Association of frailty with the use of health services in older adults: a secondary analysis of the Mexican Health and Aging Study.

BACKGROUND: Frailty has been related to adverse outcomes, but evidence on its association with the use of health services is still scarce. OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this work was to determine the association of frailty with the use of health services in Mexican adults older than 60 years. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Analysis of the Mexican Health and Aging Study for the years 2015 (baseline) and 2018 (follow-up). Frailty was defined with the frailty index. The following outcomes were included: hospitalization, medical visits, major surgery, minor surgical procedures, and dental visits. Competing risk and count analyses (negative binomial regression) were performed. RESULTS: A total of 8,526 individuals were included, whose average age was 70.8%; 55.8% corresponded to the female gender. According to the results, hospitalization days and the number of minor procedures were associated with frailty. CONCLUSIONS: Frailty could be useful in the planning of health services for older adults. On the other hand, its evaluation would allow prioritizing care for those who are at higher risk of adverse outcomes.

ANTECEDENTES: La fragilidad se ha relacionado con desenlaces adversos, pero aún es escasa la evidencia sobre su asociación con el uso de servicios de salud. OBJETIVO: Evidenciar la asociación de la fragilidad con el uso de servicios de salud en adultos mexicanos mayores de 60 años. MATERIAL Y MÉTODOS: Análisis del Estudio Nacional sobre Salud y Envejecimiento en México para 2015 (basal) y 2018 (seguimiento). La fragilidad se definió con el índice de fragilidad. Fueron incluidos los siguientes desenlaces: hospitalización, visitas médicas, cirugía mayor, procedimientos quirúrgicos menores y visitas al dentista. Se utilizaron modelos de riesgos competitivos y de número de eventos (regresión negativa binomial). RESULTADOS: Se incluyeron 8526 individuos, cuya edad promedio fue de 70.8 %; 55.8 % correspondió al sexo femenino. De acuerdo con los resultados, los días de hospitalización y el número de procedimientos menores se asociaron a fragilidad. CONCLUSIONES: La fragilidad podría ser un parámetro útil en la planeación de los servicios de salud para los adultos mayores. Por otro lado, su evaluación permitiría priorizar la atención a quienes presenten mayor riesgo de desenlaces adversos.

Asociación de la fragilidad con el uso de servicios de salud en adultos mayores. Un análisis secundario del Estudio Nacional sobre Salud y Envejecimiento en México / Association of frailty with the use of health services in older adults. A secondary analysis of the Mexican Health and Aging Study

Resumen Antecedentes: La fragilidad se ha relacionado con desenlaces adversos, pero aún es escasa la evidencia sobre su asociación con el uso de servicios de salud. Objetivo: Evidenciar la asociación de la fragilidad con el uso de servicios de salud en adultos mexicanos mayores de 60 años. Material y métodos: Análisis del Estudio Nacional sobre Salud y Envejecimiento en México para 2015 (basal) y 2018 (seguimiento). La fragilidad se definió con el índice de fragilidad. Fueron incluidos los siguientes desenlaces: hospitalización, visitas médicas, cirugía mayor, procedimientos quirúrgicos menores y visitas al dentista. Se utilizaron modelos de riesgos competitivos y de número de eventos (regresión negativa binomial). Resultados: Se incluyeron 8526 individuos, cuya edad promedio fue de 70.8 %; 55.8 % correspondió al sexo femenino. De acuerdo con los resultados, los días de hospitalización y el número de procedimientos menores se asociaron a fragilidad. Conclusiones: La fragilidad podría ser un parámetro útil en la planeación de los servicios de salud para los adultos mayores. Por otro lado, su evaluación permitiría priorizar la atención a quienes presenten mayor riesgo de desenlaces adversos.

Abstract Background: Frailty has been related to adverse outcomes, but evidence on its association with the use of health services is still scarce. Objective: The purpose of this work was to determine the association of frailty with the use of health services in Mexican adults older than 60 years. Material and methods: Analysis of the Mexican Health and Aging Study for the years 2015 (baseline) and 2018 (follow-up). Frailty was defined with the frailty index. The following outcomes were included: hospitalization, medical visits, major surgery, minor surgical procedures, and dental visits. Competing risk and count analyses (negative binomial regression) were performed. Results: A total of 8,526 individuals were included, whose average age was 70.8%; 55.8% corresponded to the female gender. According to the results, hospitalization days and the number of minor procedures were associated with frailty. Conclusions: Frailty could be useful in the planning of health services for older adults. On the other hand, its evaluation would allow prioritizing care for those who are at higher risk of adverse outcomes.

