Evaluación de la calidad de la atención al adulto mayor en el primer nivel de salud / Evaluation of quality of care for the elderly in primary health care

Introducción: El envejecimiento poblacional constituye un problema demográfico y social a nivel mundial, del que Cuba no está exenta. El sistema de salud cubano tiene como objetivo incrementar los niveles de salud, la calidad de los servicios y la satisfacción de la población y sus prestadores. Cuba posee el 19,8 por ciento de la población de 60 y más años, cifra con tendencia al aumento en los años futuros, la que demanda incremento en los servicios de salud de calidad, por lo que evaluar la atención que se presta constituye una necesidad en el nivel primario. Objetivo: Evaluar la calidad del proceso de atención que se brinda a las personas mayores en unidades del primer nivel de salud. Métodos: Se realizó una investigación en sistemas y servicios de salud, cuya información se obtuvo mediante formularios validados en Consultorios de Médicos de la Familia y Grupos Básicos de Trabajo, como fuente de información se empleó la historia clínica de cada paciente. Resultados: La calidad de la atención en los Consultorios de Médicos de la Familia y Grupos Básicos de Trabajo mostró insuficiencias de acuerdo con los estándares establecidos, lo que evidencia la poca prioridad que se le presta a la atención del adulto mayor en el primer nivel de salud. Conclusiones: La calidad de la atención al adulto mayor en los Consultorios de Médicos de la Familia y Grupos Básicos de Trabajo evaluados mostró incumplimientos de acuerdo a lo establecido(AU)

Introduction: Population aging is a demographic and social problem worldwide, and Cuba is not an exception. The objective of the Cuban health system is to increase health levels, the quality of services and the satisfaction of the population and its providers. Cuba has 19.8 por ciento of its population at age 60 and over, a figure with a tendency to increase in future years, which demands an increase in quality health services, a reason why evaluating the care provided is a necessity at the primary level. Objective: To evaluate the quality of the care process provided to the elderly in units of the first level of health. Methods: An investigation was carried out in health systems and services, whose information was obtained through forms validated in family doctor's offices and basic work groups, as a source of information the clinical history of each patient was used. Results: The quality of care in family doctor's offices and basic work groups showed insufficiencies according to the established standards, which shows the low priority that is given to the care of the elderly in the first level of healthcare. Conclusions: The quality of care for the elderly in the family doctor's offices and basic work groups evaluated showed non-compliance according to what was established(AU)

Saúde Mental em Medicina Geral Familiar - obstáculos e expectativas percecionados pelos Médicos de Família / Mental Health in General Family Medicine - obstacles and expectations perceived by Family Physicians

Resumo Pretende-se conhecer as dificuldades sentidas pelos médicos de família (MF) na abordagem dos doentes com transtornos mentais (TM) e conhecer as suas propostas para melhorar os cuidados os cuidados de saúde mental (CSM). Estudo qualitativo. Realizaram-se entrevistas semiestruturadas e audio-gravadas a 10 MF. Com análise de conteúdo identificaram-se oito categorias temáticas: condições de trabalho percecionadas; formação em saúde; terapêuticas usadas para tratamento dos TM; instrumentos de saúde mental usados na consulta; TM abordados na atenção primária (AP) e referenciadas a cuidados hospitalares; reação do doente à referenciação; articulação da atenção primária com a psiquiatria; propostas para melhorar os CSM na AP. A articulação com os serviços de saúde mental é deficiente pela falta de acessibilidade, comunicação unidirecional e atraso na resposta. Para melhorar os MF propõem criação de consultorias; equipes multidisciplinares; plataformas que permitam a comunicação bidirecional; aprendizagem contínua com a discussão de casos. O MF presta CSM, o que exige trabalho em equipe, com elementos da comunidade e dos hospitais. Os serviços devem organizar-se como sistemas aprendentes que permitam a progressiva melhoria dos profissionais e o aperfeiçoamento das interfaces entre os mesmos.

