Virtual assistant: a tool for health co-production in coping with covid-19 / Asistente virtual: una herramienta para co-producción en salud con el fin de hacer frente al covid-19 / Assistente virtual: ferramenta para coprodução em saúde no enfrentamento à covid-19

ABSTRACT Objective: to describe the development of a virtual assistant as a potential tool for health co-production in coping with COVID-19. Method: this is an applied technological production research study developed in March and April 2020 in five stages: 1) literature review, 2) content definition, 3) elaboration of the dialog, 4) test of the prototype, and 5) integration with the social media page. Results: the literature review gathered diverse scientific evidence about the disease based on the Brazilian Ministry of Health publications and by consulting scientific articles. The content was built from the questions most asked by the population, in March 2020, evidenced by Google Trends, in which the following topics emerged: concept of the disease, prevention means, transmission of the disease, main symptoms, treatment modalities, and doubts. Elaboration of the dialog was based on Natural Language Processing, intentions, entities and dialog structure. The prototype was tested in a laboratory with a small number of user computers on a local network to verify the functionality of the set of apps, technical and visual errors in the dialog, and whether the answers provided were in accordance with the user's question, answering the questions correctly and integrated into Facebook. Conclusion: the virtual assistant proved to be a health education tool with potential to combat "Fake News". It also represents a patient-centered form of health communication that favors the strengthening of the bond and interaction between health professionals and patients, promoting co-production in health.

RESUMEN Objetivo: describir el desarrollo de un asistente virtual como posible herramienta para la co-producción en salud a fin de hacer frente al COVID-19. Método: trabajo de investigación aplicado de producción tecnológica, desarrollado en marzo y abril de 2020 en cinco etapas: 1) revisión de la literatura, 2) definición del contenido, 3) elaboración del diálogo, 4) prueba del prototipo y 5) integración con la página web del medio social. Resultados: en la revisión de la literatura se reunieron evidencias científicas sobre la enfermedad a partir de las publicaciones del Ministerio de Salud de Brasil, al igual que sobre la base de consultas en artículos científicos. El contenido se elaboró a partir de las preguntas más frecuentes de la población, en marzo de 2020, puestas en evidencia por medio de Google Trends, donde surgieron los siguientes temas: concepto de la enfermedad, formas de prevención, transmisión de la enfermedad, principales síntomas, modalidades de tratamiento y dudas. La elaboración del diálogo se basó en el Procesamiento de Lenguaje Natural, en intenciones, en entidades y en la estructura del diálogo. El prototipo se puso a prueba en un laboratorio con una cantidad reducida de computadoras usuario en una red local para verificar la funcionalidad del conjunto de aplicaciones, errores técnicos y visuales acerca del diálogo, y si las respuestas proporcionadas estaban de acuerdo con la pregunta del usuario, respondiendo correctamente los interrogantes e integrado a Facebook. Conclusión: el asistente virtual demostró ser una herramienta de educación en salud con potencial para combatir Fake News. También representa una forma de comunicación en salud centrada en el paciente que favorece el fortalecimiento del vínculo y la interacción entre profesionales de la salud y pacientes, promoviendo así la coproducción en salud.

RESUMO Objetivo: descrever o desenvolvimento de um assistente virtual como ferramenta potencial para a coprodução em saúde no enfrentamento à COVID-19. Método: trata-se de uma pesquisa aplicada de produção tecnológica, desenvolvida nos meses de março e abril de 2020 em cinco etapas: 1) revisão de literatura, 2) definição de conteúdo, 3) construção do diálogo, 4) teste do protótipo e 5) integração com página de mídia social. Resultados: a revisão de literatura reuniu evidências científicas sobre a doença a partir das publicações do Ministério da Saúde, no Brasil, e de consultas em artigos científicos. O conteúdo foi construído a partir das perguntas mais realizadas pela população, em março de 2020, evidenciadas por meio do Google Trends, em que emergiram os seguintes temas: conceito da doença, formas de prevenção, transmissão da doença, principais sintomas, formas de tratamento e dúvidas. A construção do diálogo foi baseada em Processamento de Linguagem Natural, intenções, entidades e estrutura de diálogo. O protótipo foi testado em laboratório com um número reduzido de computadores usuários em uma rede local para verificar a funcionalidade do conjunto de aplicações, erros técnicos e visuais acerca do diálogo e se as respostas fornecidas estavam de acordo com a pergunta do usuário, respondendo de forma correta os questionamentos e integrado ao Facebook. Conclusão: o assistente virtual mostrou-se uma ferramenta de educação em saúde e com potencial para combater fake news. Também representa uma forma de comunicação em saúde centrada no paciente, que favorece o fortalecimento de vínculo e interação entre profissionais de saúde e pacientes, promovendo a coprodução em saúde.

