Triage of patients and remote consultations in primary care facilities during the COVID-19 pandemic in France (PRICOV-19 study) / Triage des patients et consultations à distance dans les structures de soins primaires pendant la pandémie de Covid-19 en France (étude PRICOV-19)

Introduction: PRICOV-19 is a European cross-sectional study based on an online questionnaire, describing the impact of the pandemic on primary care structures (PCS). In France, PCS are solo practices (SP), single or multi-professional group practices (GP), coordinated practice structures (CPS): health houses and health centers. Triage, whether it is digital (TD), by telephone (TT) or at the reception (TR), is essential to reduce the risk of infection, and is part of recommended organizational practices. Purpose of research: Based on French data from the PRICOV-19 study, the objective is to describe the frequency and factors associated with triage in PCSs during the COVID 19 pandemic. Results: 1100 structures responded to the survey. The TD was implemented in 64% of PCSs (53.3% of SPs, 64.9% of GPs, 73.2% of CPSs). The TT was implemented in 76% of structures (72.7% of SPs, 75.4% of GPs and 81% of CPSs). Finally, TR was implemented in 52% of structures (37.7% of SPs, 52% of GPs and 67% of CPSs). The other positively associated factors are the urban territory and the lower workload for the TD, and the presence of a receptionist for the TR. Conclusions: Triage practices seem to be clearly associated with the organization and working conditions in the PCSs, and first and foremost with the type of structure.

Introduction: PRICOV-19 est une étude transversale européenne basée sur un questionnaire en ligne, décrivant l'impact de la pandémie sur les structures de soins primaires (SSP). En France, les SSP sont les cabinets solo (CS), les cabinets de groupe mono ou pluriprofessionnels (CG), les structures d'exercice coordonné (SEC) : maisons de santé et centres de santé. Le triage, qu'il soit numérique (TN), téléphonique (TT) ou à l'arrivée (TA) est indispensable pour réduire le risque infectieux, et fait partie des pratiques d'organisation recommandées. But de l'étude: En s'appuyant sur les données françaises de l'étude PRICOV-19, l'objectif est de décrire la fréquence et les facteurs associés au triage dans les SSP pendant la pandémie de COVID 19. Résultats: 1 100 structures ont répondu au questionnaire. Le TN a été mis en œuvre dans 64 % des SSP (53,3 % des CS, 64,9 % des CG, 73,2 % des SEC). Le TT a été mis en œuvre dans 76 % des structures (72,7 % des CS, 75,4 % des CG et 81 % des SEC). Enfin, le TA a été mis en œuvre dans 52 % des structures (37,7 % des CS, 52 % des CG et 67 % des SEC). Les autres facteurs positivement associés sont le territoire urbain et la charge de travail moins importante pour le TN, et la présence d'une réceptionniste pour le TA. Conclusion: Les pratiques de triage semblent clairement associés à l'organisation et aux conditions d'exercice dans les SSP, et en premier lieu au type de structure.

Does Reality Overcome the Expected? Survey on Informal Caregivers' Profile: A Nurse-Led Study in Times of COVID-19.

The increasing overload of chronic conditions raises challenges for the health system. Informal caregivers have a major role in ensuring the quality of life of the cared-for person, despite the reported lack of working resources which can lead to unmet needs. This article reports on the first part of a nurse-led research project entitled ''Informal caregiver' profiles in Lisbon county: a health community approach.' We aimed to support decision-making by developing an informal caregiver profile to promote tailored interventions. A survey addressing the dyad was developed and submitted to a convenient, network-based, stratified sample of carers aged 18 years or above. More than thirty community partners supported the identification of caregivers. Data were submitted to univariate descriptive analysis. A profile of the cared-for person and the informal caregiver was uncovered by identifying 639 caregivers, of whom the majority lived with the cared-for person. Only four percent planned the transition to a caregiver role, and no more than 10% had access to support programs. Approximately half of the respondents found that COVID-19 negatively impacted their performance in the caregiver role. Developing a local and tailored strategy with collaboration between healthcare professionals, academics, and community partners is key to ensuring that meaningful support is provided to caregivers.

Informal Caregivers' Health Literacy in Lisbon, Portugal: A Profile for Health Promotion Prioritization.

Health literacy (HL) allows people to access, understand and evaluate health information. Informal caregivers' levels of HL may impact long-term care outcomes. 'Informal caregivers' profile in Lisbon county: a health community approach' is a nurse-led research project aiming to assess informal caregivers' health literacy and associated factors in Lisbon county, as well as to foster the development of a local-specific health literacy strategy. A survey to identify a health/social caregiver profile, including questions about HL (HLS-EU-PT), was submitted to a representative sample of carers. Descriptive and bivariate inferential analysis was developed. Informal caregivers' level of HL was mostly sufficient (n = 99, 38%). More than 60% of caregivers have limited HL regarding health promotion. 'Access', 'Appraisal' and 'Use' are the information processing stages with lower mean scores of HL. Carers with low HL levels appear to be older and to have less education, low knowledge of community resources and decreased wellbeing (p < 0.05). A strategy focused on health promotion-related HL through primary care resources can potentially improve caregivers' knowledge, competencies and motivation, as well as health system sustainability. Reported HLS-EU-PT scores deserve special attention. Future work should emphasize the role of HL-associated factors and health outcomes for caregivers and cared-for persons.