Abstract This study seeks to understand the difficulties experienced by family physicians (FP) in the management of mental disorders (MD) and their proposals to improve the quality of care. It is qualitative study with semi-structured interviews with ten family physicians. These were recorded, transcribed and their content analyzed. Eight thematic categories were identified: perceived working conditions and available resources; perceived level of training in mental health; therapies used for treatment of MD; mental health instruments used in consultation; MD addressed in Primary Health Care (PHC) and referral to hospitals; patient's reaction to referral; articulation of PHC with hospitals; proposals to improve mental health care in PHC. Articulation with the Mental Health Services suffers from lack of accessibility, one-way communication and delayed response. The FP propose creation of consultancies; multidisciplinary teams in the community; creating a two-way communication platform; continuous learning through discussion of cases. The FP have responsibilities in providing MHC. This requires working in a multidisciplinary team. Services should be organized to function as a learning system that allows the progressive improvement of the professionals and the improvement of the interfaces between them.

Physicians' therapeutic practice and compliance of diabetic patients attending rural primary health care units in Alexandria

The objectives of the study were to investigate physician's therapeutic practice and the compliance of diabetic patients attending rural primary health units in Alexandria. A cross-sectional study was conducted and a multistage stratified random sample method was used for the selection of 600 diabetic patients. Data were collected by means of an interviewing questionnaire, an observation checklist, review of prescriptions and laboratory investigations. A scoring system was made for a diabetic patient's knowledge and skills, patient's compliance, doctor-patient relationship, and glycemic control. About 57% always took their medication as prescribed by doctor and on time, only 2.2% always complied with dietary regimen while no one reported regular compliance with exercise regimen. Complications of the regimen was the commonest cause [63.3%] of noncompliance. A highly statistically significant difference was found between compliance with all regimens and patient's knowledge of diabetes. The scores for doctor-patient relationship were all unsatisfactory. Results of glycosylated hemoglobin [HbAlc] revealed that metabolic control of four-fifth of the patients was satisfactory, 12% had fair and 8% had poor metabolic control. Patient's compliance with most of the diabetes regimen was low. Doctor-patient relationship and patient's compliance should be improved by conducting educational and training programs

Competencias médicas requeridas para el buen desempeño en Centros de Salud Familiares en Chile / A survey about the competences required by primary health physicians in Chile

Background: Primary health care is considering the cornerstone of health care in Chile. Its efficiency is strongly influenced by the quality and competences of physicians that are responsible for health care at this level. Aim: To define the features and competences that should have primary care physicians. Material and methods: A group of experts that could be physicians or other professionals working in primary health care were invited to answer electronically a structured questionnaire containing a list of 71 competences, for a basic and an expert level of physician, using the Delphi method. Competences were classifying as "desirable" or "indispensable". If there was lack of consensus in the importance given to a specific competence, the researchers defined its importance. Results: Thirty-eight professionals (50 percent physicians) were inviting to participate and 16 answered the questionnaire. The competence profile defined for basic physicians has 13 knowledge items, 24 skills and 16 attitudes. The figures for advanced physicians are 29 knowledge items, 37 skills and 20 attitudes. Conclusions: This list of competences should been considered by medical schools to adapt undergraduate training of future physicians.

Diagnostico de la situaciòn de salud del barrio Virgen Del Carmen, Distrito Remansito, Region Bajo Chaco HC-IPS/ 2007-2009 / Diagnosis of the health situation of the district virgen del carmen, remansito district, region lower chaco HC-IPS/2007-2009

Al realizar este estudio encontramos que nuestra poblaciòn se caracteriza por ser progresiva,cuyos problemas fundamentales se enfocan a las enfermedades transmisibles,principarmente la parasitosìs intestinal,ocupando las infecciones respìratorias agudas un lugar de destaque,en cuanto a las enfermedades crònicas no transmisibles la de mayor prevalencia fue el asma bronquial..

