Evaluación del Modelo multicomponente de telecuidado de apoyo a personas con prediabetes y obesidad en Chile

Antecedentes: la prediabetes es una condición reversible y su tratamiento una oportunidad para modificar prácticas no saludables. Objetivo: evaluar la efectividad del Modelo Multi-componente de Telecuidado para apoyo a personas con prediabetes y obesidad en Chile. Método: ensayo clínico controlado en centros de atención primaria, Santiago, Chile. Se realizó un muestreo y asignación aleatoria en cada uno de los 5 centros de salud participantes. Participantes: 70 adultos con pre-diabetes, IMC: 25-34 y acceso a telefonía móvil. GI (n = 33), recibió modelo: consejerías telefónicas, envío de SMS, material educativo y equipos auto-monitoreo; y GC (n = 32) atención habitual atención habitual y equipos de auto-monitoreo. Medición pre y post intervención de los conocimientos sobre Prediabetes, alimentación no saludable, actividad física, peso, circunferencia de cintura, Glicemia, Triglicéridos y Colesterol Total. Resultados: en el GI, la intervención fue efectiva en mantener estable el nivel de conocimientos sobre pre-diabetes y disminuir nivel de triglicéridos. El modelo no superó a la atención habitual en disminución del peso, circunferencia de cintura, glicemia y colesterol total.

Background: Prediabetes is a reversible condition and its treatment a chance to change unhealthy practices. Objective: to evaluate the effectiveness of a multi-component tele-care model to support people with pre-diabetes and obesity in Chile. Method: a randomized clinical trial in primary care setting, Santiago, Chile. Participants: 70 adults with pre-diabetes: BMI between 25 and 34 and access to mobile phone. GI (n = 33) received telephone counseling, SMS, educational materials and self-monitoring equipment and GC (n = 32) usual care and self-monitoring equipment. Measures of knowledge of prediabetes, unhealthy diet, physical activity, weight, waist circumference, glucose, triglycerides and total cholesterol were made pre and post intervention. Results: in GI the intervention to maintain stable knowledge level about pre-diabetes, and decrease triglycerides level was effective. The model did not exceed usual care for decrease in weight, waist circumference, glucose and cholesterol.

[Pilot plan for a mobile health communication and monitoring system for people with diabetes]. / Plan piloto del sistema de comunicación y seguimiento móvil en salud para personas con diabetes.

mHealth is a practical, useful, and available tool for one-way or two-way communication between health professionals and patients. It is especially promising in countries such as Chile, with widespread and growing mobile telephone coverage that is very well accepted by the public. Our objective is to demonstrate the process for designing a mobile communication and monitoring model, aimed at providing communication between professionals in primary healthcare centers and their patients, to facilitate timely diagnosis and initiation of treatment for type 2 diabetes. This model's characteristics include use of mobile telephones as a communication tool, a one-way method (from health centers to patients), integration into in-person care delivered at health centers, use of different communication strategies (voice and written), and integrated functioning using open-source software. The system includes personalized communication, automated voice communication, and automated written communication using short message service (SMS). We describe the strategies and components of the system. The lessons learned include the contribution from successful implementation of COSMOS (consolidated online modulated operating systems), a technological innovation, to support the health care of people with suspected type 2 diabetes in primary healthcare centers. Working together with teams in the field is essential to this achievement.

Plan piloto del sistema de comunicación y seguimiento móvil en salud para personas con diabetes / Pilot plan for a mobile health communication and monitoring system for people with diabetes

La mSalud es una herramienta práctica, útil y disponible para la comunicación unidireccional o bidireccional entre profesionales de la salud y el paciente, cuyo uso es especialmente promisorio en países como Chile, con una amplia y creciente cobertura de telefonía móvil muy bien aceptada por la población. Nuestro objetivo es mostrar el proceso de diseño de un modelo de comunicación y seguimiento móvil, destinado a facilitar la comunicación entre profesionales de los centros atención primaria en salud y sus usuarios, para lograr el diagnóstico oportuno e inicio del tratamiento de la diabetes mellitus de tipo 2 (DM2). Este modelo se caracteriza por utilizar el teléfono móvil como herramienta de comunicación, ser un método unidireccional (desde los centros de salud hacia los usuarios), estar integrado con la atención presencial que se entrega en los centros de salud, utilizar diferentes estrategias de comunicación (vía voz y escrita), y funcionar integrado en un software diseñado en código abierto. El sistema incluyó la implementación de comunicación personalizada, comunicación automatizada de voz y comunicación automatizada escrita a través de servicio de mensaje corto de voz. Se describen estas estrategias y los componentes del sistema. Entre las lecciones aprendidas, se destaca el aporte de lograr implementar la innovación tecnológica COSMOS (sistemas operadores modulados consolidados en línea, por su sigla en inglés), para apoyar el proceso de cuidado de la salud de las personas con sospecha de DM2 en centros de atención primaria de salud. Para este logro, resulta imprescindible el trabajo conjunto con los equipos en terreno.

