Social Prescribing (SP) is an approach which aims of improving health and well-being and connecting patients to community services. Examples of these services include physical activity and cultural activities. Despite its benefits, SP has still not been fully implemented in Portugal. This case study is part of a larger study on Social Prescribing Local System (SPLS) implementation, which comprised a quantitative approach, a pilot study and a qualitative approach, and aims at exploring patients' and healthcare workers' perspectives on SP. The study was carried out to understand the motivations of different stakeholders for participating in the pilot project, the anticipated benefits for patients, healthcare professionals, and the health unit, as well as their perceptions and experiences within the scope of the SP project. Data collection was carried out in December 2020 through semi-structured individual interviews and a focus group. A total of seven participants were included, of which one patient, one museum representative and five healthcare professionals. Different common dimensions related to SP emerge, including health and well-being, social interaction and community engagement, accessibility and inclusivity, motivation and adherence, collaboration and coordination, and education and awareness. The patient considered the adequacy of the activity to the patient's state of health and capabilities, adoption of a phased approach, with a focus on progress, in order to promote long-term adherence as facilitators. For the museum, disseminating its activities to healthcare professionals and patients through different channels such as posters at the health center, social media pages, and training sessions can significantly enhance visibility and engagement, while direct phone contact and digital publications can further promote adherence, ensuring a comprehensive and coordinated approach to patient participation and institutional benefit. Healthcare professionals identified several benefits, including reduction of social isolation and sedentarism, as well as a means of strengthening the therapeutic relationship with patients. The design and implementation of SP programs should be participative and involve all stakeholders participating in the process. Barriers to adherence included time for activity and the associated costs or prerequisites, availability of activities and lack of perceived interest in health.
This study investigates the utilization of artificial intelligence (AI) technology to enhance practical content development within the media specialization program at Palestine Technical University, Kadoorie. The primary objective is to examine the extent to which media specialty lecturers employ AI technology in developing practical content. A mixed-methods approach is employed, qualitative data are gathered through in-depth interviews with faculty members to elucidate their perceptions and experiences regarding the integration of AI technology in practical content development. The study aims to provide valuable insights into the benefits and challenges of AI integration in practical content development for media specialization programs The study reveals diverse views on AI integration in media education at Palestine Technical University, Kadoorie. Faculty recognize AI’s benefits like personalized learning and productivity but also express concerns about over-reliance and ethics. Consensus exists on cautious AI implementation to maximize benefits and address drawbacks. Obstacles to AI adoption include cost, skills gaps, and ethical considerations, highlighting the complexity of integration. The study emphasizes a balanced approach, offering insights for enhancing practical content development in media specialization programs at Palestine Technical University, Kadoorie.
Currently, coal resource-based cities (CRBCs) are facing challenges such as ecological destruction, resource exhaustion, and disordered urban development. By analyzing the landscape pattern, the understanding of urban land use can be clarified, and optimization strategies can be proposed for urban transformation and sustainable development. In this study, based on the interpretation of remote sensing data for three dates, the landscape pattern changes in the urban area of Huainan City, a typical coal resource-based city in Anhui Province, China were empirically investigated. The results indicate that: (1) There is a significant spatial-temporal transformation of land use, with construction land gradually replacing arable land as the dominant land use type in the region. (2) Landscape indices are helpful to reveal the characteristics of land transfer and distribution of human activities during a process. At the landscape type level, construction land, grassland, and water bodies are increasingly affected by human activities. At the landscape composition level, the number of landscape types increases, and the distribution of different types of patches becomes more balanced. In addition, to address the problems caused by the coal mining subsidence areas in Huainan city, three landscape pattern optimization strategies are proposed at both macro and micro levels. The research findings contribute to a better understanding of land use changes and their driving forces, and offer valuable alternatives for ecological environment optimization.
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