Patient satisfaction in Duhok, Kurdistan region of Iraq: family medicine center vs. primary health care centers

Family Medicine came to the fore as a specialty in Kurdistan Region of Iraq in 2006; however, no study to date has been done to evaluate its acceptance among the general population. The aim of this study is to compare patient satisfaction at the first family medicine center in Duhok with that at two traditional primary health care centers in the same city quarter. A modified SERVQUAL survey of 16 questions with single-option variables in a three-point Likert scale was used to identify patient satisfaction at Zanest Family Medicine Center compared to Barzan Primary Health Care Center as well as Shahidan Primary Health Care Center in a four week period during August 2008. The study showed significant higher patient satisfaction at the family medicine center in all five SERVQUAL dimensions: tangibles, reliability. Responsiveness, assurance, and empathy. However, in the dimension responsiveness, the statistical difference was barely reached. There was a trend observed that older, less educated, and male patients were more satisfied than younger, higher educated, and female patients, yet without statistical significance. Patients are satisfied with the first Family Medicine Center in Duhok compared to that provided by traditional PHCCs. This finding may forecast a greater future acceptance of similar services. The researchers recommended a wider adoption of family medicine services by all traditional PHCCs

Development and validation of an instrument to measure family physicians' clinical aptitude in metabolic syndrome in Mexico / Desarrollo y validación de un instrumento para medir la aptitud clínica de médicos familiares en síndrome metabólico en México

OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this work was to measure family physicians' clinical aptitude for the diagnosis and treatment of metabolic syndrome in a representative sample from six Family Medicine Units (UMF) at the Mexican Institute for Social Security (IMSS), in Guadalajara, Jalisco, México. MATERIAL AND METHODS: This is a cross-sectional study. A validated and structured instrument was used, with a confidence coefficient (Kuder-Richardson) of 0.95, that was applied to a representative sample of 90 family physicians throughout six UMFs in Guadalajara, between 2003 and 2004. Mann-Whitney's U and Kruskal-Wallis' tests were used to compare two or more groups, and the Perez-Viniegra Test was used to define aptitude development levels. RESULTS: No statistically significant differences were found in aptitude development between the six family medicine units groups and other comparative groups. CONCLUSIONS: The generally low level of clinical aptitude, and its indicators, reflects limitations on the part of family physicians at the IMSS in Jalisco to identify and manage metabolic syndrome.

OBJETIVO: El propósito de este estudio fue medir la aptitud clínica de los médicos familiares de una muestra representativa de seis Unidades de Medicina Familiar (UMF) del Instituto Mexicano del Seguro Social (IMSS), en Guadalajara, Jalisco, México, en el diagnóstico y tratamiento del síndrome metabólico. MATERIAL Y MÉTODOS: Es un estudio observacional, prospectivo y comparativo. Se diseñó y validó un instrumento estructurado con un coeficiente de confianza (Kuder-Richardson) de 0.95, aplicado a una muestra representativa de 90 médicos familiares de seis UMF en Guadalajara, entre 2003 y 2004. Se utilizaron los tests de Mann-Whitney U y Kruskal-Wallis para comparar dos o más grupos, y el test de Pérez-Viniegra se utilizó para definir los niveles de desarrollo de aptitud. RESULTADOS: No se observaron diferencias significativas en el desarrollo de aptitud entre las seis UMF. CONCLUSIONES: El bajo nivel general de aptitud clínica refleja las limitaciones para identificar y manejar el síndrome metabólico por parte de los médicos familiares.

Acesso e acolhimento na atenção básica: uma análise da percepção dos usuários e profissionais de saúde / Primary health care access and receptivity to users: an analysis of perceptions by users and health professionals

Este artigo é parte da pesquisa avaliativa do Projeto de Expansão e Consolidação da Estratégia Saúde da Família, desenvolvida pelo Núcleo de Estudos em Saúde Coletiva da Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Norte entre março e dezembro de 2005. Trata-se de avaliação de acesso e acolhimento na atenção básica, a partir de percepções de usuários e profissionais de saúde de unidades básicas de saúde e unidades de saúde da família, em três capitais do Nordeste brasileiro. Foi utilizada técnica de grupo focal com análise temática. Nos resultados, identificou-se ampliação do acesso, com desproporções entre oferta potencial, atendimento à demanda e dificuldades de referência. O acolhimento como tecnologia operacional é um processo em construção, variando nas unidades de saúde da família em níveis de concepção e estratégias de reorganização cotidiana do trabalho, e inexistente nas unidades básicas de saúde. A partir da realização deste estudo, recomenda-se incluir análises qualitativas em avaliação em saúde, por possibilitar maior valor explicativo aos aspectos subjetivos dos atores envolvidos.