Health literacy: association with socioeconomic determinants and the use of health services in Spain.

Background: Health literacy (HL) is the set of social and cognitive skills that determine person's level of motivation and the ability to access, understand and use information to promote and maintain good health. The aim of this study is to assess the level of health literacy, and to analyze its relationship with sociodemographic variables, state of health, and use of health services in the population aged 15 and over in the Valencian Community (Spain). Methods: Cross-sectional study based on a sample of 5,485 subjects participating in the Health Survey of the Valencia Community. The HLS-EU-Q16 was used. As outcome variables we considered HL categorized into 2 levels: Inadequate or Problematic HL and Sufficient HL and the standardized literacy index. Prevalence rates and HL means were estimated and OR were calculated to analyze the association between variables. Results: A total of 12.8% of the subjects surveyed presented an inadequate or problematic degree of HL. This percentage was higher in people >85 years (63.1%), with a low level of education (46.5%), in retired people (27.4%) or in other work situations (25.0%), in foreigners (18.1%), in low-income people (16.2%), with a perception of poor health status (26.9%), chronic disease (18.5%) or with activity limitations (56.4% severe, 19.7% not severe). Significant differences were found. With the exception of chronic disease, all the variables analyzed were associated with HL. Low HL was associated with a lower consumption of medicines, a greater use of health services, general medical consultations, poorer knowledge of new health technologies and fewer preventive health visits. Conclusion: The percentage of inadequate or problematic HL was globally not very high, but certain population subgroups notably presented a high degree of inadequate or problematic HL. Raising the HL level of such groups should be regarded as a priority. HL was shown to be associated with the service use and new health technology use. Enhancing the population's HL should lead to the following: a greater probability of adopting preventive practices; improving the use of the health system; and boosting people's abilities to manage and to improve their own health.

The effect of older population on public health spending: Evidence from Spain.

Background: The gradual ageing of the population, and its effect on public spending, constitutes an urgent challenge for advanced economies. Through this study, we analyse the effect of older people, and their health and individual characteristics, on public health spending. Methods: Using logistic regression methods, we have analysed the use of different health services and health technologies by older people in Spain, controlled for several health, socioeconomic, and other individual factors. Results: The main factors that explain the consumption of both health services and health technology, above age, are related to the so-called need factors: self-reported health status, presence of chronic diseases, and disability. Conclusion: Knowing the main factors that imply greater public health spending is a topic of special interest for designing efficient health policies, in a context of growth in public health spending. In this way, preventive attention on the so-called need factors may be an important driver to improve the effectiveness of spending.

Desigualdades no uso dos serviços de saúde em um município no Sul do Brasil em 2019: estudo transversal / Inequalities in the use of health services in a municipality in Southern Brazil in 2019: a cross-sectional study / Desigualdades en el uso de los servicios de salud en un municipio del Sur de Brasil en 2019: estudio transversal

Objective: to assess inequalities in the use of health services in a municipality in Southern Brazil. Methods: This was a population-based cross-sectional study conducted with adults living in the urban area of the municipality of Criciúma, state of Santa Catarina, Brazil, between March and December 2019; the research outcomes were medical consultation, dental visit, nutritional counseling and the use of the Brazilian National Health System (Sistema Único de Saúde − SUS); the exposures were age, schooling and income; inequalities were analyzed using the Slope index of inequality and equiplots. Results: A total of 820 individuals were studied; medical consultation was higher (14.2 percentage points [p.p.]), and dental visit was lower (-29.5 p.p.), in older adults, when compared to young people; dental visit (41.1 p.p.) and nutritional counseling (18.0 p.p.) were higher in individuals with higher level of education, when compared to those with lower level of education; the use of SUS was higher in older adults (21.3 p.p.), with lower level of education (-61.2 p.p.) and lower income (-51.6 p.p.), when compared to their peers. Conclusion: in order to develop public policies, these inequalities should be taken into consideration.