Factors associated with the SARS-CoV-2 infection among health professionals from university hospitals. / Factores asociados a la infección por SARS-CoV-2 en profesionales de la salud de hospitales universitarios.

to investigate factors associated with the SARS-CoV-2 infection among health professionals from university hospitals. a multicenter, mixed approach study with concomitant incorporated strategy, carried out with 559 professionals in the quantitative stage, and 599 in the qualitative stage. Four data collection instruments were used, applied by means of an electronic form. The quantitative analysis was performed with descriptive and inferential statistics and the qualitative data were processed by means of content analysis. the factors associated with the infection were as follows: performance of the RT-PCR test (p<0.001) and units offering care to COVID-19 patients (p=0.028). Having symptoms increased 5.63 times the prevalence of infection and adhering to social distancing most of the time in private life reduced it by 53.9%. The qualitative data evidenced difficulties faced by the professionals: scarcity and low quality of Personal Protective Equipment, work overload, physical distancing at work, inadequate processes and routines and lack of a mass screening and testing policy. the factors associated with the SARS-CoV-2 infection among health professionals were mostly related to occupational issues.

investigar los factores asociados a la infección por SARSCoV-2 en los profesionales de la salud de hospitales universitarios. estudio multicéntrico, con abordaje mixto con estrategia incorporada concomitante, realizado con 559 profesionales en la etapa cuantitativa, y 599 en la etapa cualitativa. Fueron utilizados cuatro instrumentos de recolección de datos, aplicados a través un formulario electrónico. El análisis cuantitativo se realizó mediante estadística descriptiva e inferencial y los datos cualitativos mediante análisis de contenido los factores asociados a la infección fueron: realización de la prueba "RT-PCR" (p<0,001) y unidades que atienden a pacientes con COVID-19 (p=0,028). Tener síntomas aumentó la prevalencia de infección 5,63 veces y cumplir la mayor parte del tiempo con el distanciamiento social en la vida privada la redujo un 53,9%. Los datos cualitativos mostraron las dificultades que enfrentaron los profesionales: escasez y baja calidad de equipos de protección personal, sobrecarga de trabajo, distanciamiento físico en el trabajo, procesos y rutinas inadecuados y la ausencia de una política de triage y testeo masivos. los factores asociados a la infección por SARS-CoV-2 en los profesionales de la salud se relacionaron mayormente con cuestiones laborales.

(1) Las cuestiones laborales influyeron en la protección de los profesionales durante la pandemia. (2) La alta adhesión a las precauciones estándar y al distanciamiento no disminuyeron los casos positivos. (3) La baja calidad de los EPP y las fallas en el triage dificultaron la protección en el trabajo. (4) La infraestructura hospitalaria no favoreció el distanciamiento físico entre los equipos.

investigar fatores associados à infecção por SARS-CoV-2 entre profissionais da saúde de hospitais universitários. estudo multicêntrico, de abordagem mista com estratégia incorporada concomitante, realizado com 559 profissionais na etapa quantitativa, e 599 na etapa qualitativa. Foram utilizados quatro instrumentos de coleta de dados, aplicados via formulário eletrônico. A análise quantitativa foi realizada com estatística descritiva e inferencial e os dados qualitativos por meio de análise de conteúdo. os fatores associados à infeção foram: realização de teste "RT-PCR" (p<0,001) e unidades com atendimento a pacientes com COVID-19 (p=0,028). Ter sintomas aumentou em 5,63 vezes a prevalência de infeção e aderir ao distanciamento social na maior parte do tempo na vida particular reduziu em 53,9%. Dados qualitativos evidenciaram dificuldades enfrentadas pelos profissionais: escassez e baixa qualidade de equipamentos de proteção individual, sobrecarga de trabalho, distanciamento físico no trabalho, processos e rotinas inadequadas e ausência de uma política de triagem e testagem em massa. os fatores associados à infecção por SARS-CoV-2 entre profissionais da saúde foram em sua maioria relacionados a questões ocupacionais.