Trajetória da prestação de cuidados familiares a pessoas idosas com dependência / Trayectoria de la actividad de cuidados familiares a personas mayores con dependencia / Trajectory of family caregiving to dependent elderly people

Resumo Objetivo Avaliar o efeito da passagem do tempo no processo de prestação de cuidados nas variáveis do sistema cliente formado pelo cuidador familiar e pessoa idosa com dependência. Métodos Estudo observacional longitudinal, tendo por referência o modelo de sistemas de Neuman. A amostra é de 30 díades avaliadas em 3 momentos durante 8 meses, no domicílio das pessoas idosas com dependência numa comunidade na região de Lisboa, em Portugal. Os instrumentos de avaliação foram um questionário sociodemográfico de caracterização do sistema cliente e a escala de depressão do Center for Epidemiologic Studies. Resultados Com o passar do tempo, os cuidadores apresentaram resultados compatíveis com agravamento nas variáveis do core e das linhas que o envolvem, com diferenças estatisticamente significativas (p< 0,1) no apoio social recebido (p= 0,093), nas atividades em que recebe apoio no cuidar (p=0,061), na categoria atividade somática e retardada da sintomatologia depressiva (p=0,052), constrangimentos financeiros (p=0,069) e internamento temporário do idoso (p=0,037). Conclusão A prestação de cuidados quando prolongada no tempo torna difícil a vida do cuidador nas variáveis avaliadas, causando instabilidade no sistema cliente. Face à gravidade do problema é discutida a necessidade de intervenção a nível macro para minimizar consequências da atividade de cuidar.

Resumen Objetivo Evaluar el efecto del paso del tiempo en el proceso de la actividad de cuidar en las variables del sistema cliente formado por el cuidador familiar y la persona mayor con dependencia. Métodos Estudio observacional longitudinal, que utilizó como referencia el modelo de sistemas de Neuman. La muestra está compuesta por 30 binomios evaluados en tres momentos durante ocho meses, en el domicilio de las personas mayores con dependencia en una comunidad en la región de Lisboa, en Portugal. Los instrumentos de evaluación fueron un cuestionario sociodemográfico de caracterización del sistema cliente y la escala de depresión del Center for Epidemiologic Studies. Resultados Con el pasar del tiempo, los cuidadores presentaron resultados compatibles con agravamiento en las variables del core y de las líneas que lo envuelven, con diferencias estadísticamente significativas (p< 0,1) en el apoyo social recibido (p= 0,093), en las actividades en que recibe apoyo en el cuidado (p=0,061), en la categoría actividad somática y retardada de la sintomatología depresiva (p=0,052), restricciones financieras (p=0,069) e internación temporaria de la persona mayor (p=0,037). Conclusión Cuando la actividad de cuidar se prolonga en el tiempo, la vida del cuidador se hace difícil en las variables evaluadas, lo que causa inestabilidad en el sistema cliente. Ante la gravedad del problema, se discute la necesidad de intervención a nivel macro para minimizar las consecuencias de la actividad de cuidar.

Abstract Objective To evaluate the effect of time on caregiving, specifically on the variables of the user system made up of a family caregiver and a dependent elderly person. Methods Longitudinal observational study based on the Neuman systems model. The sample was 30 caregiver-patient pairs who were evaluated at three different times over a period of eight months at the houses of the dependent elderly people in a community in Lisbon, Portugal. The assessment instruments were a sociodemographic instrument for characterization of the user system and the Center for Epidemiologic Studies Depression Scale. Results Over time, the caregivers showed results compatible with worsening in the core variables and those in the concentric circles, with statistically significant differences (p<0.1) in received social support (p=0.093), caregiving activities for which help is received (p=0.061), somatic and retarded activity of the depressive symptomatology (p=0.052), financial limitations (p=0.069), and temporary hospitalization of the elderly person (p=0.037). Conclusion Long-term caregiving made the caregivers' lives difficult regarding the evaluated variables, which led to instability in the user system. Given the severity of the problem, the need for macro-level interventions to minimize the consequences of providing care was discussed.

Factors associated with in-hospital mortality from community-acquired pneumonia in Portugal: 2000-2014.