Objetivo: Evaluar desigualdades en el uso de los servicios de salud en un municipio del sur de Brasil. Métodos: Estudio transversal de base poblacional con adultos residentes en área urbana de la ciudad de Criciúma, estado de Santa Catarina, Brasil, entre marzo y diciembre de 2019. Variables de resultado fueron citas médicas y dentales, consejería nutricional y uso del Sistema Único de Salud (Sistema Único de Saúde − SUS). Exposiciones fueron edad, educación, ingreso. Desigualdad se presentó por Índice de desigualdad de la pendiente y gráficos equiplots. Resultados: Se estudiaron 820 individuos. Cita médica fue mayor (14.2 puntos porcentuales [p.p.]) y cita dental menor (-29,5 p.p.) en ancianos, en comparación con jóvenes. Cita dental (41,1 p.p.) y consejería nutricional (18,0 p.p.) fueron mayores en más educados en comparación con menos educados. Uso del SUS fue mayor en ancianos (21,3 p.p.), menos educados (-61,2 p.p.) y con menores ingresos (-51,6 p.p.) en comparación con sus pares. Conclusiones: Desigualdades evidenciadas demuestran que políticas públicas deben considerarlas en su desarrollo.

Objetivo: avaliar desigualdades no uso dos serviços de saúde em um município do Sul do Brasil. Métodos: estudo transversal de base populacional com adultos residentes na área urbana do município de Criciúma, no estado de Santa Catarina, Brasil, entre março e dezembro de 2019; desfechos do estudo foram consulta médica, consulta odontológica, orientação nutricional e uso do Sistema Único de Saúde (SUS); exposições foram idade, escolaridade e renda; desigualdades foram analisadas pelo índice absoluto de desigualdade e gráficos equiplots. Resultados: foram incluídos 820 indivíduos; realização de consulta médica foi maior (14,2 pontos percentuais [p.p.]), e de consulta odontológica, menor (-29,5 p.p.), em idosos, comparados a jovens; realização de consulta odontológica (41,1 p.p.) e orientação nutricional (18,0 p.p.) foi maior nos mais escolarizados, comparados aos menos escolarizados; uso do SUS foi maior em idosos (21,3 p.p.), menos escolarizados (-61,2 p.p.) e com menor renda (-51,6 p.p.), comparados a seus pares. Conclusão: para seu desenvolvimento, as políticas públicas devem considerar essas desigualdades.

Use of N-Acetylcysteine at high doses as an oral treatment for patients hospitalized with COVID-19.

Infection by SARS-CoV-2 causing coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) can be associated with serious and life-threatening conditions, including acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS). Severity and mortality have been related to a cytokine storm, an imbalance of oxidative stress, and a pro-thrombotic state.We conducted an observational retrospective cohort study from a community-based large population of hospitalized COVID-19 PCR + patients admitted from March 01, 2020, to January 24, 2021, with integrated primary to tertiary care information in Castilla la Mancha, Spain. We explored the potential benefits of the antioxidant, anti-inflammatory and anti-thrombotic drug N-acetylcysteine (NAC) administered orally in high doses (600 mg every 8 h), added to standard of care in COVID-19 patients by using the free text information contained in their electronic health records (EHRs).Out of 19,208 patients with a diagnosis of COVID-19 hospitalized, we studied 2071 (10.8%) users of oral NAC at high doses. COVID-19 patients treated with NAC were older, predominantly male, and with more comorbidities such as hypertension, dyslipidemia, diabetes, and COPD when compared with those not on NAC (all p < 0.05). Despite greater baseline risk, use of NAC in COVID-19 patients was associated with significantly lower mortality (OR 0.56; 95%CI 0.47-0.67), a finding that remained significant in a multivariate analysis adjusting by baseline characteristics and concomitant use of corticosteroids. There were no significant differences with the use of NAC on the mean duration of hospitalization, admission to the intensive care unit or use of invasive mechanical ventilation. The observed association signaling to better relevant outcomes in COVID-19 patients treated with NAC at high doses should be further explored in other settings and populations and in randomized controlled trials.

Use of Health Services Among People Living Alone in Finland.

Although health issues are more common in people living alone than in those living with someone, research on the service use of people living alone has focused on older age groups. Based on large Finnish cross-sectional health survey (FinHealth 2017, n = 4686), we examined the difference in the use and assessment of health services between those living alone and those living with someone, and whether some sub-groups within those living alone use or perceive the use of health care services differently to those living with someone. The adjusted proportions, based on logistic regression models controlling for demographic variables and perceived health and mental health, showed that those living alone had seen a doctor in the past year less often (65.5%) than those not living alone (71.9%). People living alone had also less often had a health examination in the past 5 years (72.4%) than those not living alone (79.2%), and this proportion was particularly low within people living alone with high levels of depressive symptoms (59.0%) compared to lower levels (75.0%). Conclusively, among people living alone, those who suffer from depressive symptoms might be a potential group that does not receive the same levels of preventive care than others.

