Meu Deus, lá vem ele de novo! O cuidado à saúde aos "hiperutilizadores" na Atenção Básica / ¡Ay, Dios mío, él otra vez! El cuidado de la salud a los "hiperutilizadores" en la Atención Básica / Oh my God, they are here again! Providing health assistance for high users in Primary Care

Este artigo visa analisar aspectos no cuidado aos "hiperutilizadores" na Atenção Básica por meio da percepção dos profissionais e dos usuários. Foi realizada uma pesquisa qualitativa de caráter exploratório, do tipo estudo de caso, em que "hiperutilizadores" e profissionais foram entrevistados. A maneira como os profissionais definem quem é um usuário "hiperutilizador" é mais complexa do que o número total de consultas realizadas, passando pela identificação das necessidades em saúde que motivam a busca por cuidados. Os usuários com necessidades que extrapolam o alcance do modelo biomédico muitas vezes não têm as suas necessidades corretamente identificadas ou consideradas legítimas, e são considerados "hiperutilizadores" independentemente do número de consultas. O estudo serviu como um analisador da Atenção Básica à Saúde (ABS). Mantém-se um modelo ainda centrado na racionalidade biomédica, com pouca abertura para a "vida como ela é" e para o conhecimento e o "agir-leigo". (AU)

El objetivo de este artículo es analizar aspectos en el cuidado a los "hiperutilizadores" en la atención básica, a partir de la percepción de los profesionales y de los usuarios. Se realizó una investigación cualitativa, de carácter exploratorio, del tipo estudio de caso, en la que fueron entrevistados "hiperutilizadores" y profesionales. La manera en que los profesionales definen quién es un usuario "hiperutilizador" es más compleja que el número total de consultas realizadas y pasa por la identificación de las necesidades de salud que motivan la búsqueda de cuidados. Los usuarios con necesidades que extrapolan el alcance del modelo biomédico, muchas veces no tienen sus necesidades correctamente identificadas o consideradas legítimas y son considerados "hiperutilizadores", independientemente del número de consultas. El estudio sirvió como un analizador de la ABS. Se mantiene un modelo que todavía está centrado en la racionalidad biomédica, con poca apertura para la "vida tal como es" y para el conocimiento y el "actuar-lego". (AU)

This article aims to analyze aspects involved in the health assistance provided for "high users" in primary care, based on the perception of professionals and users. A qualitative and exploratory case study was carried out in which "high users" and professionals were interviewed. The way in which primary care professionals define who is a "high user" is more complex than the total number of medical consultations and involves identifying the health needs that motivate users to seek assistance. Users whose needs are beyond the scope of the biomedical model often do not have their needs correctly identified or considered legitimate and are viewed as "high users" regardless of the number of appointments. The study served as an analyzer of primary care. A model still centered on the biomedical rationality is maintained, with little opening to "life as it is" and to "lay-action" and knowledge. (AU)

El desempeño del primer nivel y su relación con las hospitalizaciones evitables / The primary care performance and its relationship with preventable hospitalizations

INTRODUCCIÓN. El enfoque de atención primaria en el diseño de servicios de salud sigue siendo importante. La coordinación asistencial y la continuidad de la atención son ejes fundamentales para el abordaje de las enfermedades crónicas no transmisibles como la diabetes mellitus, que ha sido catalogada como enfermedad susceptible de cuidados ambulatorios. Las tasas de hospitalización elevadas por este tipo de condiciones reflejan una atención ambulatoria deficiente e inadecuada para el problema de salud estudiado, lo que implica que la población no accedió a la atención, o que esta no es resolutiva. MATERIALES Y MÉTODOS. Se analizaron todas las consultas de emergencia, en 12 meses en un hospital de Quito, se buscaron consultas externas de pacientes en todos los establecimientos de primer nivel del MSP antes de la consulta por emergencia, desde el 1 de enero de 2015 hasta un día antes de la consulta por emergencia. RESULTADOS. De 41 pacientes atendidos con diagnóstico de enfermedades evitables 58% eran mujeres, 43% (18) requirió hospitalización. El promedio de días de hospitalización fue 6,51, con una dispersión de 13,0; el de consultas externas previo a la emergencia fue 3,07, con máximo 22 consultas. Los hospitalizados tuvieron, en promedio, 5,05 consultas externas antes de la emergencia y hospitalización, aproximadamente 4 más que el promedio (0,95) de los pacientes no hospitalizados. DISCUSIÓN. las elevadas tasas de hospitalización podrían reflejar una atención primaria deficiente, lo que implica que la población no accedió a la atención, sin embargo, habría que analizar la gravedad de los pacientes.

