Message applications in the doctor-patient relationship as a stressor

SUMMARY OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to assess the use of smartphones' messaging apps as a stressor affecting the well-being of gynecologists who use this tool to communicate with patients. METHODS: A cross-sectional study was conducted with gynecologists who use message applications to communicate with patients. Participants answered the WhatsApp Stress Scale, Oldenburg Burnout Inventory, and the techno-stress questionnaire. The population sample consisted of gynecologists and obstetricians selected by convenience. RESULTS: Physicians who spent more time using WhatsApp to communicate with patients had higher levels of stress (p=0.010), Burnout (p<0.001), and techno-invasion score (p<0.05). CONCLUSIONS: A positive association was found between the high frequency of WhatsApp usage for communication with patients and doctor's Burnout and stress, negatively influencing professional's well-being.

Translation and validation of the techno-stress questionnaire in Brazil

SUMMARY OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to translate the techno-stress questionnaire proposed by Ragu Nathan et al into Brazilian Portuguese and to culturally adapt and validate it. For this, 4 of the 11 original questionnaires' domains were used. METHODS: The questionnaires' domains translated and adapted were as follows: techno-overload, techno-invasion, techno-complexity, and job satisfaction. Initially, the techno-stress questionnaire was translated into Brazilian Portuguese language according to international standards, followed by cultural adaptations. Validation for feasibility and psychometric properties of translated questionnaire was performed on 138 gynecologists and obstetricians who use message applications to communicate with patients. The physicians were divided into groups according to the weekly messaging application usage time for communication with patients: <2 h (GI, n=89), 2-5 h (GII, n=29), and >5 h (GIII, n=23). The questionnaire was applied to all participants twice on the same day, overseen by two different interviewers, at a 15-min interval. After 15 days, it was readministered. The discriminant validity and reliability were calculated to validate the instrument. RESULTS: Techno-stress subscales showed statistically significant differences between the groups. The Cronbach's alpha coefficient for the techno-stress questionnaire was >0.80, showing good internal consistency. No differences were observed in the test-retest comparison of the techno-stress questionnaire, and the intraclass correlation coefficient results showed excellent reproducibility (³0.75). CONCLUSION: The techno-stress questionnaire was adequately translated into Brazilian Portuguese, with good discriminant validity, good internal consistency, and adequate test-retest results.

Plasmocitoma extramedular / Extramedulary plasmocytoma

Plasmocitoma extramedular é uma doença rara, caracterizada histopatologicamente por infiltrado de células plasmáticas de maturidades diversas e produtoras de imunoglobulina monoclonal fora da medula óssea. Sua incidência aumenta com a idade, sendo mais comum no homem e acometendo com maior freqüência o trato aerodigestivo superior. Apresenta-se clinicamente com epistaxe, rinorréia e obstrução nasal. O diagnóstico baseia-se no encontro de tumor monoclonal de plasmócitos extramedular excluindo-se mieloma múltiplo. Devido à radiosensibilidade do tumor, a radioterapia é peça central na terapêutica, porém, ainda se discute dose e necessidade de irradiação de linfonodos regionais. Cirurgia é tratamento de primeira escolha e quimioterapia continua sendo controversa. Os autores relatam um caso de plasmocitoma extramedular com manifestação intestinal em homem jovem submetido a duas cirurgias por complicações obstrutivas, recebendo quimioterapia como tratamento específico por recidiva tumoral.

Análise crítica de comerciais de medicamentos na televisão brasileira / Critical analyses of medicine advertisement in brazilian television

Levando-se em conta a importância da televisão como meio de comunicação de massa, analisamos os mecanismos pelos quais os grandes laboratórios farmacêuticos divulgam seus produtos, incorporando-os às necessidades da população e ao conceito de saúde. São, desta forma, analisados os conceitos sobre saúde e doença que se formam na economia capitalista. Tais concepções são influenciadas por fatores socioeconômicos e por sua vez podem determinar modificações no estado de saúde das populações. São abordadas as diferentes visões de saúde, no tocante a empresas farmacêuticas, médicos e leigos, sendo também esclarecidos os papéis principais de um medicamento.