Association between gender-based discrimination and medical visits and HIV testing in a large sample of transgender women in northeast Brazil.

BACKGROUND: Gender-based discrimination remains a substantial barrier to health care access and HIV prevention among transgender women in Brazil. The aim of this study was to investigate the association between gender-based discrimination and medical visits, as well as with HIV testing among transgender women in the last 12 months in northeast Brazil. METHODS: This is a cross-sectional study of 864 transgender women recruited using Respondent-Driven Sampling in three cities in northeastern Brazil in 2016. A socio-behavioral questionnaire was applied. Multivariate analyses were performed using logistic regression, with odds ratio and respective 95% confidence intervals estimation, to estimate the effect of gender-based discrimination on two outcomes: i) medical visits and ii) HIV testing in the last 12 months. RESULTS: 547 transgender women (67·0%) had medical visits, and 385 (45·8%) underwent HIV testing in the last 12 months. In the multivariate analysis, gender-based discrimination was associated with a reduced likelihood of medical visits (OR: 0·29; 95%CI: 0·14-0·63) and HIV testing (OR: 0·41; 95%CI: 0·22-0·78) in the last 12 months. CONCLUSION: Gender-based discrimination played an essential role in reducing the access of TGW to medical visits and HIV testing services. Furthermore, by confirming the association between gender-based discrimination and medical visits and HIV testing in the multivariate analysis, we have demonstrated how this predictive variable can affect by reducing access to health services. The findings point to the need for non-discriminatory policies based on the defense and promotion of human rights that may foster the access of transgender women to Brazilian health services.

Use of Health Services and Unmet Need among Adults of Russian, Somali, and Kurdish Origin in Finland.

Equal access to health care is one of the key policy priorities in many European societies. Previous findings suggest that there may be wide differences in the use of health services between people of migrant origin and the general population. We analyzed cross-sectional data from a random sample of persons of Russian (n = 692), Somali (n = 489), and Kurdish (n = 614) origin and the Health 2011 survey data (n = 1406) representing the general population in Finland. Having at least one outpatient visit to any medical doctor during the previous 12 months was at the same level for groups of Russian and Kurdish origin, but lower for people of Somali origin, compared with the general population. Clear differences were found when examining where health care services were sought: people of migrant origin predominantly visited a doctor at municipal health centers whereas the general population also used private and occupational health care. Self-reported need for doctor's treatment was especially high among Russian women and Kurdish men and women. Compared to the general population, all migrant origin groups reported much higher levels of unmet medical need and were less satisfied with the treatment they had received. Improving basic-level health services would serve besides the population at large, the wellbeing of the population of migrant origin.

Elementos da Atenção Primária para compreender o acesso aos serviços do SUS diante do autorrelato do usuário / Elements of Primary Care to comprehend the access to SUS services based on users report

Resumo Introdução Na Atenção Primária à Saúde, o acesso pode ser compreendido como o fato de oportunizar diversas alternativas para adentrar aos serviços de saúde. Objetivo Avaliar o acesso aos serviços de atenção primária à saúde do Sistema Único de Saúde/SUS, identificando a presença de um conjunto proposto de elementos importantes na rede de serviços do município estudado percebidos e relatados pelos usuários. Método Pesquisa de método dedutivo realizada por meio de um estudo quantitativo de base populacional, com levantamento de dados através de um inquérito realizado em uma amostra de usuários do SUS em três Gerências Distritais da cidade de Porto Alegre/RS, sobre o acesso aos serviços de Atenção Primária no SUS. Resultados A brevidade para ser consultado após agendamento, o atendimento por demanda espontânea e a adscrição do domicílio foram os elementos mais importantes para caracterizar um adequado/bom acesso. Entretanto, apenas 18,8% do conjunto de elementos que caracterizam um bom acesso foi relatado pelos referidos usuários. Conclusão Com o desenvolvimento deste estudo, foi possível visualizar de forma mais adequada as características que devem ser mantidas, priorizadas e/ou melhoradas no que se refere ao acesso aos serviços de saúde de uma cidade de grande porte.