INTRODUCTION. Primary care services are important for the delivery of comprehensive health services. The coordination and continuity of care are the main characteristics to approach non-communicable diseases like diabetes mellitus, which has been classified as ambulatory care sensitive condition. The high hospitalization rate might reveal poor and inadequate out-patient care, implying that the population did not access care, or that care was not effective. MATERIALS AND METHODS. All emergency consultations within 12 months in one hospital in Quito were analyzed according to their ICD-10 codes. They were compared with the consultations at the first level of care facilities of the Ministry of Public Health, from January 1st, 2015 until one day before the emergency consultation. RESULTS. Of 41 patients who attended with a diagnosis of preventable diseases 58% were wo-men, 43% (18) required hospitalization. The average number of days of hospitalization was 6.51, with a dispersion of 13.0; the number of external consultations prior to the emergency was 3.07, with a maximum of 22 consultations. The hospitalized patients had, on average, 5.05 outpatient visits before the emergency and hospitalization, approximately 4 more than the average (0.95) of the non-hospitalized patients. DISCUSSION. The high hospitalization rate, due to this condition, might reveal poor and inadequate ambulatory care, nevertheless it is necessary to analyze the severity of the cases in the studs.

Medicina de Familia y Comunidad y su papel en evitar los excesos sanitarios (preventivos, diagnósticos, terapéuticos y rehabilitadores) / Family and Community Medicine and its role in preventing health overuse (preventive, diagnostic, therapeutic and rehabilitative)

Resumen En Medicina es clave "ofrecer el 100% de lo que se precisa y evitar el 100% de lo que no se precisa". Lamentablemente, es difícil cumplir con esta cuestión clave y generalmente se ofrece más de lo que se precisa y no se evita todo lo que no se precisa. Este texto es una revisión no sistemática con objetivo docente en que se revisa el problema general en atención primaria y se proponen formas de evitar los excesos y defectos respecto a intervenciones preventivas, diagnósticas, terapéuticas y de rehabilitación. Saber no hacer es ciencia y arte que se enseña poco y se practica menos. Los excesos que dañan son parte casi diaria de la práctica clínica, en prevención, diagnóstico, tratamiento y rehabilitación. Es imprescindible fomentar "el arte y la ciencia de no hacer".

Abstract In Medicine, it is critical "to offer 100% of what is needed and avoid 100% of what is not needed." Unfortunately, this primary issue is challenging, and generally, more than required is offered, and everything that is unnecessary is not avoided. This is a nonsystematic review with a teaching objective that reviews the general issue in primary care and suggests ways to avoid overuse and shortcomings concerning preventive, diagnostic, therapeutic, and rehabilitative interventions. Knowing not to do is science and art that is hardly taught and practiced less. The overuse that harm are an almost daily part of clinical practice in prevention, diagnosis, treatment, and rehabilitation. It is essential to promote "the art and science of not doing".

Tiempos y barreras de acceso para procedimientos quirúrgicos electivos en la población de Viracachá (Boyacá, Colombia), durante el periodo 2018-2019 / Waiting Times and Barriers for Elective Surgical Procedures in the Population of Vira-cacha (Boyaca, Cololmbia) during the period 2018-2019 / empos e barreiras de acesso para procedimentos cirúrgicos eletivos na população de Viraca-chá (Boyacá, Colômbia), no período 2018-2019

Introducción: se ha descrito ampliamente que el acceso a procedimientos quirúrgicos oportunos es esencial para la equidad de atención en salud, bienestar, disminución de la morbimortalidad y aumento del desarrollo econó-mico. Las listas de espera de cirugías electivas son un problema para los sistemas de salud, debido al desequilibrio existente entre la demanda de pacientes y la capacidad para proveer oportunamente dichos procedimientos, prin-cipalmente en áreas rurales, donde están mucho más marcadas las restricciones financieras y geográficas, factores administrativos, creencias culturales y pobre educación. Objetivo: determinar los tiempos de espera y las barreras para procedimientos quirúrgicos electivos en pacientes atendidos en la ESE Centro de Salud de Viracachá (Boyacá, Colombia), durante 2018 y 2019. Metodología: estudio de seguimiento a una cohorte, con descripción sociodemográfica, clasificación de causas de demora de cirugía electiva y análisis por tipos de variables, mediante tasas persona-tiempo. Resultados: el 48,1 % de los pacientes tuvieron el procedimiento quirúrgico electivo; en general, se tuvo un tiempo de espera de 9,4 meses (DE = 3,4) y una tasa de operaciones por cada 100 meses de 5,13 (IC 95 %: 2,85-8,56). Los grupos con mayores tasas de operaciones por cada 100 meses fueron pacientes que pertenecían al estrato 1, los que percibieron una causa administrativa asociada con demora de la cirugía electiva y aquellos que tuvieron una cirugía ortopédica. Conclusión: las largas listas de espera para las cirugías electivas pueden tener un componente multifactorial, el cual es necesario identificar para plantear políticas estratégicas que permitan su acceso oportuno, principalmente en áreas rurales.

