Telemental health in Brazil: past, present and integration into primary care

Telemental Health Care has reported very good results and is included within mental health priorities by the World Health Organization. Objective To provide an overview of the current situation of the integration of Brazilian telemedicine activities into primary health care. Methods Critical review based on MEDLINE database, using the keywords “telemedicine”, “primary health care” “mental health” and “telemental health”, on websites of the Brazilian Ministry of Health and Brazilian Telehealth Network Program, and on personal communication. Results The Brazilian Telehealth Network Program is well positioned and connects primary health care with academic centers. Regulations standards allow a broader scope of activities for psychologists, however, are more restrictive for physicians. In Brazil most of telemental health activities are focused on education and second opinion consulting. A huge challenge must be overcome considering the regional differences and the telehealth implementation experience. Research initiatives have been initiated both in the implementation and evaluation of the mental health assistance into primary health care. Discussion Brazilian Telemental Health initiatives into Primary Care are aligned with other examples around the world, have a great potential for improving mental health care service delivery, and access to proper mental health care, especially if articulated in a national program and coordinated research...

A cirurgia cardíaca pediátrica sob o olhar dos pais: um estudo qualitativo / Pediatric cardiac surgery under the parents sight: a qualitative study

INTRODUÇÃO: As cardiopatias congênitas podem muitas vezes ser corrigidas por meio de cirurgia, assegurando para os pais a expectativa de uma vida normal, entretanto, a vivência da hospitalização, muitas vezes precoce, ocasiona maior sofrimento, sendo a operação o pior momento. OBJETIVO: O objetivo deste estudo foi analisar a vivência de famílias de crianças submetidas à cirurgia cardíaca, identificando os recursos de enfrentamento utilizados pelos familiares. MÉTODOS: A abordagem qualitativa foi a opção metodológica deste estudo, onde realizou-se seis entrevistas semi-estruturadas e 100 horas de observação participante. Foi utilizada a análise temática para a compreensão dos dados. RESULTADOS: Os resultados foram categorizados em quatro núcleos temáticos: sentimentos e emoções frente ao adoecimento do filho; a doença do coração sob o olhar materno; mãe e filho na dinâmica da unidade de terapia intensiva e recursos de enfrentamento. A fala das mães demonstrou a importância do coração devido a seu simbolismo que, por sua vez, potencializa sua fragilidade emocional diante do adoecimento. A religiosidade e uma consistente rede social de apoio foram fatores contribuintes para a manutenção de comportamentos adaptativos. A presença da mãe em todas as etapas do tratamento da criança contribuiu para a minimização do sofrimento gerado pela internação. CONCLUSÕES: A vivência das famílias foi caracterizada por sentimentos ambivalentes, como medo da morte, culpa e impotência frente às diferentes etapas do tratamento. A angústia e a ansiedade prevaleceram diante de situações desconhecidas, necessidade de informações frente às condutas terapêuticas, rotinas hospitalares e da própria situação de vida das famílias entrevistadas.

INTRODUCTION: Congenital heart defects can often be corrected through surgery, providing for parents to expect a normal life, but the hospitalization experience often early, causes more pain, for which surgery is the worst moment. OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to analyze the experience of families of children undergoing cardiac surgery and to identify the coping resources used by the families. METHODS: A qualitative approach was the metodology of choice for this study, which took place with six semi-structured interviews and 100 hours of observation. Thematic analysis was used to understand the data. RESULTS: The results were categorized into four themes: feelings and emotions facing the illness of the child; heart disease under the watchful mother, mother and child on the ICU and coping resources. The speech of mothers demonstrated the importance of the heart due to its symbolism that enhances their emotional fragility in the face of illness. Religiosity and a solid social network of support were contributing factors for the maintenance of the adaptive behaviors. The presence of mothers in all stages of the child's treatment contributed to minimizing the suffering generated by hospitalization. CONCLUSION: The experience of families was characterized by ambivalent feelings such as fear of death, guilt and helplessness against the different stages of treatment. The anguish and anxiety prevailed in the face of unknown situations when information were required before therapeutic procedures, hospital routines and the actual life situation of the families.