1. Annual report 2024
  2. Research
  3. PROSAARU

PROSAARU

Health Promotion in Rural Areas

The Prosaaru group is a group that is made up of 20 members from different disciplines, 6 of whom are PhDs. The purpose of the Research Group is to study the characteristics and singularities that especially rural environments may have when it comes to promoting health and providing health care. This initiative is understood as an opportunity for different professionals to analyse the new challenges they face on a day-to-day basis, and also to offer them the possibility of participating in studies that can help improve health care for the population.

The development of new digital health tools will help us to expand the use of new behavioural change methodologies together with algorithms based on artificial intelligence to improve people's well-being and quality of life.

Group projects

  • Stay at the PRIME Center (Cardiff University). (EST-23/2). Jordi Gol i Gurina Primary Care Research Institute (IDIAPJGol). 2024-2025. IP: Encarna Sánchez Freire.
  • Convocatòria d'ajut econòmic complementari a estades i formació a centres de PRIME Centre (Cardiff University). (COM_EST-23/1). Jordi Gol i Gurina Primary Care Research Institute (IDIAPJGol). 2024-2025. IP: Encarna Sánchez Freire.
  • COVID-19, chronicity and primary prevention. (SENIOR-23/4). ICS - Catalan Institute of Health. 2024-2026. PI: Anna Ruíz Comellas.
  • Evaluation of the efficiency of proactive telemedicine vs. face-to-face visits for universal access and health prevention in a rural Primary Care team: randomized clinical trial. (PREDOC_INT-23/4). ICS - Catalan Institute of Health. 2024-2029. IP: Robert Panades Zafra.
  • Strategy to strengthen the PROSAARU research group in Central Catalonia. ICS - Catalan Institute of Health. 2023-2027. IP: Glòria Saüch Valmaña.
  • Social determinants of health. ICS - Catalan Institute of Health. 2023IP: Berta Rodoreda Pallàs.
  • Use of Artificial Intelligence as a diagnostic support tool for skin lesions in Primary Care. SEMFYC (SPANISH SOCIETY OF FAMILY MEDICINE. 2022-2024. IP: Anna Escalé Besa. -COVID-19. ICS - Catalan Institute of Health. 2022-2024. IP: Anna Ruíz Comellas.
  • Development of a model of comprehensive and integrated care for major depressive episodes in mild/moderate adults from the Primary Care of the Catalan Health System. (PREDOC_ECO-23/12). ICS - Catalan Institute of Health. 2023-2029. IP: Aïna Fuster Casanovas.
  • Short questionnaire validated and translated into Catalan from the "Questionnaire to assess healthcare professionals' perceptions of asynchronous telemedicine services: the Catalan version of the Health Optimum. ASSESS HEALTHCARE PROFESSIONALS. PI: Josep Vidal Alaball.
  • ULCERS: IA due to sores. PI: Josep Vidal Alaball.
  • COSTEMP AMASSA: Integrated care programme for people with chronic diseases and social vulnerability in rural areas. PI: Josep Vidal Alaball.
  • Cost-efficiency study of the use of clinical ultrasound in primary care in Central Catalonia. 2024-2027. IP: Xavier Marin Gomez.
  • Temporal relationship between type 2 diabetes and depression diagnoses in primary care in Central Catalonia between 2017 and 2024. 2024-2027. IP: Aïna Fuster Casanovas.
  • Addressing anxiety in Primary Care in Central Catalonia. 2024-2027. IP: Aïna Fuster Casanovas.
  • Design, implementation and evaluation of a pilot training programme in comprehensive and integrated Palliative Care for Primary Care professionals in the Bages region. 2024-2027. PI: Anna Escalé Besa.
  • Re-evaluation of penicillin and/or cephalosporin allergy labels from primary care. 2024-2027. IP: Aïna Fuster Casanovas.DASH-Obesity: Advanced Solution with Responsible Artificial Intelligence Platform for the Self-Management of Transdiagnostic Obesity. 2024-2027. PI: Josep Vidal Alaball.
  • Explainable AI for Family-Centric Transdiagnostic Personalized Weight control across Multiple Conditions. Ministry of Science and Innovation. 2024-2027. PI: Josep Vidal Alaball.
  • Perception of artificial intelligence in the specialized training of healthcare professionals. 2024-2027. PI: Anna Escalé Besa.
  • Impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on the clinical indicators of patients in Berguedà: Retrospective population cohort study. Official College of Physicians of Barcelona. 2024-2024. PI: Josep Vidal Alaball.
  • SALSA (Health, Nutrition and Sociability): Community networks of healthy eating, autonomy and social interaction. Terrasa Health Consortium. 2024-2027. IP: Anna Ruíz Comellas.
  • Avaluació de l'eficiència de la Telemedicina (Teleassistència) proactiva vs. Visites presencials per a l'accés universal i la prevenció de la salut en un Equip d'Atenció Primària rural: assaig clínic aleatoritzat de no inferioritat. 2024-2027. IP: Robert Panades Zafra.
  • Medication Review Using the Person-Centered Care Process of a Multidisciplinary Team in the Elderly Population: Results of a Clinical Trial (R_PCP). Foundation for Primary Care Pharmacists of Spain. 2024-2024. IP: Carol Rovira Algara.
  • Impact of the incentives and information system on general practitioner's behavior, patients' health and the use of the health system. 2023-2026. IP: Josep Vidal Alaball.
  • Evaluation of an interdisciplinary program optimized to improve the quality of life of people with fibromyalgia: quasi-experimental study (FIBROcatcentral). 2023-2026. IP: Glòria Saüch Valmaña.