Introduction: it has been widely discussed that access to timely surgical procedures is essential in the search for population equity, always aiming for integrity in the health care system, reduction of mor-bimortality rates, and economic development. Waiting lists for surgical procedures have always been a huge problem for health systems due to the imbalance between patient's demand and the system's ca-pacity to provide such procedures efficiently, mainly in rural and remote areas where financial and geo-graphic restrictions, administrative factors, cultural beliefs, and poor education are much more present. Objective: to determine waiting times and barriers for the performance of ambulatory surgical proce-dures in treated patients ESE Centro de Salud de Viracacha (Boyaca, Colombia) between 2018 and 2019. Methodology: a following-up one cohort was performed, describing sociodemographic characteris-tics, elective surgery delay classification, and analysis by types of variables using person-time rates. Results: the elective surgery was done in 48.1% of the patients with a waiting time estimated in 9,4 months (ED=3.4). The operational rates per 100 months was 5.13 (CI95 %: 2.85­8.56). The groups who represent higher operational rates per 100 months were: patients who has socioeconomic status 1, the group who perceived an administrative cause associated with the elective surgery delay and those who had an orthopedic surgery. Conclusion: long waiting lists for elective surgeries may have a multifactorial component that must be identified to propose strategic policies that allow timely access to them, mainly in rural areas

ntrodução: é amplamente descrito que o acesso a procedimentos cirúrgicos oportunos são essen-ciais para a eqüidade na atenção à saúde, bem-estar, redução da morbimortalidade e aumento do desenvol-vimento econômico. As listas de espera para cirurgias eletivas são um problema para os sistemas de saúde, devido ao desequilíbrio existente entre a demanda de pacientes e a capacidade de realizar esses procedimentos em tempo hábil, principalmente em áreas rurais, onde as restrições financeiras e geo-gráficas são muito mais acentuadas, fatores administrativos, crenças culturais e educação deficiente. Objetivo: determinar os tempos de espera e as barreiras para procedimentos cirúrgicos eletivos em pacientes atendidos na ESE Centro de Salud de Viracachá (Boyacá, Colômbia), durante os anos de 2018 e 2019. Metodologia: estudo de acompanhamento de uma turma, com descrição sociodemo-gráfi-ca, classificação das causas do atraso cirúrgico eletivo e análise por tipos de variáveis, usando taxas de pessoa-tempo. Resultados: 48,1% dos pacientes realizaram o procedimento cirúrgico eletivo; em ge-ral, houve um tempo de espera de 9,4 meses (DP = 3,4) e uma taxa de operações por 100 meses de 5,13 (IC 95%: 2,85-8,56). Os grupos com maiores taxas de operações por 100 meses foram os paci-entes que per-tenciam ao estrato 1, aqueles que perceberam uma causa administrativa associada ao atra-so na cirurgia eletiva e aqueles que fizeram cirurgia ortopédica. Conclusão: as longas filas de espera para cirurgias eletivas podem ter um componente multifatorial, que deve ser identificado para propor políticas estratégicas que possibilitem o acesso oportuno, prin-cipalmente, no rural.

Revisión sistemática: costo-efectividad, acceso y adherencia a programas de ejercicio supervisado en pacientes con claudicación intermitente / Systematic review: cost-effectiveness, access and adherence to supervised exercise programs in patients with intermittent claudication

OBJETIVO: Determinar las razones de la escasa derivación, acceso, y adherencia a programas de ejercicio supervisado (PES) en pacientes con claudicación intermitente (CI) y la costo-efectividad de estos programas a nivel Internacional. MÉTODOS: Se utilizaron las fuentes de datos de PubMed y ScienceDirect. Se incluyeron revisiones con acceso completo, publicados desde el año 2010, que incluían como mínimo 3 artículos de tipo cuantitativo. RESULTADOS: Se incluyeron 5 Revisiones asociadas a los resultados del ejercicio supervisado, su costo-efectividad, la baja derivación y adherencia a PES de los pacientes con CI. En cuanto a la costo-efectividad los resultados indican que los PES fueron rentables con un ICER de £711 a £1.608 por QALY ganado al compararlos con ejercicio no supervisado, y al compararlos con la cirugía de revascularización (CR) no hay diferencia significativa en QALY ganados, sin embargo, el costo por QALY fue €381.694 más alto para la CR. Por otro lado, las principales razones de la subutilización de los PES, es que los pacientes se resisten a asistir, ya que involucra un esfuerzo y responsabilidad, además de tener problemas de reembolso, teniendo baja adherencia. Sumado a esto, el interés personal de los médicos por realizar intervenciones que involucran pago por servicio produce una baja derivación (45% de cirujanos en Europa refieren menos del 50% de sus pacientes). CONCLUSIÓN: Las principales dificultades para adoptar los PES serían una carencia en la destinación de recursos, falta de centros, dificultad de traslado, falta de tiempo, o de interés por parte de los pacientes, además de incentivos financieros a otras alternativas de tratamiento por sobre PES lo que limita su derivación.