This article is part of the evaluation study on the Project for Expansion and Consolidation of the Family Health Strategy, conducted by the Center for Public Health Research at the Federal University in Rio Grande do Norte, Brazil, from March to December 2005. The study presents an assessment of primary health care access and receptivity from the perspective of patients and health professionals, comparing traditional primary care units and family health units in three State capitals in Northeast Brazil. The methodology included focus groups with content analysis. The results identified increased access, but there is still a disproportion between potential supply, capacity to meet the demand, and difficulties with referral in both the family health units and traditional primary care units. As an operational technology, receptivity is still under construction in the family health units, with varying levels of adherence to both the concept and the strategies for reorganizing daily work practices. Meanwhile, receptivity is totally absent from the traditional primary care units. The study suggests that qualitative analyses be included in health assessment in order to better explain the subjective aspects of the various actors.

Child health care in Brazil: aspects of program vulnerability and human rights: [review] / Atenção à saúde da criança no Brasil: aspectos da vulnerabilidade programática e dos direitos humanos: [revisión] / Atención a la salud del niño en Brasil: aspectos de la vulnerabilidad programática y de los derechos humanos: [revisão]

This study aimed to examine the epidemiological approach in Brazilian child health programs, towards the reflection on current guidelines from the perspective of program vulnerability and human rights. A descriptive study was carried out, based on the analysis of official documents elaborated by the Brazilian Ministry of Health. The expansion and reorganization of family health practices and integrated care for prevailing childhood diseases are aimed at promoting health and quality of life to children and families. Health professionals, imbued with observation and intervention, can be considered agents to respect, protect and implement human rights.

Este estudo tem como objetivo examinar a abordagem epidemiológica nos programas brasileiros de saúde da criança, com vistas à reflexão das atuais diretrizes na perspectiva da vulnerabilidade e dos direitos humanos. Trata-se de estudo descritivo, alicerçado na análise de documentos oficiais veiculados pelo Ministério da Saúde, Brasil. Verificou-se que a ampliação e reorganização das práticas de saúde da família e da atenção integrada às doenças prevalentes na infância preconizam a promoção da saúde e qualidade de vida de crianças e famílias. Os profissionais de saúde, imbuídos de observação e intervenção, podem ser considerados agentes para respeitar, proteger e efetivar direitos humanos.

La finalidad de este estudio es investigar la aproximación epidemiológica en los programas de salud del niño en Brasil, con vistas a la reflexión de las directivas actuales en la perspectiva de la vulnerabilidad programática y de los derechos humanos. Realizamos un estudio descriptivo, basado en el análisis de documentos oficiales elaborados por el Ministerio de la Salud, en Brasil. Verificamos que los objetivos de la amplificación y reorganización de las prácticas de salud de la familia y de la atención integrada a las enfermedades prevalecientes en la infancia son las de promover la salud y cualidad de vida de niños y familias. Los profesionales deben ser agentes públicos imbuidos de observación e intervención para respetar, proteger y efectuar derechos humanos.

Clinical examination of pregnant women by paramedical and medical personnel: an assessment of consistency of findings in a field study.

