Interventions based on testing and communication training have been developed to reduce antibiotic prescribing in primary healthcare (PHC) for the treatment of acute lower respiratory infections (ALRTIs). However, research based on the experiences of PHC clinicians participating in ALTRIs interventions to reduce antibiotic prescribing in Barcelona is scanty.

This study aimed to explore the perceptions and experiences of clinicians (physicians and nurses) on an intervention to reduce antibiotic prescription in PHC in Barcelona (Spain). This intervention was a randomised controlled study (cRCT) based on three arms: 1) use of a C-reactive protein (CRP) rapid test; 2) enhanced communication skills; and 3) combination of CRP rapid test and enhanced communication skills. In addition, the study aimed to explore the impact of COVID-19 on the detection of ALRTIs.

This qualitative study used a socio-constructivist perspective. Sampling was purposive. Participants were selected based on age, sex, profession, intervention trial arm in which they participated, and the socioeconomic area of the PHC where they worked. They were recruited through the healthcare centres participating in the study. Nine participants (7 women and 2 men) participated in two focus groups, lasting 65–66 min, in September–October 2022. Framework analysis was used to analyse the data.

Three themes were identified: ‘(The intervention) gave us reassurance’: intervention experiences among health professionals. This theme includes accounts of clinicians’ satisfaction with the intervention, particularly with CRP testing to support clinical diagnoses; ‘We don’t have time in primary healthcare’: structural and community resources in healthcare services. This theme encompasses clinicians’ experiences on healthcare pressures and PHC organisational structures barriers to PHC interventions; and ‘I only did three CRP’: impact of COVID-19 pandemic on the intervention. The last theme focuses on the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on the intervention’s implementation.

CPR testing and promoting communication skills can be useful tools to support clinical decisions for ALRTIs. Structural barriers (e.g., healthcare pressures) and social inequities amongst service users were acknowledged as the main barriers for the implementation of ALRTIs interventions.

Gestalt therapy (GT) and systemic pedagogy (SP) are useful tools to approach emotional difficulties and mental health problems among children and adolescents. The main objective of this study was to explore the perceptions on GT and SP techniques in paediatric mental health-related consultations in a primary healthcare (PHC) centre in Catalonia in 2018–2019, among families, healthcare, and education professionals.

Qualitative study, combining semi-structured interviews with families (N = 42) and professionals (N = 15), conducted after a series paediatric PHC consultations including GT and SP techniques. Interviews lasted between 15 and 90 min and were conducted at the PHC centre where GT/SP consultations took place, and at professionals’ workplaces. Socio-demographics, reasons for consultation, and quantitative ratings on the perceived effectiveness of GT/SP consultations were also collected to combine these data with the qualitative interviews. Qualitative data were analyzed descriptively using thematic analysis. Quantitative data were analyzed by calculating frequencies (percentages) for categorical variables, and means, medians, and ranges for continuous variables.

Narratives from families and healthcare professionals indicate that GT/SP consultations might have been effective in improving children and adolescents’ symptomatology and emotional health. Improved well-being within the family context was another main finding, based on families’ perceptions and experiences. Besides, GT/SP were considered acceptable for approaching emotional and mental health in PHC services, although barriers for implementation were identified.

This study presents data on the potential usefulness of GT/SP to design and implement services that promote emotional and mental health among children and adolescents in PHC. Also, for the development of health policies and future research in this area.