OBJECTIVE: To determine the reasons for the limited derivation, access and adherence to supervised exercise programs (SEP) in patients with intermittent claudication (IC) and the cost-effectiveness of these programs internationally. METHODS: PubMed and ScienceDirect databases were searched. Revisions with full access, published since 2010, which included at least 3 quantitative type articles. RESULTS: 5 reviews were included, these were associated with the results of the supervised exercise, its cost-effectiveness, the low referral and adherence to programs of patients with IC. Regarding cost-effectiveness, the results indicated that SEP were more cost-effective with an ICER of £711 to £1.608 per QALY gained when compared with unsupervised exercise, and that when compared with revascularization surgery (RC) there was no significant difference in QALYs, however the cost per QALY was € 381.694 higher for the RC. On the other hand, the main reasons for the underutilization of SEP are that patients are reluctant to attend, since it involves effort and responsibility, in addition to having reimbursement problems, therefore having low adherence. Added to this, the personal interest of doctors in performing interventions that involve payment for service produce a low referral (45% of surgeons in Europe refer less than 50% of their patients) CONCLUSION: The main difficulties in adopting the SEP would be a lack in the allocation of resources, lack of centers, difficulty of transportation, lack of time or lack of interest from patients, in addition to financial incentives to other treatment alternatives over SEP, which limits their referral.

Fatores do absenteísmo em primeira consulta num ambulatório de oncologia em um Hospital Universitário / xxx

RESUMO Introdução: o absenteísmo dos usuários de sistemas de saúde representa um grande problema para as organizações. O objetivo deste estudo foi identificar as razões para o absenteísmo dos pacientes em consulta médicas. Metodologia: pesquisa de campo nos ambulatórios de oncologia do Hospital das Clínicas da Faculdade de Medicina de Ribeirão Preto. Os pacientes que não compareceram à primeira consulta em 2013 (356) foram contatados por meio telefônico, dos quais 299 não foi possível o contato por apresentarem telefone inválido, desligado, fora da área de cobertura ou por não atenderem a ligação. Resultados: 57 pacientes foram entrevistados e apontaram os motivos para falta. As respostas foram categorizadas. Os resultados mostraram que 27 pacientes (47%) não compareceram à consulta por motivos relacionados ao indivíduo ou comportamento, sendo "consultei-me em outro lugar" o mais recorrente (12,30%), seguido de "consulta coincidiu com outro compromisso" (7,02%) e "não me lembro o motivo" (7,02%). Individualmente, o motivo mais citado pelos pacientes foi "eu não faltei a consulta" (31,6%), o que sugere problemas de comunicação. Conclusão: as principais razões para o absenteísmo estão relacionadas ao indivíduo e que problemas de cadastro do paciente e comunicação dificultam a compreensão das causas do absenteísmo. (AU)

ABSTRACT Introduction: absenteeism of health system users is a major problem for organizations. The study aimed to identify the factors of absenteeism in outpatients at the General Hospital of the Medical School of Ribeirão Preto oncology clinics. Methodology: patients who did not attend the first appointment in 2013 (356) were contacted by telephone, of which 299 were not able to contact because they presented an invalid telephone number, disconnected, outside the coverage area or because they did not answer the call. Results: 57 patients were interviewed and indicated reasons for no show. The answers were categorized. The results showed that 27 patients (47%) did not attend the appointment for reasons related to the individual or behavior, the cause "I had an appointment elsewhere" was the most recurrent (12.30%), followed by "the appointment happened at the same time of another commitment" (7.02%) and "I cannot remember the reason" (7.02%). Individually, the most cited reason by the patients was "I did not miss the appointment" 18 (31.6%), thus suggesting communication problems. Conclusion:the main reasons for absenteeism are related to the individual and problems of patient registration and communication make it difficult to understand the causes of absenteeism. (AU)

Task sharing for family planning services, Burkina Faso

Problem: In Burkina Faso, the coverage of services for family planning is low due to shortage of qualified health staff and limited access to services.Approach:Following the launch of the Ouagadougou Partnership, an alliance to catalyse the expansion of family planning services, the health ministry created a consortium of family planning stakeholders in 2011. The consortium adopted a collaborative framework to implement a pilot project for task sharing in family planning at community and primary health-care centre levels in two rural districts. Stakeholders were responsible for their areas of expertise. These areas included advocacy; monitoring and evaluation; and capacity development of community health workers (CHWs) to offer oral and injectable contraceptives to new users and of auxiliary nurses and auxiliary midwives to provide implants and intrauterine devices. The health ministry implemented supportive supervision cascades involving relevant planning and service levels.Local setting In Burkina Faso, only 15% (2563/17 087) of married women used modern contraceptives in 2010.Relevant changes Adoption of new policies and clinical care standards expanded task sharing roles in family planning. The consortium trained a total of 79 CHWs and 124 auxiliary nurses and midwives. Between January 2017 and December 2018, CHWs provided injectables to 3698 new users, and auxiliary nurses or midwives provided 726 intrauterine devices and 2574 implants to new users. No safety issues were reported.Lessons learnt The pilot project was feasible and safe, however, financial constraints are hindering scale-up efforts. Supportive supervision cascades were critical in ensuring success

Comparing static and outreach immunization strategies and associated factors in Uganda, Nov-Dec 2016