BACKGROUND: As a part of a project to improve the maternal and child health services in 4 primary health centres (PHCs) in Bellary and Raichur districts of Karnataka, we assessed the consistency in recording symptoms, signs and some clinical observations of pregnant women by three examiners-the junior health assistant, medical officer of the PHC and a private medical practitioner. METHODS: One hundred seventy-four pregnant women were examined independently by the three examiners on the same day for 4 symptoms reported by the women themselves, 4 signs assessed by the examining person and 9 simple clinical observations. Agreement rates in each examiner pair for each parameter were assessed. RESULTS: We found poor rates of agreement in assesment of various parameters by each observer pair. The disagreement rates were lower between the two doctors compared with those between the junior health assistant and each doctor. CONCLUSION: The agreement rates between various healthcare personnel in assessing pregnant women are low. There is a need for measures to correct this situation.

A clinical audit of the quality of care of hypertension in general practice / Una Auditoría Clínica de la Calidad del Cuidado de la Hipertensión en la Práctica Médica General

Clinical audits monitor the use of particular interventions, or the care received by patients, against agreed standards. Any departures from [quot ]best practice[quot ] can then be examined, and causes can be determined and acted upon. The Ministry of Health (MOH), Jamaica, has recently published standards of care for hypertension. The medical records of a convenience sample of 125 hypertensive patients being managed by five current family medicine residents in their respective primary care practices were audited Initial results showed limited adherence to the MOH recommended hypertension management guidelines. The same practices were re-audited after an interval of six months, during which time the physicians were sensitized to the results of the preliminary audit. Marked improvements were noted in the second audit. Assessment for co-risk factors for hypertension-related diseases improved: nutritional advice (33% to 74%), smoking and alcohol intake history (40% to 65%) and history taking of physical activity (30% to 47%). Assessment for target organ damage also improved: fundoscopy done (11% to 54%), foot examination done (30% to 58%) and yearly electrolytes done (28% to 62%). There are clear gaps between current practice and standards that exist internationally and locally for management of hypertension. The MOH needs to disseminate and educate general practitioners about the standards of care guidelines

Los auditores clínicos monitorean el uso de intervenciones particulares, o la atención recibida por los pacientes, a fin de verificar si se cumplen las normas establecidas. Cualquier desviación de "la práctica estándar" puede ser entonces analizada, determinándose de ese modo las causas, y empren-diéndose las correspondientes acciones sobre ellas. El Ministerio de Salud (MS) de Jamaica, ha publicado recientemente las normas del cuidado de la hipertensión. A las historias clínicas de una muestra de conveniencia de 125 pacientes hipertensos tratados por cinco residentes de medicina familiar en sus respectivas consultas de atención primaria, se les practicó una auditoría. Los resul-tados iniciales mostraron una correspondencia limitada con las pautas para el tratamiento de la hipertensión recomendadas por el MS. Las mismas prácticas fueron sometidas de nuevo a auditoría, luego de un intervalo de seis meses, durante el cual se sensibilizó a los médicos con los resultados de la auditoría preliminar. En la segunda auditoría se observaron mejorías considerables. Mejoró la evaluación de los factores de co-riesgo por enfermedades relacionadas con la hipertensión: consejo nutricional (33% a 74%), historia de hábito de fumar y consumo de alcohol (40% a 65%), confección de historia de la actividad física (30% a 47%). También mejoró la evaluación de daños dirigida a órganos predeterminados: fondoscopia realizada (11% a 54%), examen de pies realizado (30% a 58%) y electrólitos anuales hechos (28% a 62%). Evidentemente hay lagunas entre la práctica común y las normas existentes internacional y localmente para el tratamiento de hipertensión. El MS necesita diseminar y educar médicos generales versados en las normas de cuidado establecidas.