mHealth is a practical, useful, and available tool for one-way or two-way communication between health professionals and patients. It is especially promising in countries such as Chile, with widespread and growing mobile telephone coverage that is very well accepted by the public. Our objective is to demonstrate the process for designing a mobile communication and monitoring model, aimed at providing communication between professionals in primary healthcare centers and their patients, to facilitate timely diagnosis and initiation of treatment for type 2 diabetes. This model's characteristics include use of mobile telephones as a communication tool, a one-way method (from health centers to patients), integration into in-person care delivered at health centers, use of different communication strategies (voice and written), and integrated functioning using open-source software. The system includes personalized communication, automated voice communication, and automated written communication using short message service (SMS). We describe the strategies and components of the system. The lessons learned include the contribution from successful implementation of COSMOS (consolidated online modulated operating systems), a technological innovation, to support the health care of people with suspected type 2 diabetes in primary healthcare centers. Working together with teams in the field is essential to this achievement.

Access to mobile communication technology and willingness to participate in automated telemedicine calls among chronically ill patients in Honduras.

OBJECTIVES: patients in underdeveloped countries may be left behind by advances in telehealthcare. We surveyed chronically ill patients with low incomes in Honduras to measure their use of mobile technologies and willingness to participate in mobile disease management support. MATERIALS AND METHODS: 624 chronically ill primary care patients in Honduras were surveyed. We examined variation in telephone access across groups defined by patients' sociodemographic characteristics, diagnoses, and access to care. Logistic regression was used to identify independent correlates of patients' interest in automated telephonic support for disease management. RESULTS: participants had limited education (mean 4.8 years), and 65% were unemployed. Eighty-four percent had telephone access, and 78% had cell phones. Most respondents had voicemail (61%) and text messaging (58%). Mobile technologies were particularly common among patients who had to forego clinic visits and medications due to cost concerns (each p < 0.05). Most patients (>80%) reported that they would be willing to receive automated calls focused on appointment reminders, medication adherence, health status monitoring, and self-care education. Patients were more likely to be willing to participate in automated telemedicine services if they had to cancel a clinic appointment due to transportation problems or forego medication due to cost pressures. CONCLUSIONS: even in this poor region of Honduras, most chronically ill patients have access to mobile technology, and most are willing to participate in automated telephone disease management support. Given barriers to in-person care, new models of mobile healthcare should be developed for chronically ill patients in developing countries.

[Effect of a tele-care model on self-management and metabolic control among patients with type 2 diabetes in primary care centers in Santiago, Chile]. / Efecto de un modelo de apoyo telefónico en el auto-manejo y control metabólico de la Diabetes tipo 2, en un Centro de Atención Primaria, Santiago, Chile.

BACKGROUND: Telephone based self-management support may improve the metabolic control of patients with type2 (DM2) diabetes if it is coordinated with primary care centers, if telephone protocols and clinical guidelines are used and if it is provided by nurses trained in motivational interviewing. AIM: To assess the efficacy of a tele-care self-management support model (ATAS) on metabolic control of patients with DM2 attending primary care centers in a low income area in Santiago, Chile. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Two primary care centers were randomly assigned to continue with usual care (control group, CG) or to receive additionally 6 telecare self-management support interventions (IG) during a 15 month period. Glycosylated hemoglobin (HbA1c) was used to measure metabolic control of DM2; the "Summary of Diabetes Self-care Activities Measure" and the "Spanish Diabetes Self-efficacy" scale were used to measure self-management and self efficacy, respectively. Changes in the use of health services were also evaluated. RESULTS: The IG maintained its HbA1c level (baseline and final levels of 8.3 +/- 2.3% and 8.5 +/- 2.2% respectively) whereas it deteriorated in the CG (baseline and final levels of 7.4 +/- 2.3 and 8.8 +/- 2.3% respectively, p < 0.001). The perception of self-efficacy in the IG improved while remaining unchanged in the CG (p < 0.001). Adherence to medication, physical activity and foot care did not change in either group. In the IG, compliance to clinic visits increased while emergency care visits decreased. CONCLUSIONS: The ATAS intervention, in low income primary care centers, significantly increased the probability of stabilizing the metabolic control of patients with DM2 and improved their use of health services.