Strategies for coping with the COVID-19 pandemic in university hospitals: a descriptive study / Estratégias para o enfrentamento da pandemia de COVID-19 em hospitais universitários: estudo descritivo / Estrategias para enfrentar la pandemia de COVID-19 en hospitales universitarios: estudio descriptivo

OBJETIVO: Descrever estratégias desenvolvidas para o enfrentamento da pandemia de COVID-19 em hospitais universitários. MÉTODO: Pesquisa descritiva, com abordagem quanti-qualitativa, desenvolvida a partir de um survey online com 104 enfermeiros de três hospitais universitários brasileiros. O processamento dos dados foi realizado por meio de análise textual com auxílio do software IRAMUTEQ®. RESULTADOS: Foram obtidas seis classes semânticas que representam as principais estratégias desenvolvidas para o enfrentamento da pandemia de COVID-19 no ambiente hospitalar: 1) Fornecimento de Equipamentos de Proteção Individual (17,2%); 2) Capacitações da equipe para o cuidado (18,8%); 3) Treinamento da equipe de apoio (15,6%); 4) Aquisição de equipamentos com boa qualidade (14,1%); 5) Definição de fluxos institucionais (20,5%) e 6) Promoção de apoio psicológico (14,1%). CONCLUSÃO: As estratégias elencadas pelos enfermeiros têm contribuído para a qualidade da assistência prestada aos pacientes, bem como a manutenção da saúde do trabalhador.

OBJECTIVE: To describe strategies developed to cope with the COVID-19 pandemic in university hospitals. METHOD: A descriptive research study with a quantitative and qualitative approach, developed from an online survey with 104 nurses from three Brazilian university hospitals. Data processing was performed through textual analysis with the aid of the IRAMUTEQ® software. RESULTS: Six semantic classes were obtained that represent the main strategies developed to cope with the COVID-19 pandemic in the hospital environment: 1) Provision of Personal Protective Equipment (17.2%); 2) Training of the team for the care to be provided (18.8%); 3) Training of the support team (15.6%); 4) Acquisition of good quality equipment (14.1%); 5) Definition of institutional flows (20.5%); and 6) Promotion of psychological support (14.1%). CONCLUSION: The strategies listed by the nurses have contributed to the quality of the care provided to the patients, as well as to preserving the workers' health.

OBJETIVO: Describir las estrategias que se desarrollaron en los hospitales universitarios para enfrentar la pandemia de COVID-19. MÉTODO: Investigación descriptiva, con enfoque cuantitativo y cualitativo, desarrollada a partir de survey online con 104 enfermeros de tres hospitales universitarios brasileños. El procesamiento de datos se realizó mediante análisis textual con la ayuda del software IRAMUTEQ®. RESULTADOS: Se obtuvieron seis clases semánticas que representan las principales estrategias desarrolladas para enfrentar la pandemia de COVID-19 en el ámbito hospitalario: 1) Suministro de Equipos de Protección Personal (17,2%); 2) Capacitación del equipo para la atención (18,8%); 3) Entrenamiento del equipo de apoyo (15,6%); 4) Adquisición de equipos de buena calidad (14,1%); 5) Definición de flujos institucionales (20,5%) y 6) Promoción de apoyo psicológico (14,1%). CONCLUSIÓN: Las estrategias enumeradas por los enfermeros han contribuido a la calidad de la atención que se les prestó a los pacientes y a mantener la salud de los trabajadores.

Clinical and epidemiological characteristics and individual experiences of illness in men with COVID-19: mixed method study.