Quality improvement in family practic

Quality Improvement [QI] is a method of continuously examining processes and making them more effective. The quality of care is defined as the degree to which health services to individuals and populations increases the likelihood of desired health outcomes and consistent with current professional knowledge. And the quality of caring is defined as the totality of features and characteristics of a service that bear on its ability to satisfy a given need. The results of such quality improvement projects will be really rewarded with desired health outcomes, satisfied patients and growing personal clinical practices

An Evaluation of Patient Satisfaction in Turkey with the EUROPEP Instrument

Seeking to understand patient perspectives is an important step in the efforts to improve the quality of health care. Developed by the EQuiP Task Force on Patient Evaluations of General Practice Care, the EUROPEP instrument aims to collect information on patient evaluations of general practice care. In order to expose the current state of patient satisfaction and make international comparisons, a study was conducted with relevant data collected from Turkey. The Turkish version of the EUROPEP instrument was administered to 1160 patients in six different Turkish cities. Thirty-three medical practices were included in the study. In every practice, a minimum of 30 adult patients who visited the practice for a consultation were consecutively included. The results were compared with previous values from European countries. "Helping you understand the importance of following his or her advice", "Getting through to the practice on the telephone", and "Providing quick services for urgent health problems" were evaluated best (76.7%, 76.3%, and 76.2%, 'good or excellent' ratings, respectively) and "Helping to deal with emotional problems related to the health status" was rated the worst (60.2%, 'good or excellent'). Other areas which had low ratings were: "Waiting time in the waiting room" (63.0%), "Quick relief of symptoms" (61.3%), and "Involving patients in decisions about medical care" (61.3%). Patient evaluations can help to educate medical staff about their achievements as well as their failures, assisting them to be more responsive to their patients' needs. In order to get the best benefit from EUROPEP, national benchmarking should be started to enable national and international comparisons.

Pain tracker diagnostic instrument: effect on patients' satisfaction with their interactions with the primary care physician

In a r and omized trial, the pain tracker instrument was evaluated as a diagnostic screening tool and for its effect on patients' satisfaction with their interactions with the primary care physician. The instrument form was filled in by the physician after asking the study patients about symptoms. Control [n = 53] and study patients [n = 49] were interviewed and the instrument's effect was analysed from responses to 15 statements. The pain tracker group were significantly more satisfied with the physician relationship than were controls [mean satisfaction score 85 +/- 8 versus 61 +/- 9]. A direct linear correlation was found between patients' assessment of the visit and overall satisfaction [r = 0.86]. The pain tracker can be an important component in history taking and a useful diagnostic screening tool in pain presentations

Improving diabetic patients' outcomes in family medicine in the United Arab Emirates

We evaluated a diabetic mini-clinic by assessing adherence to American Diabetes Association guidelines and changes in glycosylated haemoglobin levels. Of 1063 patients, 721 were multiple attenders. Single and multiple attenders showed no significant differences in age, sex, time since diagnosis or body mass index. Female and male multiple attenders showed significant declines in glycosylated haemoglobin levels over the first 12 and 18 months respectively. After 2 years, these levels were similar to those at entry to the clinic. The clinic's compliance with standard measurement guidelines was high. The diabetic mini-clinic model, which is effective in industrialized countries, was equally effective in this setting

Factores de riesgo y características socioeconómicas en niños en observación del Hospital Central de San Cristobal y Medicina Familiar / Factors of risks and socio-economic characteristics in children in observation of the Central Hospital of San Cristobal and Familiar Medicine

Se presenta un estudio prospectivo en 200 pacientes pediátricos en edades comprendidas entre 1 a 12 añosdivididos en tres grupos: Grupo 1 con 100 niños en observación pediátrica del Hospital Central de San Cristóbal (HCSC), Grupo 2 con 37 niños de la consulta curativa de la Unidad de Medicina II de Medicina Familiar, y grupo control con 63 niños de la consulta preventiva de la misma Unidad. En un período de 3 meses. El estudio reveló que más de la mitad de las consultas se debieron a enfermedades prevenibles y medianamente prevenibles. El 95,5 por ciento de los niños estudiados viven en casa o apartamento. Los servicios básicos de agua potable, disposición de excretas y basura son satisfactorios (todos superiores al 93 por ciento). La mayoría de las madres trabajan fuera del hogar (53 por ciento). Un porcentaje considerable de niños no reciben ningún tipo de atención (15 por ciento). Un elevado porcentaje de niños pertenecen a hogares con necesidades básicas insatisfechas y alto índice de hacimanmiento (43,5 por ciento) en ambos grupos