  • Degree of fragility in people living in Central Catalonia. 2023-2026. IP: Anna Ruíz Comellas.
  • Geographical variability of the effect of extreme heat episodes on mortality in Catalonia. The case of the summer of 2022. Agency for the Management of Univ and Research Grants; CIBER Epidemiology and Public Health. 2023-2026. PI: Anna Ruíz Comellas,Maria Antonia Barceló Rado.
  • Unwanted loneliness. Terrasa Health Consortium. 2023-2026. IP: Anna Ruíz Comellas.
  • Addressing mental health through mobile apps: and what does the population think?. 2023-2026. PI: Aïna Fuster Casanovas.
  • Relationship between the administration of the GLP-1 receptor agonist drug family and mental health disorders. 2023-2026. PI: Aïna Fuster Casanovas.
  • Comparison of the incidence of primary care emergencies associated with the mushroom season in the Berguedà region. 2023-2026. IP: Josep Vidal Alaball.
  • Effectiveness of the application of a new work procedure in Primary Care Teams to address sexually transmitted infections. 2023-2026. IP: Anna Escalé Besa.
  • Impact of the systematic vaccination programme against chickenpox in Central Catalonia during the period 2010-2023. 2023-2026. IP: Anna Ruíz Comellas,Victor Guadalupe Fernández.
  • Practical guide for the registration of social determinants of health in computerised medical records in primary care consultations. 2023-2026. IP: Berta Rodoreda Pallàs.
  • Santpedor Health School. 2023-2026. IP: Berta Rodoreda Pallàs.
  • Validation of a checklist or checklist of care for the heart attack code and determine its relationship with patient safety. 2022-2025. IP: Encarna Sánchez Freire.
  • COVIDAI: Feasibility study of the Adhera® Fatigue Digital Program aimed at patients with fatigue associated with persistent COVID. 2022-2025. PI: Josep Vidal Alaball.
  • Description of the perception of artificial intelligence by healthcare professionals and users. 2022-2024. PI: Queralt Miró Catalina.
  • Social determinants of health and use of health services: description, analysis and perception in the adult population of Central Catalonia. 2022-2025. IP: Berta Rodoreda Pallàs.
  • Future intentions and beliefs about screw tobacco in the adolescent population. ICS - Catalan Institute of Health. 2022-2025. PI: Eva Codinach Danish.
  • Proactive Telemedicine (TMP), a tool to facilitate accessibility to universal health care and improve health prevention for the population assigned to a primary health care team. ICS - Catalan Institute of Health. 2022-2025. IP: Robert Panades Zafra.
  • Impact of the SARS-Cov2 pandemic on the care of type 2 diabetes mellitus in primary care centers in central Catalonia. Official College of Physicians of Barcelona. 2022-2025. PI: Josep Vidal Alaball.
  • Ending COVID-19 variants of concern through cohort studies: END-VOC. (101046314). European Commission. 2022-2025. IP: Anna Ruíz Comellas.
  • The indirect impact of the pandemic: determinants and consequences of access to public primary care services during the COVID-19 pandemic. (SLT021/21/000002). Generalitat Catalunya. 2022-2025. PI: Josep Vidal Alaball.
  • Experience of using the eConsulta by Primary Care users of the Catalan Institute of Health. ICS - Catalan Institute of Health. 2022-2025. PI: Josep Vidal Alaball.
  • Artificial Intelligence-based Digital therapeutics solution for personalized recovery support of long covid patients AIDA - COVID-X. (101016065). European Commission; Polytechnic University of Madrid (UPM). 2021-2024. PI: Josep Vidal Alaball.
  • Validation and evaluation of the impact of Artificial Intelligence for the reading of chest X-rays. ICS - Catalan Institute of Health. 2021-2024. PI: Queralt Miró Catalina.
  • Telepharmacy in primary care: study to assess the impact of pharmacists on the advice of vaccination against COVID-19 in the population of Central Catalonia. Primary Care Foundation (FAP) - CAMFIC. 2021-2024. IP: Anna Maria Bonet Esteve.
  • Multicentre study on the use of virtual reality in the reduction of pain after the administration of vaccines in children aged 3 to 6 years in primary care centres in Central Catalonia: randomised clinical trial. ICS - Institut Català de la Salut. 2021-2024. PI: Josep Vidal Alaball.
  • Big data, Analytics, Management and Strategy in Health and Social. Manresa City Council. 2021-2024. PI: Josep Vidal Alaball.
  • Multicenter, randomized, double-blind, parallel-group study to evaluate the safety and efficacy of anti-COVID-19 immunoglobulin (human) 20% (IG-C19 20%) versus placebo in asymptomatic outpatients with severe acute respiratory syndrome due to Coronavirus 2 infection (SARS-CoV-2). (GC2010). GRIFOLS, S.A. 2021-2024. PI: Josep Vidal Alaball.
  • Incidence of respiratory infections in the paediatric population in Central Catalonia in the years 2018-2022. ICS - Institut Català de la Salut. 2021-2024. PI: María José Macías Reyes.
  • Wearable platform for the early diagnosis of COVID-19 complications in patients with chronic diseases through the use of Artificial Intelligence. (135441). Center for Technological and Industrial Development (CDTI). 2020-2025. PI: Josep Vidal Alaball.
  • Knowledge and attitudes about clinical trials by general and family medicine practitioners and their patients-cross-sectional research. DNOOM. 2019-2024. PI: Josep Vidal Alaball. - END-VOC-ICS. European Commission. PI: Josep Vidal Alaball.

