SDHEd - Research lines

The research group pursues two primary research lines and four areas of expertise.

Research Line 1: Health Prevention and Determinants


1.1 Social Determinants of Health

Goal
To generate and disseminate knowledge on the influence of social determinants on health across the life course, from preconception to adulthood.
Achievements accomplished or in progress Challenges for the next three years
  • We have demonstrated how non-standard employment conditions affect health trajectories and chronic stress.
  • We are working to show the impact of maternal mental health on children in immigrant populations, and nursing leadership in personal management and health outcomes.
  • We are analysing biomarkers that help identify states of health and disease, and strengthen health prevention and promotion. 
  • Deepen longitudinal methodologies that allow the identification of reserve causality, rather than relying solely on cross-sectional associations.
  • Integrate qualitative and quantitative data to capture the voice of those affected, as well as the social and cultural context.
  • Evaluate the economic impact of working conditions on mental health and well-being.


1.2. Health prevention and promotion.

Goal
Design, implement, and evaluate interventions aimed at health prevention and promotion, focused on the transfer of results to contribute to a more efficient, sustainable, and quality-of-life-centred health and social care system.
Achievements accomplished or in progress Challenges for the next three years ​​​​​​​
  • We have conducted studies on the experiences of patients and their families in different contexts, including qualitative assessments that highlight the importance of the nursing role and the quality of care.
  • We have participated in cross-cultural validations of instruments, descriptive cohort studies, and clinical trials.
  • We have secured research contracts to describe and analyse Access to treatments for chronic diseases.
  • Engage patients and the general public in research, from project design to the dissemination of results.
  • Translate research findings into concrete institutional changes (protocols, hospital policies, etc).
  • Evaluate the economic impact of health prevention and promotion interventions.
Research Line 2. Health Education and Competencies


2.1 Innovation in Learning Environments

Goal
Design, implement, and evaluate innovative pedagogical strategies based on neuroscientific findings on human learning and adult learning models, with the aim of enhancing knowledge integration and retention, developing professional skills and competencies, transforming behaviours, and fostering learning environments that are healthy, respectful, and transformative.
Achievements accomplished or in progress ​​​​​​​ Challenges for the next three years ​​​​​​​
  • We have collaborated with healthcare and educational institutions on simulated practice projects, the development of educational platforms, and the design of healthy clinical environments (emotional management in clinical practice).
  • We have participated in inter-university studies on Generation Z students' perceptions, motivations and expectations, as well as the use of clinical simulation, virtual reality and other active methodologies in health education.
  • We are working to raise awareness of students' perceptions of well-being in relation to their intersectional position and the educational spaces they inhabit.
  • To scale innovative educational interventions (simulation, emotional management, active learning) of proven effectiveness so that they reach a greater number of students, professionals, and institutions.
  • To evaluate the impact of training interventions in health prevention and promotion in terms of competencies, health outcomes, and economic efficiency.
  • To support health education institutions in the implementation of sustainable teaching innovations aimed at health prevention and promotion.


2.2. Nursing roles and professional competencies.

Goal
To define, develop, and evaluate new nursing roles and competencies that enable a more effective response to social and health inequalities, as well as to the transition from a curative to a preventive care model, while integrating a holistic and contextualised view of health.
Achievements accomplished or in progress ​​​​​​​ Challenges for the next three years ​​​​​​​
  • We have defined and participated in the consensus on specific competencies for nurse anaesthetists through Delphi studies.
  • We have conducted qualitative studies on the ethical and moral dilemmas faced by perioperative nurses, particularly in COVID-19 contexts.
  • We have explored the advanced practice of nurse anaesthetists, renal transplant nurses and nurse managers in leaders. 
  • To improve the integration of the ethical, moral, and relational competencies in nursing education and assessment.
  • To adapt professional competencies to emerging healthcare challenges (health technologies, demographic changes, crisis situations, pandemics, etc).
  • To evaluate the impact of competencies on health outcomes, patient safety, and satisfaction.
  • To participate in the definition and consensus of a competency-based model for the professional development of nurses.