Primary Care, Nursing, Health Care and Public Health

Research in Primary Care, Nursing, Health Care, and Public Health constitutes a fundamental scientific process for validating and generating knowledge that improves healthcare practice. The central objective of this research program is to promote significant advances in the areas of Public Health, Primary Care, Nursing, and Physical Therapy by integrating translational research and evidence-based practice, with a patient- and community-centered approach.

The program is designed to address key challenges in health care delivery, with a special emphasis on chronic diseases, multimorbidity, and vulnerable populations. The areas encompassed in this program are essential to achieving this objective, given their ability to offer comprehensive patient care, provide a community and social perspective on health problems, and their special emphasis on prevention, early diagnosis, and ongoing management of chronic conditions.

The project strategy is aligned with the guidelines of the National Health System and European policies on healthy aging, lifestyle modification, and reducing health inequalities. Within this framework, the combination of applied research, development of clinical practice guidelines, and evidence generation aims to optimize the quality, effectiveness, and equity of health services.

This program seeks to promote the development of original, high-impact research in priority areas. Its main objectives include:

• Improving health outcomes through personalized, evidence-based interventions.
• Evaluate and redesign care models to address challenges related to multimorbidity and the social determinants of health.
• Facilitate the translation of scientific findings into clinical practice and the population through innovative tools and specific guides.
• Promote the training and development of healthcare professionals, integrating new technologies and multidisciplinary approaches.

Furthermore, the importance of consolidating national and international research networks is emphasized, strengthening collaborations that allow for the development of multicenter projects and the effective transfer of knowledge.

The program encompasses lines of research that include the analysis of health services, the study of chronicity, the development of prevention strategies, community health, and healthcare ethics, among others. To achieve its goals, it utilizes various methodological approaches, such as longitudinal studies, qualitative approaches, and spatial analysis. Furthermore, it promotes the use of emerging technologies, such as artificial intelligence and digital tools for managing real-life data, providing a comprehensive view of health problems that enable responses to existing challenges within the healthcare system.

In the area of ​​innovation, the goal is to develop strategic infrastructures and tools applicable to the healthcare sector, such as predictive models, decision-support systems, and telerehabilitation solutions, as well as to improve the transfer of results to the general population.

The project aims to generate significant changes in healthcare practice and population health, contributing to the design of more equitable and sustainable public policies. Expected outcomes include:

• Greater effectiveness in the care of patients with complex conditions.
• Reduction of inequalities in access to and use of health services.
• Improved professional training and the implementation of best practices at all levels of care.

In short, this program represents a comprehensive effort to transform the landscape of Primary Care, Nursing, Healthcare, and Public Health through innovation, research, and strategic collaboration.

The program coordinator is Dr. Isabel Aguilar Palacio