Grup publications

  • Rubio R, Yavlinsky A, Escalera Zamudio M, Molinos Albert LM, Martín Pérez C, Pradenas E et al. Initial antigen encounter determines robust T-cell immunity against SARS-CoV-2 BA.2.86 variant three years later. J Infect. 2025; 90(2):106402-106402. PMID:39746406.
  • Fiol deRoque MA, Valderas JM, de la Torre JA, Serrano Ripoll MJ, Gens Barbera M, Sánchez Freire E et al. Evaluation of the psychometric performance of the Spanish and Catalan versions of the patient reported experiences and Outcomes of Safety in Primary Care (PREOS-PC)-Compact questionnaire. Eur J Gen Pract. 2024; 30(1):2296573-2296573. PMID:38197321.
  • Evers S, Kenkre J, Kloppe T, Kurpas D, Mendive JM, Petrazzuoli F et al. Survey of general practitioners' awareness, practice and perception of social prescribing across Europe. Eur J Gen Pract. 2024; 30(1):2351806-2351806. PMID:38757217.
  • Perramon Malavez A, de Rioja VL, Coma E, Hermosilla E, Fina F, Martínez Marcos M et al. Introduction of nirsevimab in Catalonia, Spain: description of the incidence of bronchiolitis and respiratory syncytial virus in the 2023/2024 season. Eur J Pediatr. 2024; 183(12):5181-5189. PMID:39340677.
  • Esteban Fabró R, Coma E, Hermosilla E, Méndez Boo L, Guiriguet C, Facchini G et al. Information provision and financial incentives in Catalonia's public primary care (2010-2019): an interrupted time series analysis. Lancet Reg Health Eur. 2024;47101102-101102. PMID:39469090.
  • Puigdellívol Sánchez A, Juanes González M, Calderón Valdiviezo A, Losa Puig H, Valls Foix R, González Salvador M et al. COVID-19 in Relation to Chronic Antihistamine Prescription. Microorganisms. 2024; 12(12):PMID:39770791.
  • Puigdellívol Sánchez A, Juanes González M, Calderón Valdiviezo A, Valls Foix R, González Salvador M, Lozano Paz C et al. COVID-19 in Relation to Polypharmacy and Immunization (2020-2024). Viruses. 2024; 16(10):PMID:39459868.
  • Martinez Satorres A, Roca Saumell C, Escale Besa A, Arcarons Marti M, Fernandez Segura FJ, Wagner CA et al. Evaluation of the impact of an online video game as an educational intervention on sexual health and the prevention, diagnosis, and treatment of sexually transmitted infection: A randomized controlled trial protocol. BMC Med Educ. 2024; 24(1):922-922. PMID:39187824.
  • Burgaya Subirana S, Balaguer M, Catalina QM, Sola L, Ruiz Comellas A. Influenza Vaccination Coverage in Children: How Has COVID-19 Influenced It? A Review of Five Seasons (2018-2023) in Central Catalonia, Spain. Vaccines (Basel). 2024; 12(8):PMID:39204048.
  • Zoya MM, Kranjcevic K, Vucak J, Sukriev L, Vidal Alaball J, de Oliveira CM et al. Is there a relationship between attitudes of general practitioners/family doctors and attitudes of their patients regarding industry-sponsored clinical investigations? A cross-sectional survey in a convenience sample of doctors and patients across nine European countries. Croat. Med. J. 2024; 65(4):313-327. PMID:39219195.
  • Zafra RP, Parramon NA, Albiol Perarnau M, Torres OY. Analysis of the challenges and dilemmas that bioethics of the 21st century will face in the digital health era. Aten Primaria. 2024; 56(7):102901-102901. PMID:38452658.
  • Moreno Vásquez M, Vidal Alaball J, Saez M, Barceló MA, PERIS Project collaborative T. Impacts of COVID-19 on clinical indicators and mortality in patients with chronic conditions in Catalonia, Spain: A retrospective population-based cohort study. J. Glob. Health. 2024;145020-5020. PMID:38900506.
  • Acezat Oliva J, Alarcón Belmonte I, Paredes Costa EJ, Albiol Perarnau M, Goussens A, Vidal Alaball J. Teleconsulta: encontrando su lugar en Atención Primaria. Aten Primaria. 2024; 56(6):102927-102927. PMID:38608402.
  • Vidal Alaball J. New information and communication technologies in primary and community care. Aten Primaria. 2024; 56(6):102929-102929. PMID:38569272.
  • Rodoreda Pallàs B, Escarrer ET, Juncadella JS, Cardona TP, Bacardit NS, Calaf MV. Evaluation of a coding guide on social determinants of health in primary care consultations: A mixed study. Aten Primaria. 2024; 56(6):102878-102878. PMID:38401205.
  • Arias GR, Corcoll JS, Arnaus MC, Vidal Alaball J, Ramírez Morros A, Solé GA. Improving quality of life in older adults with the decline syndrome: The role of occupational therapy in primary care. Aten Primaria. 2024; 56(6):102879-102879. PMID:38359516.
  • Escalé Besa A, Vidal Alaball J, Catalina QM, Gracia VHG, Marin Gomez FX, Fuster Casanovas A. The Use of Artificial Intelligence for Skin Disease Diagnosis in Primary Care Settings: A Systematic Review. Healthcare (Basel). 2024; 12(12):PMID:38921305.