Introduction: the government of Uganda aims at reducing childhood morbidity through provision of immunization services. We compared the proportion of children 12-33 months reached using either static or outreach immunization strategies and factors affecting utilization of routine vaccination services in order to inform policy updates.Methods: we adopted the 2015 vaccination coverage cluster survey technique. The sample selection was based on a stratified three-stage sample design. Using the Fleiss formula, a sample of 50 enumeration areas was sufficient to generate immunization coverages at each region. A total of 200 enumeration areas were selected for the survey. Thirty households were selected per enumeration area. Epi-Info software was used to calculate weighted coverage estimates.Results: among the 2231 vaccinated children aged 12-23 months who participated in the survey, 68.1% received immunization services from a health unit and 10.6% from outreaches. The factors that affected utilization of routine vaccination services were; accessibility, where 78.2% resided within 5km from a health facility. 29.7% missed vaccination due to lack of vaccines at the health facility. Other reasons were lack of supplies at 39.2% and because the caretaker had other things to do, 26.4%. The survey showed 1.8% (40/2271) respondents had not vaccinated their children. Among these, 70% said they had not vaccinated their child because they were busy doing other things and 27.5% had not done so because of lack of motivation.Conclusion: almost 7 in 10 children aged 12-23 months access vaccination at health facilities. There is evidence of parental apathy as well as misconceptions about vaccination

Uso de los servicios de urgencias en Bogotá, Colombia: Un análisis desde el Triaje / Use of emergency services in Bogotá, Colombia: An analysis from the triage

Resumen Introducción: Los servicios de urgencias son puntos críticos para la calidad de la atención. Comprender los motivos de su uso aporta al mejoramiento de los sistemas de salud. Objetivo: Se describieron las características de afiliados al régimen contributivo que usaron servicios de urgencias en tres hospitales de nivel III de complejidad en Bogotá, así como las impresiones diagnósticas y distribución cronológica de la demanda, de acuerdo con los datos obtenidos al momento de ser clasificados en el Triaje. Materiales y métodos: Se realizó un estudio de corte transversal, con base en registros de Triaje en el lapso comprendido entre 1 de octubre de 2012 a 31 de marzo de 2013. Resultados: Un tercio de los registros fueron clasificados como consultas médicas no urgentes; el día lunes tuvo el mayor número de atenciones; las urgencias tuvieron un comportamiento diurno; variables como: sexo femenino, condición de afiliación como cotizante al sistema de salud y tener edad para trabajar, se asociaron con diferencias en la clasificación del Triaje al momento de demandar las urgencias. Conclusión: El uso de los servicios de urgencias está influenciado por la relación entre: características demográficas, condición de afiliación al sistema de salud y clasificación del Triaje.

Abstract Introduction: Emergency services are critical points for the quality of care. Understanding the reasons for their use contributes to the improvement of health systems. Objective: To describe the characteristics of members of the contributory regime who used emergency services in three level III hospitals of complexity in Bogotá, as well as the diagnostic impressions and chronological distribution of the demand, according to the data obtained at the time of being classified in the triage. Materials and methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted based on triage records from October 1, 2012 to March 31, 2013. Results: A third of the records were classified as non-urgent medical consultation. Monday had the greatest number of attentions. Emergencies had daytime behavior. Variables such as: female sex, membership status as a contributor to the health system and age to work were associated with differences in the classification of triage at the time of demand for emergencies. Conclusion: The use of the emergency services is influenced by the relation between: demographic characteristics, condition of affiliation to the health system and classification of the triage.

Associação do perfil de usuários frequentes com as características de utilização de um serviço de emergência / Association of the frequent users profile with the characteristics of using an emergency service / Asociación del perfil de usuarios frecuentes con las características de uso de un servicio de emergencias

OBJETIVO: caracterizar o perfil e os atendimentos dos usuários frequentes de um serviço de emergência e associar as características sociodemográficas e clínicas dos usuários com as características de utilização do serviço. MÉTODO: estudo retrospectivo e analítico realizado no serviço de emergência de um hospital universitário localizado no município de São Paulo. Foram incluídos prontuários dos pacientes que procuraram o serviço de emergência no mínimo quatro vezes num período de 12 meses entre setembro de 2013 e agosto de 2014. RESULTADOS: incluídos 480 prontuários (2.808 atendimentos). A média de atendimentos foi de 5,85, sendo que a amostra variou de quatro a 28 atendimentos. Foram classificados como verdes após a classificação de risco 44,4% dos pacientes; como laranja, 13,1%; e como vermelho 8,1%, sendo que a maioria desses atendimentos foi realizada às segundas-feiras; 69,1% tiveram como desfecho a alta hospitalar. Predominaram os atendimentos não urgentes. CONCLUSÃO: os serviços de emergência podem elaborar estratégias junto com as unidades básicas de saúde que facilitem o gerenciamento dos casos a fim de suprir integralmente as necessidades dos usuários no nível adequado de assistência, implementando um sistema de fluxo de referência e contrarreferência dos pacientes.

Objective: to characterize the profile and outpatient care of frequent users of an emergency service, and to associate the sociodemographic and clinical patterns of users with the purpose of the emergency service. Method: Retrospective analysis and analytical examination performed at the Emergency Department of a university hospital, located in the city of São Paulo. Were used Patient records who sought emergency care at least four times in a twelve-month period, from September 2013 to August 2014. Results: Included 480 patient records (2,808 visits). The mean number of visits was 5.85, and the sample ranged from 4 to 28 visits. 44.4% of the patients were classified as green after a risk classification, 13.1% as orange and 8.1% as red, and the majority of these visits were performed on Mondays. 69.1% had the outcome of hospital discharge. Non-urgency visits predominated. Conclusion: Emergency services can develop strategies together with Basic Health Units that facilitate case management to fully meet users needs at the appropriate level of care, implementing a system flow and counter flow of patients.

