Healthcare and School Professionals’ Satisfaction with Implementation of Finnish Smart Family Practice in Poland

<b>Background:</b> Poland is one of six countries implementing the Finnish Smart Family practice under the Joint Action Health4EUKids, aimed at supporting families in adopting lifestyle counseling methods and preventing childhood obesity across the European Union. <b>Material and method:</b> Since March 2024, Poland has implemented Smart Family tools through training sessions for professionals who work or will work with families of children with excess body weight. A total of 295 individuals have been trained, including 52.2% dietitians, 34.9% nurses, and 12.9% school staff such as teachers, school counselors, and psychologists. Before and after the training sessions, participants completed a survey assessing their knowledge of the Smart Family Practice, and familiarity with supportive tools. <b>Results:</b> Among 295 participants, nearly half reported no prior experience with family-based lifestyle change interventions. Post-training, over 70% expressed readiness to implement the SMART FAMILY method, with high interest (80.7%), motivation (76.5%), and satisfaction (83.6%). Most recognized its potential to support healthy lifestyles and parental engagement (>85%). Key barriers included lack of family cooperation (87.8%), staff shortages (81.0%), limited training (78.4%), and insufficient resources (43%). <b>Conclusions:</b> A high level of acceptance and motivation among participants indicates that the SMART FAMILY method has the potential for effective adaptation in Poland. Its implementation requires strengthening specialists' skills and providing appropriate organizational resources. Overcoming barriers such as lack of experience, limited time, and difficulties in engaging families is crucial to achieving lasting intervention outcomes.

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Publication Details

Journal
Pediatric Reports
Published
2025-11-05
DOI
https://doi.org/10.3390/pediatric17060120
Primary Topic
Family and Patient Care in Intensive Care Units
Type
article
Field-Weighted Citation Impact
0.00
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article

Healthcare and School Professionals’ Satisfaction with Implementation of Finnish Smart Family Practice in Poland

Nella Savolainen, Katarzyna Brukało, Heli Kuusipalo, Päivi Mäki et al.
Pediatric Reports
Family and Patient Care in Intensive Care Units
article

Healthcare and School Professionals’ Satisfaction with Implementation of Finnish Smart Family Practice in Poland

Nella Savolainen, Katarzyna Brukało, Heli Kuusipalo, Päivi Mäki, Agata Szymczak, Justyna Nowak, Marta Morawska, Taina Sainio, Emma Koivurinta, Kati Kuisma
article en

Abstract

<b>Background:</b> Poland is one of six countries implementing the Finnish Smart Family practice under the Joint Action Health4EUKids, aimed at supporting families in adopting lifestyle counseling methods and preventing childhood obesity across the European Union. <b>Material and method:</b> Since March 2024, Poland has implemented Smart Family tools through training sessions for professionals who work or will work with families of children with excess body weight. A total of 295 individuals have been trained, including 52.2% dietitians, 34.9% nurses, and 12.9% school staff such as teachers, school counselors, and psychologists. Before and after the training sessions, participants completed a survey assessing their knowledge of the Smart Family Practice, and familiarity with supportive tools. <b>Results:</b> Among 295 participants, nearly half reported no prior experience with family-based lifestyle change interventions. Post-training, over 70% expressed readiness to implement the SMART FAMILY method, with high interest (80.7%), motivation (76.5%), and satisfaction (83.6%). Most recognized its potential to support healthy lifestyles and parental engagement (>85%). Key barriers included lack of family cooperation (87.8%), staff shortages (81.0%), limited training (78.4%), and insufficient resources (43%). <b>Conclusions:</b> A high level of acceptance and motivation among participants indicates that the SMART FAMILY method has the potential for effective adaptation in Poland. Its implementation requires strengthening specialists' skills and providing appropriate organizational resources. Overcoming barriers such as lack of experience, limited time, and difficulties in engaging families is crucial to achieving lasting intervention outcomes.

Pediatric ReportsVol. 17(6)
Medical University of Silesia (PL), Finnish Institute for Health and Welfare (FI), National Health Insurance Fund (RS), Finnish Dental Association (FI)
Openalex Percentile: Top 54%
Family and Patient Care in Intensive Care Units
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