1. Roma in the healthcare system : experiences of healthcare professionalsDebora Levstik Jašarevič, Andrej Kočevar, Daša Petrič, Mirko Prosen, Sabina Ličen, 2026, original scientific article Abstract: Introduction. The Roma community faces numerous challenges in accessing health services, including language barriers, discrimination, low health literacy, and social exclusion. Aim. The aim of the research was to examine the experiences of health professionals in treating Roma patients, with a focus on communication, cultural differences, and access to health services. Special emphasis was also placed on the presence of antigypsyism in the healthcare system. Methods. The research was based on a qualitativedescriptive design. The sample included 15 healthcare workers with experience in treating Roma patients, primarily from the Dolenjska region. Data were collected through semi-structured individual interviews conducted between November and December 2024. The results were analyzed using thematic analysis. Results. Thematic analysis identified four themes: (1) Cultural characteristics of the Roma community, (2) Healthcare of Roma, (3) Interpersonal relationships between healthcare workers and Roma, (4) Communication with Roma. The results show that language barriers, low health literacy, and cultural differences are the main challenges in the treatment of Roma patients. Healthcare workers highlighted the use of “Roma helpers” – cultural mediators, communication adaptations, and educational workshops as successful strategies. Conclusion. The research highlights the importance of intercultural competences for improving healthcare for the Roma community. Healthcare professionals identified key strategies for addressing antigypsyism, such as patience, building trust, involving Roma cultural mediators, and organising targeted workshops. These strategies align with current guidelines, as they are based on respect, inclusion, and co-design of services with the Roma community. The findings can contribute to the development of tailored programmes that promote inclusion and reduce health inequalities.
Keywords: Roma community, cultural differences, language barriers, healthcare workers, health literacy
Published in RUP: 17.05.2026; Views: 9; Downloads: 0
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2. Social and cultural foundations of parents’ perceptions of healthy eating in Slovenia : a qualitative studyLarisa Hreščak Švigelj, Sabina Ličen, Katarina Rondič, Anja Ružič, 2026, original scientific article Abstract: Background: Food is essential for growth, development, and health, so it is important to develop healthy eating habits from a young age. This is influenced by culture, society, and personal habits, as well as family customs. The aim of this study is to investigate the influence of culture on the perception of healthy eating among Slovenian parents and to find out how these cultural factors influence their children’s dietary choices. Material and methods: A qualitative study was conducted using a purposive sample of 15 parents. Semi-structured interviews were conducted in November and December 2024. The questions were open-ended. Thematic text analysis was used to analyze the data. Results: Four main categories were identified: media influence and personal preferences, family dynamics in eating, family role in eating habits, factors influencing healthy eating habits. Parents balanced traditional and contemporary influences, used shared meals to maintain cohesion, negotiated intergenerational practices, and adapted routines to limited time and food costs. Conclusions: This study provides insights into the dietary perspective of Slovenian parents. Parents combine domestic, seasonal, and culturally established practices with ideas about healthy eating, while family dynamics, time constraints, and economic factors, including food costs, play a key role in their decisions.
Keywords: shared meals, media influence, family role, cultural influences, dietary habits
Published in RUP: 14.05.2026; Views: 81; Downloads: 0
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6. Religion, spirituality, and health values among young adults in Slovenia : a qualitative studyMirko Prosen, Mojca Baša, Ines Batista Križaj, Andrejka Presl, Sabina Ličen, 2026, original scientific article Abstract: This study explores how young adults in Slovenia perceive religion and spirituality and how they relate these dimensions to health, values, and health-related habits. In modern secular societies, religion and spirituality are increasingly seen as influencing health indirectly, mainly through personal values, identity, and coping strategies. However, little is known about how young adults themselves experience this relationship. A qualitative descriptive approach was used, with data collected through semi-structured interviews with 21 participants aged 18–34. Interviews were conducted in late 2025, recorded, transcribed verbatim, and analyzed using thematic analysis supported by Atlas.ti software. The trustworthiness of the study was ensured through established qualitative research criteria. Five key themes emerged: personal perspectives on religion and spirituality, the influence of family and socio-cultural environment, religion as a source of moral values, perceptions of the relationship between religion and health, and the role of religion in coping with stress and supporting mental well-being. Participants generally viewed religion as a personal and selective aspect of life with limited influence on physical health behaviors. Instead, its importance was mainly related to mental well-being and stress management. The findings indicate that religion and spirituality functioned primarily as psychosocial resources rather than direct determinants of health behaviors among young adults in Slovenia.