Health information sources awareness, use and service delivery of resident doctors in babcock university teaching hospital, Ogun state

The study investigated the relationship between health information source awareness, use and service delivery of resident doctors in Babcock University Teaching Hospital. The study adopted descriptive research design. Out of the 60 copies of questionnaire administered to all the resident doctors, 52 (87%) were returned and used for the study. The data were analyzed using percentages, mean and Pearson Product Method correlation. The findings revealed there is no significant relationship between health information use and service delivery (r = 452, p < .05). The findings also revealed that the major health information sources consulted in Babcock University Teaching Hospital by resident doctors were medical textbooks, internet and personal collections. The major challenges facing resident doctors in Babcock University Teaching Hospital were non-availability of relevant information, inadequate information retrieval skills, lack of accessibility of sources. The study concluded that there is a need to provide more relevant materials and enhance the internet service in order to improve the quality of service delivery of resident doctors. Key words: health information sources use, awareness, service delivery, resident doctors.

Dignificando el Final de la Vida en Cuidados Intensivos / Dignifying the End of Life in the Intensive Care Unit

Con frecuencia, cuando una persona se enferma, comienza un complicado proceso de consultas médicas, utilización de sofisticados medios auxiliares de diagnóstico, e instauración de tratamientos cada vez más complejos y costosos. Cuando, en vez de curar la enfermedad progresa; el enfermo se ve abrumado por la aplicación de nuevas exploraciones altamente tecnificadas que persiguen alcanzar un diagnóstico más preciso de la enfermedad a fin de instaurar medidas terapéuticas más agresivas. Como es de esperar, en muchos casos la enfermedad sigue su curso y llega un momento en el que tanto el paciente como sus allegados y el equipo médico se preguntan hasta qué punto es razonable continuar. Esta encrucijada es el punto de decisión de aceptar el final de la vida como evento natural. Pero en muchos casos se percibe como un fracaso, y no como la historia natural de los procesos graves.

Frequently, when a person falls ill, a complicated process of medical visits, use of sophisticated auxiliary means for diagnosis, and the establishment of treatments that are becoming more and more complex and expensive starts. When, instead of the patient's getting cured, the illness advances, the patient becomes overwhelmed due to the new and highly developed explorations that pursue a more precise diagnosis of the illness in order to establish more aggressive therapeutic measures. As it is expected, the illness, in many cases, continues advancing and reaches a moment in which both the patient and their close relatives, as well as the medical team, wonder until when it is still reasonable to continue with the treatments. This crossroads is the point of decision to accept death as a natural event. Most of the times, nevertheless, death is perceived as a failure, not as the natural story of serious processes.

Impacto da solicitação de tomografias computadorizadas cranianas na investigação diagnóstica da migrânea / Impact of cranial computed tomography scan requests on migraine diagnostic investigation

No presente trabalho teve-se como objetivo avaliar a frequência de exames de tomografia computadorizada craniana (TCC) em pacientes portadores de cefaleia. O estudo baseou-se na aplicação do questionário Migrânea-ID em 166 portadores de cefaleia que procuraram um serviço de imagem para realização de TCC com o intuito de estabelecer o diagnóstico diferencial entre a migrânea e outras afecções neurológicas. 102 (61,45%) pacientes tinham diagnóstico positivo para migrânea e realizaram TCCs sendo que 145 (87,3%) do total da amostra não tiveram alteração nesse exame de imagem. Os indivíduos do estudo apresentaram um elevado índice de normalidade nas TCCs, justificando o fato de na maioria das vezes serem solicitadas desnecessariamente.

Sobreuso de mamografía para rastreo en un hospital académico de Buenos Aires / Overuse of screening mammography at an academic medical center in Buenos Aires

INTRODUCCIÓN: el rastreo de cáncer de mama en lapoblación general asintomática no está recomendado en mujeresmenores de 40 años y es controvertido en las de 40 a 49 años. Eluso inadecuado de mamografía con fines de rastreo (sobreuso) y suconsecuencia, el sobrediagnóstico, pueden conducir a tratamientosagresivos. OBJETIVO: Reportar la proporción de mamografíasinapropiadamente realizadas en mujeres menores de 50 añosafiliadas a un plan de salud de un proveedor de medicina prepaga.MÉTODOS: Se efectuó un estudio observacional de corte transversal.Se identificó a las mujeres de 18-39 y de 40-49 años afiliadas al plande salud del Hospital Italiano de Buenos Aires que se habían realizadoal menos una mamografía en 2012. Se revisaron las historiasclínicas de 200 pacientes en cada grupo de edad para determinarsi la mamografía había sido solicitada para rastreo de cáncer demama. RESULTADOS: Durante 2012, 1 533 mujeres de 18-39 añosse realizaron una mamografía. En 96 de las 200 historias revisadas,esta prueba había sido solicitada con fines de rastreo (48%; IC 95%:40,9-55,2%). Entre las mujeres de 40-49 años, 4 432 tenían unamamografía efectuada ese año. Se revisaron 199 historias clínicas;en 105 casos, el estudio había sido solicitado con fines de rastreo(52,8%; IC 95%: 45,6-59,9%). No se realizó ningún diagnóstico decáncer de mama como consecuencia de esta estrategia de rastreo.CONCLUSIONES: La alta proporción de sobreuso de mamografíapara rastreo es especialmente preocupante entre las mujeres másjóvenes y revela la dificultad que los médicos pueden tener paraadoptar las guías de práctica clínica más actualizadas.