Efecto de un modelo de apoyo telefónico en el auto-manejo y control metabólico de la Diabetes tipo 2, en un Centro de Atención Primaria, Santiago, Chile / Effect of a tele-care model on self-management and metabolic control among patients with type 2 diabetes in primary care centers in Santiago, Chile

Background: Telephone based self-management support may improve the metabolic control of patients with type 2 (DM2) diabetes if it is coordinated with primary care centers, if telephone protocols and clinical guidelines are used and if it is provided by nurses trained in motivational interviewing. Aim: To assess the efficacy ofi a tele-care self-management support model (ATAS) on metabolic control of patients with DM2 attending primary care centers in a low income area in Santiago, Chile. Material and Methods: Two primary care centers were randomly assigned to continue with usual care (control group, CG) or to receive additionally 6 telecare self-management support interventions (IG) during a 15 month period. Glycosylated hemoglobin (HbA1c) was used to measure metabolic control of DM2; the “Summary of Diabetes Self-care Activities Measure” and the “Spanish Diabetes Self-efficacy” scale were used to measure self-management and self efficacy, respectively. Changes in the use of health services were also evaluated. Results: The IG maintained its HbA1c level (baseline and final levels of 8.3 ± 2.3 percent and 8.5 ± 2.2 percent respectively) whereas it deteriorated in the CG (baseline and final levels of 7.4 ± 2.3 and 8.8 ± 2.3 percent respectively, p < 0.001). The perception of self-efficacy in the IG improved while remaining unchanged in the CG (p < 0.001). Adherence to medication, physical activity and foot care did not change in either group. In the IG, compliance to clinic visits increased while emergency care visits decreased. Conclusions: The ATAS intervention, in low income primary care centers, significantly increased the probability of stabilizing the metabolic control of patients with DM2 and improved their use of health services.

[Innovative care and self-care strategies for people with chronic diseases in Latin America]. / Estrategias innovadoras para el cuidado y el autocuidado de personas con enfermedades crónicas en América Latina.

OBJECTIVES: To identify innovative strategies for improved care and self-care of patients with chronic diseases (CD) in Latin America and to explore interest in creating a Latin American network of professionals in this field. METHODS: A descriptive study based on a survey of key experts with recognized national or regional leadership in CD patient care. The 25-question questionnaire sought information on their experiences with care and self-care initiatives for CD patients, descriptions of successful initiatives, the perceived ability of countries to innovate in this area, their interest in participating in a network of Latin American professionals in this field, and more. Content analysis was performed to develop recommendations for the Region. RESULTS: Responses were obtained from 17 (37.8%) of the 45 experts approached; 82.4% confirmed their knowledge of of involvement with an innovative initiative related to the subject. Initial development does exist in each of the three innovative strategy types: peer care, informal caregivers, and telenursing, the latter being the least explored. There is real interest in forming a Latin American network that focuses on development of innovative self-care strategies for CD patients. CONCLUSIONS: Support for a joint network is promising. Priorities are building skills in this area and developing innovative proposals for improved CD patient care in the Region. Innovative measures should be complementary and adapted to the specific context of each scenario.

Estrategias innovadoras para el cuidado y el autocuidado de personas con enfermedades crónicas en América Latina / Innovative care and self-care strategies for people with chronic diseases in Latin America

OBJETIVOS: Identificar estrategias innovadoras dirigidas a mejorar el cuidado y el autocuidado de los pacientes con enfermedades crónicas (EC) en América Latina y explorar el interés en crear una red latinoamericana de profesionales en ese campo. MÉTODOS: Estudio descriptivo exploratorio basado en una encuesta aplicada a expertos clave con reconocido liderazgo nacional o regional en la atención de pacientes con EC. El cuestionario de 25 preguntas recababa información sobre su experiencia en iniciativas de cuidado y autocuidado de pacientes con EC, la descripción de las iniciativas exitosas, la percepción de la capacidad de los países para innovar en este ámbito y el interés en participar en una red de profesionales latinoamericanos en ese campo, entre otras. Se realizó un análisis de contenidos para elaborar recomendaciones para la Región. RESULTADOS: Se obtuvo respuesta de 17 (37,8 por ciento) de los 45 expertos invitados; 82,4 por ciento afirmó conocer o participar en alguna iniciativa innovadora en el tema planteado. Existe un incipiente desarrollo de los tres tipos de estrategias innovadoras: cuidado por pares, cuidadores informales y telecuidado, esta última es la menos explorada. Hay un real interés en conformar una red latinoamericana para el desarrollo de estrategias innovadoras dirigidas al autocuidado de pacientes con EC. CONCLUSIONES: Las bases para una red de trabajo conjunto son promisorias y es prioritario fortalecer las competencias en esta área y desarrollar propuestas innovadoras para mejorar la atención de los pacientes con EC en la Región. Las medidas innovadoras deben ser complementarias y se deben ajustar al contexto específico de cada escenario.