BACKGROUND: Since the beginning of the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic, studies have shown that this disease has affected the male population on a significant scale in various parts of the world, making men one of the main risk groups. OBJECTIVE: To analyze the clinical and epidemiological characteristics and experiences of illness in men with COVID-19. DESIGN AND SETTING: A mixed sequential-explanatory study with cross-sectional and exploratory-descriptive approaches. METHOD: Data was collected from a small municipality located in the central-north region of the state of Bahia, Brazil. Primary quantitative data was extracted from compulsory notification forms from 598 men. Qualitative data from individual interviews of 30 men was analyzed by the Discourse of the Collective Subject method. RESULTS: The findings identified the characterization of reports of suspected and confirmed cases of COVID-19 in men, the organization of the healthcare system, and strategies for the control and combat of COVID-19 directed towards the men of the investigated municipality. They revealed the clinical characteristics based on the collective discourse of men with COVID-19. CONCLUSION: In men, the individual experience of disease explicitly explains the clinical markers of COVID-19 expressed by the self-reported syndromic approach. Additionally, this understanding also explains the behaviors observed in their search for health care, as well as the adoption of prevention and control measures and therapies recommended by health professionals.

Care actions in obtaining tissues and organs during the COVID-19 pandemic: a mixed methods study.

OBJECTIVE: to map health care actions in the organ and tissue donation process in Brazilian regions during the COVID-19 pandemic. METHODS: a mixed methods study. Data collection was performed simultaneously through an online questionnaire with 72 nurses. Descriptive statistical analysis and content analysis. RESULTS: a total of 34.7% of professionals work in the state of São Paulo. The largest number of responses was from the Southeast region. Four categories emerged. The first addresses triage care actions; the second involves guidelines for SARS-CoV-2 prevention in potential donors; the third relates to the epidemiological screening of professionals; the fourth presents the scenario of donation training in pandemic times. CONCLUSION: care actions are aimed at tracking the path taken until arrival at the hospital, assessing temperature and saturation curves, in addition to screening for signs and symptoms for SARS-CoV-2 contamination among professionals.

Reorganization of nursing work in an intensive care unit during the COVID-19 pandemic.

OBJECTIVE: To describe the reorganization of nursing work in an intensive care unit of a public hospital due to the COVID-19 pandemic. METHOD: Report of the experience from February to April 2020, about the reorganization of a unit. RESULTS: The description of the experience was divided into four moments: Definition of the cohort isolation; Reorganization of the intensive care units as General and Respiratory; Health care teams and work shifts; and Wearing and removing protective clothing by the teams. CONCLUSION: The COVID -19 pandemic brought numerous challenges to the management of intensive care units. The socialization of management experiences can contribute to the definition of new strategies, including in the post-pandemic period.

Changes implemented in the work environment of nurses in the COVID-19 pandemic.

OBJECTIVE: to describe the changes implemented in the work environment of nurses in university hospitals considering the COVID-19 pandemic. METHODS: this qualitative and descriptive research was developed from an online survey with 75 nurses from three Brazilian university hospitals. Data processing occurred through textual analysis with the aid of software IRAMUTEQ. RESULTS: five semantic classes were obtained: Organization of units for exclusive care of patients with COVID-19; Adaptations in the use of personal protective equipment; Physical structure adaptation; Care flow institution; Increased number of beds and training courses. Final considerations: the results show the effort of healthcare and nursing professionals/managers in the development of structural adaptations and reorganizations of care processes, in the hospital context, to respond with quality and efficiency to the demands arising from the COVID-19 pandemic.

Work environment of hospital nurses during the COVID-19 pandemic in Brazil.