INTRODUCTION: breast cancer screening in the generalasymptomatic population is not recommended in women youngerthan 40 years old, and it is controversial among women aged 40 to49 years. Overuse of screening mammography and its consequence,overdiagnosis, can lead to aggressive treatments. OBJECTIVE: To reportthe proportion of mammograms that were performed for breast cancerscreening among women younger than 50 years old enrolled in aprivate Health Insurance Plan in Buenos Aires, Argentina. METHODS:A cross-sectional observational study was performed. Among womenaged 18 to 39 and 40 to 49 years old enrolled in a private health plan(Hospital Italiano de Buenos Aires), those with a mammogram conductedin 2012 were identified. Of them, 200 in each age group wererandomly selected. Their medical charts were reviewed to determine ifthe mammography had been performed for breast cancer screeningpurposes. RESULTS: During 2012, 1533 women aged 18 to 39 years oldhad a mammogram conducted. Of them, 200 charts were reviewed, 96of which were determined to have a screening mammography (overuseproportion: 48%; 95% CI: 40.9-55.2%). Among women aged 40 to49, 4 432 had a mammography performed during 2012. The chartsof 199 of these women were reviewed. The mammogram had beenconducted for screening purposes in 105 cases (overuse proportion:52.8%; 95% CI: 45.6-59.9%). There was no diagnosis of breast canceras a result of these screening mammograms. CONCLUSIONS: Thishigh overuse of screening mammography is particularly concerningamong the younger women and highlights the difficulty physiciansmay have to adopt the most updated guidelines.

Evaluación de la categorización de las urgencias gineco-obstétricas en un hospital del sur de Chile / Evaluation of the categorization of gynecological-obstetric emergencies in a hospital in southern Chile

OBJETIVO: Caracterizar las consultas de urgencias gineco-obstétricas de un Hospital del sur de Chile en el año 2013. MÉTODOS: Estudio descriptivo de corte transversal retrospectivo. Se analizaron los registros de la urgencia gineco-obstétrica (UGO) durante el primer semestre del 2013 que ascendieron a 4.898 consultas. RESULTADOS: Un 85% (n=4.155) de las consultas atendidas en UGO fueron pacientes que concurrieron directamente desde su domicilio. El 67,9% (n=3.495) de las atenciones en la UGO se otorgaron en horario diurno promediando 815 consultas por mes. Los principales motivos de consulta fueron otras patologías asociadas al embarazo tales como enfermedades respiratorias agudas, transgresión alimentaria, alergias, hiperémesis gravídica, molestias mecánicas (19,5%, n=897), el trabajo de parto y el parto (7,4%, n=342) y la vulvovaginitis (6,5%, n=302). El 65% (n=2.835) del total de las urgencias gineco-obstétricas con datos completos fueron bien categorizadas según el protocolo de priorización del hospital de estudio. Un 96,6% (n=167) de las pacientes no requirió trasladó a un centro hospitalario de mayor complejidad. CONCLUSIONES: Existe una sobre-utilización de la red de urgencia gineco-obstétrica por parte de las usuarias, colapsando el nivel terciario de atención con patologías que podrían ser resueltas en el nivel primario. Desde la matro-nería se debería liderar la instauración de un instrumento específico de TRIAGE gineco-obstétrico, como también la educación a la comunidad sobre uso adecuado de la red asistencial de nuestro país.

OBJETIVE: To characterize obstetric and gynecological consultations at the emergency department of a hospital in southern Chile in 2013. METHODS: Cross-sectional descriptive retrospective study. Obstetric and gynecological emergency department records (OGE) were analyzed during the first half of 2013 which amounted to 4,898. RESULTS: 85% (n=4155) of the consultations assisted at OGE were patients who attended directly from home. 67.9% (n=3,495) of attentions at the OGE were developed in daytime averaging 815 visits per month. The main reasons of consultation were other diseases of pregnancy such as acute respiratory diseases, food transgression, allergies, hyperemesis gravidarum, mechanical discomforts (19.5%, n=897), labor and delivery (7.4%, n=342) and vulvovaginitis (6.5%, n=302). 65% (n=2835) of all gynecological obstetric emergencies with complete data were well categorized according to protocol prioritization studied hospital. A 96.6% of the patients did not require transfer to a high complexity hospital.CONCLUSIONS: There is an over-utilization of the obstetric and gynecological emergency network by users, collapsing the tertiary level of care with diseases that could be resolved at the primary level. The midwifery should lead the creation of a specific instrument TRIAGE obstetrics and gynecology, as well as community education on proper use of the healthcare network in our country.