  • Aguilar R, Jiménez A, Santano R, Vidal M, Maiga Ascofare O, Strauss R et al. Malaria and other infections induce polyreactive antibodies that impact SARS-CoV-2 seropositivity estimations in endemic settings. J Med Virol. 2024; 96(6):PMID:38874194.
  • Millat Martinez P, Gharbharan A, Alemany A, Rokx C, Geurtsvankessel C, Papageorgiou G et al. Author Correction: Prospective individual patient data meta-analysis of two randomized trials on convalescent plasma for COVID-19 outpatients. Nat Commun. 2024;15(1):4352-4352. PMID:38778041.
  • de Rioja VL, Basile L, Perramon Malavez A, Martínez Solanas É, López D, Medina Maestro S et al. Severity of Omicron Subvariants and Vaccine Impact in Catalonia, Spain. Vaccines (Basel). 2024; 12(5):PMID:38793717.
  • Zaldúa YC, Alòs F, Mur MC, Belmonte IA, Rodríguez VF, Vidal Alaball J. Analysis of the interruptions generated by the use of smartphones among Primary Care Health professionals. Aten Primaria. 2024; 56(4):102855-102855. PMID:38232681.
  • Codinach Danés E, Obradors Rial N, González Casals H, Bosque Prous M, Folch C, Colom J et al. Polydrug use of tobacco and cannabis: Relationship with self-perceived health and mood state in adolescents in Central Catalonia- DESKcohort Project. Adicciones. 2024; 36(1):81-92. PMID:36200227.
  • Castillo Rodenas M, Gómez J, Fuster Casanovas A, Catalina QM, Vidal Alaball J, Segui FL. Impact of COVID-19 on the Pediatric Primary Care Model in Catalonia: Analysis of Changes in the Number and Type of Face-to-Face and Remote Visits. JMIR Pediatr Parent. 2024; 7PMID:38532544.
  • Catalina QM, Vidal Alaball J, Fuster Casanovas A, Escalé Besa A, Comellas AR, Solé Casals J. Real-world testing of an artificial intelligence algorithm for the analysis of chest X-rays in primary care settings. Sci Rep. 2024; 14(1):5199-5199. PMID:38431731.
  • Guadalupe Fernández V, Martínez Solanas E, Sabrià Sunyé A, Ferrer Mikoly C, Martínez Mateo A, Ciruela Navas P et al. Investigating epidemiological distribution (temporality and intensity) of respiratory pathogens following COVID-19 de-escalation process in Catalonia, September 2016-June 2021: Analysis of regional surveillance data. PLoS One. 2024; 19(2):PMID:38335176.
  • Pujolar Díaz G, Miró Catalina Q, Fuster Casanovas A, Sola Reguant L, Vidal Alaball J. A Sex- and Gender-Based Approach to Chronic Conditions in Central Catalonia (Spain): A Descriptive Cross-Sectional Study. Int J Environ Res Public Health. 2024; 21(2):PMID:38397643.
  • Colom Cadena A, Martínez Riveros H, Bordas A, Alonso García L, Montoro Fernández M, Romano deGea P et al. Feasibility of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) antigen self-testing in school and summer camp attendees(vol10,975454,2023). Front Pediatr. 2024;111353806-1353806. PMID:38250593.
  • Castillo Rodenas M, Vidal Alaball J, Solanas Bacardit N, Farràs Company C, Fuster Casanovas A, Catalina QM et al. Feasibility of a Pediatric Acute Video Consultation Process Among Health Care Professionals in Primary Care in a Rural Setting: Protocol for a Prospective Validation Study ( vol 13 , e52946 , 2024). JMIR Res Protoc. 2024; 13PMID:38442371.
  • Castillo Rodenas M, Vidal Alaball J, Solanas Bacardit N, Farràs Company C, Fuster Casanovas A, Catalina QM et al. Feasibility of a Pediatric Acute Video Consultation Process Among Health Care Professionals in Primary Care in a Rural Setting: Protocol for a Prospective Validation Study. JMIR Res Protoc. 2024; 13PMID:38300693.
  • Fuster Casanovas A, Catalina QM, Vidal Alaball J, Escalé Besa A, Carrión C. eHealth in the Management of Depressive Episodes in Catalonia's Primary Care From 2017 to 2022: Retrospective Observational Study. JMIR Ment Health. 2024; 11PMID:38236631.
  • Codinach Danes E, Obradors rial N, gonzalez CAsAls H, Bosque prous M, Folch C, Colom J et al. Polydrug use of tobacco and cannabis: Relationship with self-perceived health and mood state in adolescents in Central Catalonia DESKcohort Project. Adicciones. 2024; 36(1):Bhandoria G, Bilir E, Uwins C, Vidal Alaball J, Fuster Casanovas A, Ahmed W. Impact of a New Gynecologic Oncology Hashtag During Virtual-Only ASCO Annual Meetings: An X (Twitter) Social Network Analysis. JMIR Med Educ. 2024; 10PMID:39149928.
  • Robles N, Moretó S, Fuster A, Duarte A, Padilla M, Pérez A et al. EvalDepApps: How to evaluate depression management based on evidence and end users. Eur. J. Public Health. 2024; 34