Keywords: religion, spirituality, young adults, health values, health habits, health behaviors
Published in RUP: 20.04.2026; Views: 296; Downloads: 6
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7. Health and well-being of military nurses in high-reliability, high-stress environments : a qualitative study in the slovenian armed forcesZlatko Kvržić, Mirko Prosen, 2026, original scientific article Abstract: Aim: To investigate how female military nurses experience high-reliability, high-stress environments and how these conditionsshape their well-being.Background: Military nursing involves complex demands that extend beyond clinical care, including dual professional roles,operational unpredictability, and gendered expectations. These pressures can undermine physical, psychological, and social well-being, yet the lived experiences of military nurses, particularly women, remain underexplored.Design: A qualitative descriptive design was used.Methods: Ten female military nurses were recruited through purposive sampling and interviewed individually in semi-structuredonline interviews. Data were analysed using qualitative content analysis. Trustworthiness was ensured through reflexive coding,an audit trail, and adherence to COREQ guidelines.Results: Five overarching categories captured the factors shaping well-being: organisational and structural demands; high-stressoperational environments; emotional and psychological burden; coping and resilience; and gendered identity and work–familybalance. Participants described constrained autonomy, communication gaps, and role ambiguity within hierarchical structures.Psychological pressures were heightened by moral tensions, responsibility for colleagues, and expectations of emotional control.Coping relied mainly on informal peer support, as formal services were rarely used due to stigma. Gendered norms and familyresponsibilities further influenced well-being and career decisions.Conclusion: Military nurse well-being is shaped less by individual resilience and more by organisational culture, operationaldemands, and gendered expectations. Addressing these systemic factors is essential for sustaining the military nursing workforce.Implication for Nursing: Strengthening leadership support, communication, psychological safety, and professional autonomymay improve working conditions and support nurses’ well-being in demanding operational contexts.Implications for Health Policy: Policies should promote supportive organisational cultures, reduce stigma around help-seeking,and facilitate work–family reconciliation to sustain and retain the military nursing workforce.
Keywords: military medicine, occupational health, psychological stress, qualitative research, work–family conflict, work environment
Published in RUP: 17.04.2026; Views: 312; Downloads: 8
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10. Experiences and perceptions of a 12-week combined exercise and dietary supplement program for individuals with knee osteoarthritis : a qualitative focus group studyTina Čeh, Jernej Završnik, Nejc Šarabon, Mirko Prosen, 2026, original scientific article Abstract: Background Exercise program and dietary supplements are commonly used in the conservative management of knee osteoarthritis (KOA) and have both been shown to reduce pain and improve physical function. Combining these approaches may offer additive benefits or introduce specific adherence challenges from the patient perspective. The combination of structured exercise with dietary supplements remains underexplored, especially through qualitative approaches. This study aims to investigate the lived experiences, perceived benefits, challenges, and motivational factors among participants of a targeted exercise program combined with dietary supplementation. Methods A qualitative study design with three focus group was used to explore participants overall experiences, motivational factors, and barriers to participation immediately after program. The sample included 16 older adults with KOA (Kellgren–Lawrence grade 1–3, 14 women and 2 men). Two moderators facilitated each focus group using topic guide. Data were analysed using inductive thematic analysis. Results Six main themes were identified: (1) recognized effects of exercise, (2) motivators and barriers to exercise, (3) group exercise and its impact on daily life, (4) recognized health care limitations, (5) experiences and practices of dietary supplement use, and (6) perspectives on program continuation and expansion. Conclusions Participants’ experiences with the combined exercise and dietary supplementation program for KOA highlighted the importance of social support, professional guidance, and self-motivation. Barriers included physical limitations, time constraints, and psychological challenges, while reported benefits included reduced pain, improved mood, and enhanced social engagement. Participants’ tendency to perceive exercise and supplementation as separate components indicates that, in practice, combined interventions may function as parallel rather than integrated strategies unless explicitly framed and supported as a unified approach
Keywords: knee osteoarthritis, exercise program, dietary supplements, qualitative study, physical rehabilitation, patient experience, motivation
Published in RUP: 21.02.2026; Views: 376; Downloads: 1
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