Abstract Background In Primary Health Care, access can be understood as enabling alternatives to obtain health services. Objective Analyze access to primary health care services in the Unified Health System (Acronym in Portuguese is SUS), to identify a proposed set of important characteristics in the service network of the city studied through users report. Method Deductive research, performed through a population-based quantitative study, with data collection through a survey conducted in a sample of SUS users, in three administrative districts in Porto Alegre/RS on access to primary care services in the SUS. Results The waiting time after scheduling, service by spontaneous demand and the domicile ascription were the most important elements to characterize good access. However, only 18.8% of the elements that characterize good access was reported by the users. Conclusion This study allowed a better visualization of the characteristics that should be maintained, prioritized and improved regarding access to health services in a big city.

[Migraine medical control and related variables. Results of the European Work and Migraine survey]. / Control médico en migraña y variables relacionadas. Resultados de la encuesta europea Trabajo y Migraña.

OBJECTIVE: This purpose of this work is to determine the care preferences and the required use of medical care by migraine patients in the different countries of Europe, and the observed differences depending on their social and demographic conditions. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Cross-sectional observational study by anonymous web survey of 3,342 patients from Spain, Italy, France, Portugal, Ireland, United Kingdom, Germany, and a mixed group of countries not included in the initial design. VARIABLES: age, gender, country, type of location, level of studies and rural or urban area. The demand for care is collected by neurologist, primary care doctors/family/general practitioners, by occupational health doctors, nurses, by other doctors/other specialists, non-medical control/self-control. RESULTS: The patients more seen by a neurologist were about 21-60years old and with a high cultural level. Primary care/family doctor care is higher in urban areas. Occupational medicine, nursing, and other specialties predominate in large cities. Self-control is greater in patients aged 21-40years and in women. Spain and Germany are the countries with the greatest demand for care in Neurology and Primary Care. CONCLUSIONS: The medical demand for migraine care in Europe shows irregular results according to countries, with it being a priority in neurology and with less participation of Primary Care physicians, work doctors, nurses, or other specialties. Differences are observed by age, gender, and cultural level both in the demand for care and in the choice of specialist. It is important to take into account the percentage of patients who have no medical control.

University Students' Self-Rated Health and Use of Health Services: A Secondary Analysis.

BACKGROUND: University students belonging to various ethnic groups have specific health needs that influence their self-rated health and health service use. PURPOSE: To examine which determinants of health serve as key predictors of self-rated health and health service use in a sample of ethnically diverse undergraduate students. METHODS: Data were abstracted from the 2012 Maritime Undergraduate Student Sexual Health Services Survey (N = 10,512). Logistic regression was used to explore the predictors of self-rated health and use of university-based health services according to ethnicity. RESULTS: Social support (Caucasian: odds ratio (OR) = 1.018; 95% confidence interval (CI) [1.008, 1.028]; African: OR = 1.890; 95% CI [1.022, 1.160]; Other: OR = 1.096; 95% CI [1.023, 1.175]), and depression risk (Caucasian: OR = .899; 95% CI [.844, .914]; Indigenous: OR = .904; 95% CI [.844, .969]; Asian: OR = .894; 95% CI [.839, .953]; Multiracial: OR = .892; 95% CI [.812, .980]) were the most frequent predictors of self-rated health across the different ethnic groups; while year of study (Caucasian: OR = 1.855; 95% CI [1.764, 1.952]; African: OR = 2.979; 95% CI [2.068, 4.291]; Indigenous OR = 1.828; 95% CI [1.371, 2.436]; Asian: OR = 1.457; 95% CI [1.818, 1.797]; Middle Eastern: OR = 1.602; 95% CI [1.088, 2.359]; Other: OR = 1.485; 95% CI [1.093, 2.018]; Multiracial: OR = 2.064; 95% CI [1.533, 2.778]) was found to be the most significant predictor of health service use. CONCLUSION: Findings from this research shed light on the various factors that impact university students belonging to different ethnic groups, their health, and their access to healthcare that addresses their distinct health needs. Nurses can advocate for the development of health promotion and illness prevention strategies that target the needs of the diverse student population.

[Social and clinical determinants of the use of health services in women with breast cancer (Cohort DAMA)]. / Determinantes sociales y clínicos del uso de servicios sanitarios en mujeres con cáncer de mama (Cohorte DAMA).