OBJECTIVES: To identify innovative strategies for improved care and self-care of patients with chronic diseases (CD) in Latin America and to explore interest in creating a Latin American network of professionals in this field. METHODS: A descriptive study based on a survey of key experts with recognized national or regional leadership in CD patient care. The 25-question questionnaire sought information on their experiences with care and self-care initiatives for CD patients, descriptions of successful initiatives, the perceived ability of countries to innovate in this area, their interest in participating in a network of Latin American professionals in this field, and more. Content analysis was performed to develop recommendations for the Region. RESULTS: Responses were obtained from 17 (37.8 percent) of the 45 experts approached; 82.4 percent confirmed their knowledge of of involvement with an innovative initiative related to the subject. Initial development does exist in each of the three innovative strategy types: peer care, informal caregivers, and telenursing, the latter being the least explored. There is real interest in forming a Latin American network that focuses on development of innovative self-care strategies for CD patients. CONCLUSIONS: Support for a joint network is promising. Priorities are building skills in this area and developing innovative proposals for improved CD patient care in the Region. Innovative measures should be complementary and adapted to the specific context of each scenario.

Use of telephone care in a cardiovascular disease management programme for type 2 diabetes patients in Santiago, Chile.

OBJECTIVES: In 2004, the Chilean National Ministry of Health instituted a cardiovascular disease (CVD) management programme aimed at improving diabetes care among patients treated in the public healthcare system. We sought to identify the characteristics of patients participating in the CVD programme and the feasibility of extending its reach through structured nurse telephone contacts between outpatient encounters. METHODS: We surveyed 569 low-income adults with type 2 diabetes treated in public clinics of Santiago, to assess patients' participation in the CVD programme and willingness to use telephone care services. Surveys were linked to information from medical records. RESULTS: One-third of patients met the target of two visits to the CVD programme in the previous 6 months, and an additional 32% made more than three visits. Use of the CVD programme was associated with greater patient satisfaction, even after controlling for potential confounders. However, 27% of patients had inadequate programme contact, and many of these patients were in poor health. Many CVD programme participants reported difficulties with lifestyle changes, and greater contact with the CVD programme was not associated with healthier behaviours. Most patients (95%) reported telephone access and 37% had used the telephone to contact their clinic. The majority of patients would be willing to use telephone care for additional behaviour change and emotional support. Patients with fewer CVD programme visits were particularly likely to report willingness to use telephone care. DISCUSSION: Clinic-based CVD disease management services reach a large number of socio-economically vulnerable Chileans with diabetes. However, barriers to access remain, and planned telephone care services may increase the reach of self-management support.

Health preferences and decision-making needs of disadvantaged women.

AIM: This paper reports the results of a survey of disadvantaged women in La Pintana, a municipality of Santiago, Chile, to determine their health decision-making needs. BACKGROUND: Research is needed as there is no published community-based study focusing specifically on health decision-making needs of disadvantaged women. METHODS: From April to November 1999, we conducted a cross-sectional interview survey of women registered at primary healthcare centres in La Pintana, an impoverished municipality of Santiago, Chile. RESULTS: The survey participants were 554 adult women over 15 years of age. Seventy-five percent reported making current health-related decisions. Types of decisions were primarily about navigation: where, when and from whom to seek care. The most common role in decision-making was sharing the decision with others, specifically husbands and other family members. Fifty-four percent experienced decisional conflict or uncertainty about options. Those reporting more manifestations of decisional conflict were more likely to lack information on available options, pros and cons of the options, and chances of benefits and harms associated with the options; they were also more likely to be unclear about what was important to them, to feel pressure from others, lack skill or ability in decision-making and be older. The most common strategies used when making all types of decisions were obtaining information on options and recommendations, and getting support from others. Participants preferred to receive information about options through counselling from their physicians, rather than nurses, from printed materials and from discussion groups of people facing the same decision. CONCLUSION: The majority of disadvantaged women were actively involved in decision-making and needed decision support to navigate the healthcare system. Nurses should play a more pivotal role in providing health decision support. This study needs to be replicated in other countries and cultural contexts.