BACKGROUND: Community-acquired pneumonia (CAP) is one of the leading causes of morbidity and mortality worldwide, often leading to hospital admissions. In Portugal, the factors associated with in-hospital mortality due to CAP are not fully documented. The aim of this study was to characterize the trends of CAP hospitalization in all age groups and the factors associated with their mortality between 2000 and 2014. METHODS: We conducted a cross-sectional study using CAP hospitalization data in all age groups, in Portugal Mainland. Logistic regression was used to identify the factors associated with in-hospital mortality. RESULTS: Between 2001 and 2011, CAP hospitalization rate increased from 2.8 to 4.3 per 1000 population. Hospitalization rates were higher in the extreme ages ( ≤ 4 and ≥ 75 years). However, a decrease in the hospitalization rate and its mortality was observed, in the younger ages. A total of 548,699 hospitalization CAP episodes, between 2000 and 2014, were analyzed, with male (56.2%) and elderly ≥65 years (91.7%) predominance, resulting in 101,740 deaths (18.5%). Men had a significantly lower mean age (64.3 ± 26.4 years versus 67.9 ± 27.5 years; p < 0.001). During the studied 15 years, there was an increase of 45.2% in the number of annual hospitalizations, concomitant with the admission increase of individuals aged over 75 years. Since 2012 a decrease in hospitalizations and associated deaths were detected. The increase in age represented a progressive and significant rise in the probability of death, except for the age group 1-4 years. The age group ≥85 years old (Adjusted OR = 124.256; 95%CI: 97.838-157.807) and males (Adjusted OR = 1.261; 95%CI: 1.243-1.280) were significantly associated with death risk for CAP hospitalization. After 2010, this risk decreased (Adjusted OR = 0.961; 95%CI: 0.940-0.982). The main factors affecting mortality were age, sex, unemployment rate, number of performed procedures and admission quinquennia. CONCLUSIONS: Despite a trend of decrease in CAP hospitalizations and associated death since 2012, the numbers of in-hospital mortality showed, in the 15 years under analysis, an overall increase over time, mainly associated with age, in particular very old people ( ≥ 75 years), males and a higher parish unemployment rate. Therefore, the implementation of CAP preventive measures should be reinforced in these vulnerable groups.

Intervenção de enfermagem no estresse do cuidador familiar do idoso com dependência: estudo piloto / Intervención de enfermería en el estrés del cuidador familiar del anciano con dependencia: estudio piloto / Nursing intervention for stress management in family caregivers of dependent older adults: a pilot study

Objetivo avaliar a eficácia de uma intervenção de enfermagem estruturada com base num programa psicoeducativo de gestão do estresse sobre estressores primários (sobrecarga), recursos (coping) e resultados (bem-estar emocional) do cuidador, e avaliação realizada pelos cuidadores e pelos enfermeiros sobre a ajuda da intervenção e sobre o material de apoio ao programa. Método estudo piloto com 13 cuidadores de idosos em Portugal durante 5 semanas. Realizaram-se entrevistas para avaliar a intervenção e o material de apoio. Resultados depois da intervenção, houve melhoria no coping, no bem-estar e na sobrecarga com diferença estatisticamente significativa na sobrecarga; dificuldades com a implementação da intervenção e uso do material de apoio. Conclusão os cuidadores familiares revelaram que a intervenção ajudou-os na aprendizagem de novas estratégias de coping. Por parte dos enfermeiros, a intervenção ajudou-os a conhecer as dificuldades do cuidador, facilitando a abordagem holística do cuidado centrado no cuidador e no idoso.

Objetivo evaluar la eficacia de una intervención de enfermería estructurada con base en un programa psicoeducativo de gestión del estrés sobre estresores primarios (sobrecarga), recursos (coping) y resultados (bienestar emocional) del cuidador, y evaluación realizada por cuidadores y enfermeros sobre la ayuda de la intervención y el material de apoyo al programa. Método estudio piloto con 13 cuidadores de ancianos en Portugal, durante cinco semanas. Se realizaron entrevistas para evaluar intervención y material de apoyo. Resultados después de la intervención, hubo mejora en el coping, bienestar y sobrecarga, con diferencia estadísticamente significativa en la sobrecarga; dificultades con la implementación de la intervención y uso del material de apoyo. Conclusión los cuidadores familiares revelaron que la intervención ayudó en el aprendizaje de nuevas estrategias de coping. Para los enfermeros, ayudó a conocer las dificultades del cuidador, facilitando el abordaje holístico de la atención centrada en el cuidador y anciano.

Objective assess the effectiveness of a structured nursing intervention for caregivers based on a psychoeducational stress management program in relation to primary stressors (overload), resources (coping) and results (emotional well-being), as well as an assessment by caregivers and care recipients as to the helpfulness of the intervention and the program's support material. Method a pilot study was conducted with 13 caregivers of older adults in Portugal during five weeks. Interviews were conducted to assess the intervention and support material. Results after the intervention, there was an improvement in coping, well-being and overload, with a statistically significant difference in overload; difficulties implementing the intervention and using the support material. Conclusion the family caregivers stated that the intervention helped them learn new coping strategies. On the part of the nurses, the intervention helped them understand the difficulties faced by caregivers, facilitating a holistic care approach based on the caregiver and elderly person.