# Implementing a Group Psychoeducational Program for Emotional Well-Being in Primary Care Teams: A Qualitative Study in Catalonia

## TL;DR

A group psychoeducational program for emotional well-being was well-received by primary care professionals in Catalonia, but organizational barriers limited its success.

## Contribution

The study provides insights into the real-world implementation of emotional well-being programs in primary care settings.

## Key findings

- The program offered a valuable space for emotional expression and self-care among primary care professionals.
- Community psychologists were key facilitators due to their embedded role and contextual knowledge.
- Organizational barriers like workload and lack of protected time hindered program continuity and participation.

## Abstract

What are the main findings?
A psychoeducational emotional well-being program was well received by primary care professionals, providing a space for emotional expression and self-care.Community psychologists played a key role in facilitating the intervention, while organizational barriers limited participation and continuity.

A psychoeducational emotional well-being program was well received by primary care professionals, providing a space for emotional expression and self-care.

Community psychologists played a key role in facilitating the intervention, while organizational barriers limited participation and continuity.

What are the implications of the main findings?
Sustaining emotional well-being initiatives in primary care requires organizational commitment, adequate resources, and integration into routine practice.Combining individual-level support with systemic measures addressing workload, staffing, and organizational culture is essential.

Sustaining emotional well-being initiatives in primary care requires organizational commitment, adequate resources, and integration into routine practice.

Combining individual-level support with systemic measures addressing workload, staffing, and organizational culture is essential.

Background/Objectives: Healthcare workers have faced increasing emotional strain driven by organizational constraints, rising workload, and accumulated post-pandemic pressure. To support emotional well-being in primary care professionals, the Catalan Health Institute implemented a large-scale psychoeducational group program in its primary care centers. This study explored its feasibility, acceptability, and the factors shaping real-world implementation from the perspectives of participating professionals and community psychologists who taught it. Methods: A qualitative study was conducted involving five online focus groups held with community psychologists (two groups) and primary care professionals who participated in the program (three groups), selected through purposive sampling. Additional qualitative material was obtained from implementation-related field notes. Session transcripts were analyzed using inductive thematic analysis. The study is registered at ClinicalTrials.gov (NCT05720429). Results: Participants described a context of sustained emotional strain that increased motivation to engage with the program. The sessions were perceived as a valuable protected space for emotional expression, interpersonal connection, and learning self-care strategies. Community psychologists were regarded as key facilitators due to their embedded role and contextual knowledge. However, inconsistent managerial engagement, lack of protected time, competing workloads, and inadequate physical spaces were barriers to successful implementation. Participants proposed strengthening institutional support and offering follow-up sessions to consolidate benefits. Conclusions: The program was positively valued and was perceived to provide individual and team-level benefits. Its sustainability requires stronger organizational commitment and integration into routine practice. Findings underscore the need to complement individual-focused interventions with systemic actions addressing workload, staffing, and organizational culture.