and we sought studies published in MEDLINE and Scopus databases. Results: We screened 3038 studies and finally we included a total of 19 studies. The interventions included nutritional education, counseling, and supplementation, most in combination with exercise. Nutritional interventions improved frailty status, physical performance, functional status, and quality of life in older adults. Conclusions: Consequently, this scoping review indicates that multifactorial interventions combining nutritional interventions with physical activity are clearly more effective than a single approach in improving the quality of life of older patients with frailty. These provisional findings may generate hypotheses for policymakers to consider multifaceted interventions for older patients with frailty.

9 December 2025
Verified
Report
Closed access
Izolde BouloukakiIzolde Bouloukaki
Izolde Bouloukaki
Antonios ChristodoulakisAntonios Christodoulakis
Antonios Christodoulakis
Antonia Aravantinou KarlatouAntonia Aravantinou Karlatou
Antonia Aravantinou Karlatou
DVDimitrios Vavoulas
Dimitrios Vavoulas
Sevasti PerakiSevasti Peraki
Sevasti Peraki
ITIoanna Tsiligianni
Ioanna Tsiligianni