Qualidade do cuidado em saúde e a iniciativa “Choosing Wisely” / Healthcare quality and “Choosing Wisely” initiative / /Calidad del cuidado en la salud y la iniciativa “Choosing Wisely”

A partir de uma campanha conduzida pela Fundação American Board of Internal Medicine (ABIM),teve início em 2011 a Iniciativa Choosing Wisely, quando várias associações norte-americanas de distintas especialidades médicas apresentaram listas de procedimentos utilizados de maneira excessiva e, consequentemente, inapropriada. Neste artigo, buscou-se destacar as relações entre a qualidade do cuidado, a variação injustificada na oferta de procedimentos e as iniciativas para redução da sobreutilização desses procedimentos. Além de uma metodologia adequada, alguns critérios devem ser levados em conta para se avaliar se o uso de determinados procedimentos é, ou não, recomendável. Entre os principais,encontram-se: a transparência e a participação de um grupo mais amplo de profissionais, incluindo diversas especialidades; a seleção de procedimentos de modo a evitar os que têm utilidade cientificamente questionável no tocante à melhora da saúde, além de custos impactantes, desproporcionais aos possíveis benefícios, para os serviços de saúde; a possibilidade de medir e avaliar esses procedimentos; ausência de conflito de interesses ou corporativismos...

From a campaign driven by the American Board of Internal Medicine (ABIM) Foundation, the ChoosingWisely Initiative began in 2011 when several US societies from different medical specialties presented listsof procedures that are used excessively and therefore inappropriate. In this article we sought to highlightthe relationship between healthcare quality, unjustified variation in supply of low-value procedures and theinitiatives to reduce the overuse of those procedures. In addition to appropriate methodology, one shouldtake account of criteria to evaluate whether or not the use of given procedures is recommended. The mostimportant criteria are: the transparency and participation of a broader group of professionals, includingdifferent specialties; selection of procedures whose utility with regard to improving health is scientificallyquestionable and its costs to health services are excessive relative to benefits; the possibilty to measure andevaluate these procedures; the absence of any conflict of interest or corporatism...

A partir de una campaña llevada a cabo por la Fundación American Board of Internal Medicine (ABIM),iniciada en 2011, la Iniciativa Choosing Wisely cuando distintas asociaciones norteamericanas dedistintas especialidades médicas presentaran listas de procedimientos utilizados de forma excessiva e, porconsiguiente, inapropriada. En este artículo hemos tratado de poner de relieve las relaciones entre la calidadde la atención, la variación injustificada en la oferta de los procedimientos y las iniciativas para reducir lasobreutilización de ellos. Además de una metodología adecuada, deben tenerse en cuenta ciertos criteriospara evaluar si es recomendado el uso de ciertos procedimientos. Entre los principales, están: la transparenciay la participación de un grupo más amplio de profesionales, incluyendo diversas especialidades; la selecciónde procedimientos con el fin de evitar aquellos que tienen utilidad científicamente cuestionable con relacióna la mejora de la salud, y los costes desproporcionados a los beneficios potenciales, impactantes para losservicios de salud; la posibilidad de mensurar y evaluar estos procedimentos; ausencia de conflicto deintereses o corporativismos...

Trends in the Use of Chemotherapy before and after Radical Cystectomy in Patients with Muscle-invasive Bladder Cancer in Korea

We investigated trends in perioperative chemotherapy use, and determined factors associated with neoadjuvant chemotherapy (NAC) and adjuvant chemotherapy (AC) use in Korean patients with muscle-invasive bladder cancer (MIBC). We recruited 1,324 patients who had MIBC without nodal invasion or metastases and had undergone radical cystectomies (RC) between 2003 and 2013. The study's cut-off time for AC was three months after surgery, and the study's timespan was divided into three periods based on NAC use, namely, 2003-2005, 2006-2009, and 2010-2013. Complete remission was defined as histologically confirmed T0N0M0 after RC. NAC and AC were administered to 7.3% and 18.1% of the patients, respectively. The median time interval between completing NAC and undergoing RC was 32 days and the mean number of cycles was 3.2. The median time interval between RC and AC was 43 days and the mean number of cycles was 4.1. Gemcitabine and cisplatin were most frequently used in combination for NAC (49.0%) and AC (74.9%). NAC use increased significantly from 4.6% between 2003 and 2005 to 8.4% between 2010 and 2013 (P < 0.05), but AC use did not increase. Only 1.9% of patients received NAC and AC. Complete remission after NAC was achieved in 12 patients (12.5%). Multivariable modeling revealed that an advanced age, the earliest time period analyzed, and clinical tumor stage < or = cT2 bladder cancer were negatively associated with NAC use (P < 0.05). While NAC use has slowly increased over time, it remains an underutilized therapeutic approach in Korean clinical practice.