AIM: To investigate the nurses' work environment in university hospitals during the COVID-19 pandemic in Brazil. BACKGROUND: The COVID-19 pandemic brought challenging times for nurses worldwide. In Brazil, as well as in several countries, nurses are working hard in hospital settings caring for patients infected with the virus, sometimes with unfavourable work environment conditions. METHODS: This study was a convergent embedded mixed methods research. The sample comprised 104 nurses from three Brazilian university hospitals. Data were collected in April-June 2020 from an online questionnaire with a self-reporting Likert scale survey designed to measure the nurses' perceptions of their work environment. Qualitative data in the form of written comments were also collected through an open question. Data were analysed using descriptive statistics and content analysis. RESULTS: The quantitative results showed that the responses to 'I received training on the correct use of personal protective equipment' and 'I am afraid of being infected' items had the best and worst evaluations, respectively. The qualitative findings revealed five themes: feeling of insecurity, lack of personal protective equipment, lack of diagnostic tests, changes in the care flow and fear of the unknown. CONCLUSION: The study has highlighted the challenges faced by hospital nurses while caring for patients with COVID-19. IMPLICATIONS FOR NURSING AND NURSING POLICY: The gaps identified will assist the policymakers and hospital managers in developing policies to enhance the support offered to nurses and improve the care provided to patients with COVID-19 in university hospitals. The results also indicate the need for attention to the mental health of the professionals due to the increasing workload and treatment of an illness hitherto unknown.

Protagonismo da Enfermagem Brasileira no combate ao COVID-19

Ao iniciar as comemorações pelo "Ano da Enfermagem", em 12 de janeiro de 2020, o OMS divulgou notícias sobre um surto com um novo coronavírus, originado em Wuhan, província de Hubei, China. A doença (COVID-19) se propagou para diversos países, sendo declarada pandemia pela OMS no mês de março. O primeiro caso confirmado em território brasileiro e na América Latina ocorreu em 26 de fevereiro de 2020. Desde então, os profissionais de Enfermagem sofrem destaque por atuarem na linha de frente para a prevenção e combate à doença, buscando mitigação de pandemia. (AU) When the celebrations for the "Year of Nursing"began on January 12, 2020, WHO released news about an outbreak with a new coronavirus, originating in Wuhan, Hubei province, China. The disease (COVID-19) spread to several countries, being declared a pandemic by the WHO in March. The first confirmed case in Brazil and in Latin America occurred on February 26, 2020. Since then, nursing professionals have been highlighted for acting on the front lines for the prevention and fight against the disease, seeking to mitigate the pandemic. (AU) Cuando las celebraciones por el "Año de la Enfermería"comenzaron el 12 de enero de 2020, la OMS dio a conocer noticias sobre un brote con un nuevo coronavirus, originario de Wuhan, provincia de Hubei, China. La enfermedad (COVID-19) se extendió a varios países, siendo declarada pandemia por la OMS en marzo. El primer caso confirmado en Brasil y en América Latina ocurrió el 26 de febrero de 2020. Desde entonces, los profesionales de enfermería han sido destacados por actuar en primera línea para la prevención y lucha contra la enfermedad, buscando mitigar la pandemia. (AU)

How are university hospitals coping with the COVID-19 pandemic in Brazil?