OBJECTIVE: To describe and analyse the factors associated with the use of health services (emergency departments, admissions and primary care) in women survivors of breast cancer diagnosed or treated in four university hospitals of Barcelona (Spain) between 2003 and 2013, within the framework of the Cohort DAMA project. METHOD: Descriptive design nested in a mixed cohort (Cohort Dama). We obtained sociodemographic information and information on the use of health services through a questionnaire, and on the tumour from the clinical history. Logistic regression models were performed, calculating the odds ratio of the use of health services (emergency departments, hospital admissions and primary care) raw and adjusted (aOR) by diagnostic method, the characteristics of the tumour and of the women and their 95% confidence intervals. RESULTS: The presence of chronic diseases was associated with greater use of the three levels of care. A disadvantaged economic level increases the risk of use of emergency departments and primary care but not of hospital admissions, while a higher tumour stage is associated with a greater risk of admission. By age, those under 50 had a higher risk of using emergency departments and admissions. CONCLUSIONS: The factors associated with the use of health services differ according to the level of care (aOR: 3.53 emergency departments, 1.67 admissions, 3.89 primary care) and treatment-derived complications (aOR: 1.35 emergency departments, 1.43 primary care). The presence of chronic disorders, younger age, disadvantaged social class, increases the risk of using services more than the tumour stage and treatment-derived complications. Neither the diagnostic method nor the survival time, nor the use of non-conventional therapies influence this.

Determinants of having no general practitioner in Germany and the influence of a migration background: results of the German health interview and examination survey for adults (DEGS1).

BACKGROUND: It is aspired in the German healthcare system that general practitioners (GPs) act as initial contact for patients and guide through at all steps of medical treatment. This study aims at identifying factors associated with the odds of having no GP within the general population and especially among people with migration background. METHODS: This cross-sectional analysis was based on the "German Health Interview and Examination Survey for Adults" (DEGS1) conducted by the Robert Koch Institute. Descriptive analyses as well as multiple logistic regression models were performed to analyse the impact of a migration background, age, gender, residential area, socioeconomic status (SES) and other factors on having no GP among 7755 participants. RESULTS: 9.5% of the total study population and 14.8% of people with a migration background had no GP, especially men, adults living in big cities and without chronic diseases. The odds of not having a GP were higher for people with a two-sided migration background (aOR: 1.90, 95% CI: 1.42-2.55). Among the population with a migration background, particularly young adults, men, people living in big cities and having a private health insurance showed higher odds to have no GP. CONCLUSIONS: It is necessary to investigate the causes of the differing utilization of healthcare of people with a migration background and, if necessary, to take measures for an equal access to healthcare for all population groups. Further research needs to be done to evaluate how to get young people into contact with a GP.

SUS: oferta, acesso e utilização de serviços de saúde nos últimos 30 anos / SUS: supply, access to and use of health services over the last 30 years

Ao longo dos últimos 30 anos, o Sistema Único de Saúde brasileiro se caracterizou por importantes mudanças na atenção à saúde. No presente artigo, são apresentados dados relativos à evolução das estruturas ambulatorial e hospitalar, e dos recursos humanos, bem como acerca da utilização dos serviços de saúde. A expansão da rede pública ocorreu principalmente entre as unidades que dão suporte aos programas de atenção básica, ampliando o acesso às consultas médicas e a redução das internações para um conjunto de doenças, mas persiste uma carência de profissionais, especialmente no cuidado odontológico. Entretanto, a despeito do avanço na cobertura, permanecem os desafios à continuidade do SUS e à melhoria da qualidade do cuidado, particularmente no tocante ao financiamento público, oferta de serviços, e na relação com o setor privado.(AU)

Significant changes have been witnessed in the Brazilian health system over the last 30 years. This article outlines trends in outpatient and hospital care, staffing, and health service use during this period. There was a significant expansion of the public health network, particularly of primary care services, leading to improved access to consultations and a reduction in hospital admissions. However, there is a persistent shortage of health professionals in Brazil's public health system, particularly dentists. Despite improvements in coverage, the public system continues to face serious challenges, particularly with respect to funding, service provision, and its relationship with the private sector.

Use of health services according to income before and after elimination of copayment in Germany and restriction of universal health coverage in Spain.