Theses

  • De la Cruz M(Author). Multicenter study on the use of virtual reality in the reduction of pain after the administration of vaccines in children aged 3 to 6 years in primary care centers in Central Catalonia: randomized clinical trial. [Doctoral Thesis]. Vic. University of Vic-Central University of Catalonia. 2024.
  • Evaluation of the impact of artificial intelligence in the field of health and validation of an artificial intelligence algorithm for the reading of chest X-rays in the field of primary care. [Doctoral Thesis]. Vic. University of Vic-Central University of Catalonia. 2024.
  • State of Digital Health Research in Primary Care in the Post-COVID Era: A Scoping Review. [Master's Thesis]. Barcelona. Universitat Oberta de Catalunya. 2024.
  • Emotional intelligence and coping strategies in stressful situations during healthcare activity in primary care professionals. Vic. University of Vic-Central University of Catalonia. 2024.
  • Addressing mental health through mobile apps: What does the population think?. Vic. University of Vic-Central University of Catalonia. 2024.
  • Borras L (Author). Mushroom season in the Berguedà region: a retrospective analysis of seasonal trends in primary care emergency services. [Final Degree Project]. Vic. University of Vic-Central University of Catalonia. 2024.
  • Development of a machine learning algorithm for the prediction of patient-reported outcome measures (PROMs) after primary total knee and hip prosthesis surgery. [Master's Thesis]. Barcelona. Universitat Oberta de Catalunya. 2024.
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