Resumo Objetivo Identificar as ações que os hospitais universitários federais estão desenvolvendo no enfrentamento da pandemia de COVID-19 no Brasil. Métodos Estudo documental, a partir de informações disponibilizadas nos sites oficiais de 44 hospitais universitários da rede federal de ensino do Brasil. O levantamento foi realizado nos meses de abril e maio de 2020. Os excertos foram agrupados por similaridade, considerando as dimensões Assistência, Gestão, Extensão, Ensino e Pesquisa. Para análise dos dados, utilizou-se estatística descritiva. Resultados Identificaram-se 495 ações para o enfrentamento da pandemia de COVID-19, distribuídas entre Assistência (38,99%), Gestão (37,58%), Extensão (16,16%) e Ensino e Pesquisa (7,27%). Na Assistência, destacou-se a suspensão de consultas não relacionadas à COVID-19 e cirurgias eletivas, bem como mudanças em rotinas com reforço às questões de biossegurança para evitar transmissão do vírus. No âmbito da Gestão, ocorreu contratação de novos profissionais e capacitação das equipes de saúde. Na dimensão Extensão, foram desenvolvidos principalmente materiais educativos sobre medidas de prevenção da COVID-19. Em relação ao Ensino e Pesquisa, houve suspensão de atividades educativo-formativas e sobressaiu-se o engajamento dos hospitais no desenvolvimento de pesquisas sobre o tema. Conclusão Os hospitais universitários estão reorganizando o atendimento e buscando meios para prover as condições necessárias para o cumprimento da sua missão no contexto do Sistema Único de Saúde, a partir de ações de assistência, gestão, extensão, ensino e pesquisa. Resumen Objetivo Identificar las acciones que los hospitales universitarios federales están llevando a cabo para enfrentar la pandemia de COVID-19 en Brasil. Métodos Estudio documental, a partir de información disponible en los sitios web oficiales de 44 hospitales universitarios de la red educativa federal de Brasil. La recolección fue realizada en los meses de abril y mayo de 2020. Los fragmentos se agruparon por similitud, considerando las dimensiones Atención, Gestión, Extensión, Enseñanza e Investigación. Se utilizó estadística descriptiva para analizar los datos. Resultados Se identificaron 495 acciones para el enfrentamiento de la pandemia de COVID-19, distribuidas entre Atención (38,99 %), Gestión (37,58 %), Extensión (16,16 %) y Enseñanza e Investigación (7,27 %). En Atención, se destacó la suspensión de consultas no relacionadas con la COVID-19 y cirugías electivas, así como cambios de rutinas con un refuerzo en las cuestiones de bioseguridad para evitar la transmisión del virus. En el ámbito de la Gestión, se contrataron nuevos profesionales y se capacitó a los equipos de salud. En la dimensión Extensión, se creó principalmente material educativo sobre medidas de prevención de la COVID-19. Con relación a la Enseñanza e Investigación, se suspendieron las actividades educativas y se destacó el compromiso de los hospitales en el desarrollo de investigaciones sobre el tema. Conclusión Los hospitales universitarios están reorganizando la atención y buscando los medios para ofrecer las condiciones necesarias para cumplir su misión en el contexto del Sistema Único de Salud, a partir de acciones de atención, gestión, extensión, enseñanza e investigación. Objective To identify the actions that federal university hospitals are developing to tackle the COVID-19 pandemic in Brazil. Methods Documentary study based on information available on official websites of 44 university hospitals in the federal teaching network in Brazil. The survey was conducted in April and May 2020. The excerpts were grouped by similarity, considering the Care, Management, Extension, Teaching and Research dimensions. Descriptive statistics was used for data analysis. Results The 495 actions identified to cope with the COVID-19 pandemic were distributed among Care (38.99%), Management (37.58%), Extension (16.16%) and Teaching and Research (7.27%). In Care, the highlights were the suspension of consultations not related to COVID-19 and elective surgeries, and changes in routines with focus on biosafety issues to prevent virus transmission. In Management, new professionals were hired and health teams were trained. In the Extension dimension, educational materials were developed, mainly on COVID-19 prevention measures. In relation to Teaching and Research, educational-training activities were suspended and the engagement of hospitals in the development of research on the subject stood out. Conclusion University hospitals are reorganizing care and looking for ways to provide the necessary conditions to fulfill their mission within the National Health System context, based on care, management, extension, teaching and research actions.

How are university hospitals coping with the COVID-19 pandemic in Brazil? ¿Cómo están enfrentando la pandemia de COVID-19 los hospitales universitarios en Brasil?

Abstract Objective To identify the actions that federal university hospitals are developing to tackle the COVID-19 pandemic in Brazil. Methods Documentary study based on information available on official websites of 44 university hospitals in the federal teaching network in Brazil. The survey was conducted in April and May 2020. The excerpts were grouped by similarity, considering the Care, Management, Extension, Teaching and Research dimensions. Descriptive statistics was used for data analysis. Results The 495 actions identified to cope with the COVID-19 pandemic were distributed among Care (38.99%), Management (37.58%), Extension (16.16%) and Teaching and Research (7.27%). In Care, the highlights were the suspension of consultations not related to COVID-19 and elective surgeries, and changes in routines with focus on biosafety issues to prevent virus transmission. In Management, new professionals were hired and health teams were trained. In the Extension dimension, educational materials were developed, mainly on COVID-19 prevention measures. In relation to Teaching and Research, educational-training activities were suspended and the engagement of hospitals in the development of research on the subject stood out. Conclusion University hospitals are reorganizing care and looking for ways to provide the necessary conditions to fulfill their mission within the National Health System context, based on care, management, extension, teaching and research actions.