BACKGROUND: In Germany copayment for medical consultation was eliminated in 2013, and in Spain universal health coverage was partly restricted in 2012. This study shows the relationship between income and the use of health services before and after these measures in each country. METHODS: Data were taken from the 2009 and 2014 Socio-Economic Panel conducted in Germany, and from the 2009 and 2014 European Health Surveys in Spain. The health services investigated were physician consultations and hospital admissions, and the measure of socioeconomic position used was household income. The magnitude of the relationship between socioeconomic position and the use of each health service in people from 16 to 74 years old was estimated by calculating the percentage ratio using binary regression. RESULTS: In Germany, after adjusting for age, sex, and need for care, in the model comparing the two lower income categories to the two higher categories, the percentage ratio for physician consultation was 0.97 (95% CI 0.96-0.99) in 2009 and 0.98 (95% CI 0.97-0.99) in 2014, and the percentage ratio for hospitalization was 1.01 (95% CI 0.93-1.10) in 2009 and 1.16 (95% CI 1.08-1.25) in 2014. In Spain, after adjusting for age, sex, and self-rated health, the percentage ratio for physician consultation was 0.99 (95% CI 0.94-1.05) in 2009 and 1.08 (95% CI 1.03-1.14) in 2014, and the percentage ratio for hospitalization was 1.04 (95% CI 0.92-1.18) in 2009 and 0.99 (95% CI 0.87-1.14) in 2014. CONCLUSION: The results suggest that elimination of the copayment in Germany did not change the frequency of physician consultations, whereas after the restriction of universal health coverage in Spain, subjects with lower incomes had a higher frequency of physician consultations.

What patients think about choice in healthcare? A study on primary care services in Finland.

BACKGROUND: The ongoing Finnish health and social service reform will expand choice by opening the market for competition between public and private service providers. This study examined the attitudes of primary care patients towards choice and which patient-related factors are associated with these attitudes. METHODS: A sample of attenders during one week in health centres of 12 big cities and municipal consortiums (including seven outsourced local units) and in primary care units of one private company providing outsourced services for municipalities (aged 18-95, n=8128) was used. The questionnaire included questions on choice-related attitudes, sociodemographic factors, health status, use of health services and patient satisfaction. RESULTS: Of the responders, 77% regarded choice to be important, 49% perceived genuine opportunities to make choices and 35% were satisfied with the choice-relevant information. Higher age, low education, having a chronic illness, frequent use of services, having a personal physician and being satisfied with the physician and with waiting times were related to assigning more importance on choice. Younger patients, those with higher education as well as those with chronic illness regarded their opportunities of choosing the service provider and availability of choice-relevant information poorer. CONCLUSIONS: The Finnish primary care patients value choice, but they are critical of the availability of choice-relevant information. Choices of patients with complex health care needs should be supported by developing integrated care alternatives and by increasing the availability of information on existing care alternatives to meet their needs.

A busca por atendimento em um hospital de pronto socorro / Searching for care in an emergency hospital

Introdução: A percepção dos sinais e sintomas e o senso de urgência de cada um são fatores decisivos para a procura dos serviços de emergência, independente das normas estabelecidas pelas políticas e manuais de saúde institucionais, cada usuário acaba traçando sua própria rota e construindo o seu caminho. Considerando que o atendimento em um hospital de pronto socorro deve ser voltado a casos com risco iminente de vida e que a demanda de usuários com condições sensíveis à atenção básica impacta na qualidade do serviço prestado, bem como na rede de saúde do município, os seguintes questionamentos pautaram essa pesquisa: quais as motivações que os levam a procurar atendimento neste hospital? Qual a trajetória percorrida por estes usuários até o Serviço de Emergência? Existe vinculação desses usuários com os demais pontos da rede atenção à saúde? Objetivo: O objetivo geral desse estudo consistiu em analisar a busca de atendimento em um Hospital de Pronto Socorro de Porto Alegre por usuários com demandas clínicas. Método: estudo de abordagem qualitativa, onde foram realizadas entrevistas semiestruturadas com 14 usuários do serviço, com demandas clínicas agudizadas, que se encaixavam em demandas respiratórias e cerebrovasculares. A composição da amostra foi intencional por meio de convite e lista de adesão, constituída por pacientes adultos, de ambos os sexos, com demandas clínicas, maiores de 18 anos. Foram realizadas entrevistas, até a saturação dos dados, obtida por meio de análises parciais, ao longo das entrevistas, utilizando a análise qualitativa proposta por Minayo. Os dados foram analisados através da taxonomia das necessidades de saúde proposta por Cecílio e Matsumoto, contemplando aspectos de uso de tecnologias, vínculo com o serviço e graus de autonomia do usuário. O projeto foi encaminhado à Comissão de Pesquisa da Escola de Enfermagem da Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Sul e, após, à Plataforma Brasil onde foi apreciado e aprovado pelo Comitê da Ética em Pesquisa da UFRGS e do Comitê de Ética e Pesquisa em Saúde da Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Sul e da Secretaria Municipal de Saúde de Porto Alegre ­ CEPS/SMS-POA, sob parecer n° 2401824. Resultados: Foram identificadas duas categorias para análise - a organização da rede de saúde e os fluxos percorridos pelos usuários; e a importância do vínculo dos usuários com o serviço. Foram identificadas nas falas dos usuários o descontentamento com a Atenção Primária em Saúde devido à falta de recursos humanos e resolutividade, à utilização de clínicas populares de saúde e à importância do vínculo com os profissionais de saúde. Conclusão: Para garantir uma Atenção Primária em Saúde eficiente e resolutiva, necessita-se repensar práticas e exige-se planejamento em saúde coletiva, sensibilidade, vínculo, posicionamento crítico, reflexivo e transformador perante os desafios do serviço.