Trabajo académico en red en torno a la toma de decisiones en salud / Academic network related to health decision making

La Escuela de Enfermería de la Pontificia Universidad Católica de Chile (PUC) ha desarrollado, desde 1983, un modelo de atención de salud basado en el autocuidado (Lange I., Jaimovich S. 1996). Esta línea de trabajo fue enriquecida con el marco conceptual de apoyo a la toma de decisiones en salud desarrollado a partir de la década del noventa por O’Connor et al. Con el apoyo de estos autores, se inició el proyecto Elecciones y decisiones en salud: una alianza profesional/usuaria con transferencia tecnológica canadiense chilena (DECIDE), financiado por la Agencia Canadiense de Desarrollo Internacional (ACDI). Este proyecto incluyó una fase de trabajo colaborativo con otras escuelas de enfermería del país para incorporar el marco conceptual y la tecnología de apoyo a la toma de decisiones en salud en la formación de los futuros profesionales. Esta experiencia generó un modelo de trabajo en redes que permitió enriquecerla y ampliar la cobertura del proyecto, respetando individualidades e intereses de las escuelas participantes. Su sistematización permitió desarrollar un modelo de educación continua semipresencial en “Apoyo a la toma de decisiones en salud” que puede ser utilizado para capacitar enfermeras y otros profesionales de la salud de América Latina. Este artículo da a conocer el proceso vivido y las lecciones aprendidas, con el fin de demostrar que el trabajo en redes es una estrategia eficiente y factible para potenciar el desarrollo en enfermería.

Promover la salud mental con mujers chilenas en desvantaja social / Promoting mental health in socially disadvantaged chilean women

Se descrive una parte de la experiencia del proyecto Chileno/Canadiense: "Promover la salud mental de las mujeres chilenas en desventaja social: Los Secretos de Maruja". Se describen los objetivos, las etapas del proceso, de intervención y los resultados de las evaluaciones preliminares. Con la participación de las mujeres usuárias de los centros de salud, profesionales y autoridades de la comuna de La Pintana, se construyó, aplicó y evaluó un proyecto de intervención para apoyar a las mujeres en la toma de decisiones que favorezcan su salud mental personal, familiar y social. La intervención contempló el diseño, producción, distribución y evaluación de 12 folletos educativos tipo calendarios, cada uno respecto a tres temas de salud mental identificados por las mismas mujeres: Identidad y autoestima, Vínculo y Comunicación y Autocuidado. Además se involucró a las enfermeras que trabajan en los Centros de Salud, quienes incorporaron esta estrategia a la atención de salud habitual y evaluaron su impacto en la identidad, autonomía profesional y en la mejoría de la calidad del cuidado.

This paper describes a Chilean/Canadian intervention project about Mental Health Promotion with socially disadvantaged women called "Maruja´s secrets". We present their objectives, each stage of the intervention process and preliminary evaluations. With the participation of women of the community, health professionals and authorities of health members of La Pintana, we conceive, develop and evaluate an intervention to support and coach women in decision making to improve their personnel and social mental health. The intervention process include design, engaged community nurses, distribution and evaluation of 12 educative color calendars, each one with 14 messages about mental health issues, that were discovered in focus groups with the same women: Identity and self- esteem; communication and self-care. Each calendar has 14 messages, a self-diagnosis test and addresses of community social resources. Community nurses were involved in the distribution and they evaluate their experience as a way of strengthening nursing identity and the quality of nursing care...

Descreve-se uma experiência do projeto chileno-canadense, intitulado "Promover a saúde mental de mulheres chilenas em desvantagem social: os Segredos de Maruja". Apresentam-se os objetivos, as etapas das intervenções e as avaliações preliminares. Com a participação das mulheres usuárias dos Centros de Saúde, profissionais de saúde e autoridades da comunidade de La Pintana, foi construído, aplicado e avaliado um projeto de intervenção para apoiar as mulheres na tomada de decisões que favorecessem sua saúde mental, pessoal, familiar e social. A intervenção contemplou o desenho, a produção, a distribuição e a avaliação de 12 cartilhas educativas tipo calendários, cada uma referente a três temas de saúde mental considerado importante pelas mesmas mulheres: identidade e auto-estima; vínculos e comunicação; e autocuidado. Cada cartilha tem um teste de autodiagnóstico e endereços dos recursos sociais comunitários. Ademais, comprometeu as enfermeiras que trabalham nos Centros de Saúde que incorporaram esta estratégia no seu atendimento habitual e avaliaram seu impacto tanto na sua identidade e autonomia profissional quanto na melhoria da qualidade do cuidado brindado às mulheres...