Introduction: The perception of signs and symptoms and the sense of urgency of each one are decisive factors for the search for emergency services, regardless of the norms established by institutional health policies and manuals, each user ends up tracing their own route and building their own way. Considering that care in an emergency hospital should be aimed at cases with imminent risk of life and that the demand of users with conditions sensitive to primary care impacts on the quality of the service provided, as well as on the health network of the municipality, the following questions guided this research: what are the motivations that lead them to seek care at this hospital? What is the path taken by these users to the Emergency Service? Is there a link between these users and the other points of the health care network? Objective: The general objective of this study was to analyze the search for care in an Emergency Hospital in Porto Alegre by users with clinical demands. Method: study with a qualitative approach, where semi-structured interviews were carried out with 14 service users, with acute clinical demands, which fit into respiratory and cerebrovascular demands. The composition of the sample was intentional through an invitation and a membership list, consisting of adult patients, of both sexes, with clinical demands, over 18 years of age. Interviews were carried out until data saturation, obtained through partial analysis, throughout the interviews, using the qualitative analysis proposed by Minayo. Data were analyzed through the taxonomy of health needs proposed by Cecílio and Matsumoto, covering aspects of technology use, link with the service and degrees of user autonomy. The project was sent to the Research Committee of the School of Nursing of the Federal University of Rio Grande do Sul and, later, to Plataforma Brasil, where it was analyzed and approved by the Research Ethics Committee of UFRGS and the Ethics and Research Committee in Health of the Federal University of Rio Grande do Sul. Federal University of Rio Grande do Sul and the Municipal Health Department of Porto Alegre ­ CEPS/SMS-POA, under opinion n° 2401824. Results: Two categories were identified for analysis - the organization of the health network and the flows traveled by users ; and the importance of the bond between users and the service. Dissatisfaction with Primary Health Care was identified in the users' statements due to the lack of human resources and resolution, the use of popular health clinics and the importance of the bond with health professionals. Conclusion: In order to guarantee an efficient and resolute Primary Health Care, practices need to be rethought and collective health planning, sensitivity, bonding, critical, reflective and transformative positioning are required in the face of service challenges.

A busca por atendimento em um hospital de pronto socorro / The search for care in an emergency hospital

Introdução: A percepção dos sinais e sintomas e o senso de urgência de cada um são fatores decisivos para a procura dos serviços de emergência, independente das normas estabelecidas pelas políticas e manuais de saúde institucionais, cada usuário acaba traçando sua própria rota e construindo o seu caminho. Considerando que o atendimento em um hospital de pronto socorro deve ser voltado a casos com risco iminente de vida e que a demanda de usuários com condições sensíveis à atenção básica impacta na qualidade do serviço prestado, bem como na rede de saúde do município, os seguintes questionamentos pautaram essa pesquisa: quais as motivações que os levam a procurar atendimento neste hospital? Qual a trajetória percorrida por estes usuários até o Serviço de Emergência? Existe vinculação desses usuários com os demais pontos da rede atenção à saúde? Objetivo: O objetivo geral desse estudo consistiu em analisar a busca de atendimento em um Hospital de Pronto Socorro de Porto Alegre por usuários com demandas clínicas. Método: estudo de abordagem qualitativa, onde foram realizadas entrevistas semiestruturadas com 14 usuários do serviço, com demandas clínicas agudizadas, que se encaixavam em demandas respiratórias e cerebrovasculares. A composição da amostra foi intencional por meio de convite e lista de adesão, constituída por pacientes adultos, de ambos os sexos, com demandas clínicas, maiores de 18 anos. Foram realizadas entrevistas, até a saturação dos dados, obtida por meio de análises parciais, ao longo das entrevistas, utilizando a análise qualitativa proposta por Minayo. Os dados foram analisados através da taxonomia das necessidades de saúde proposta por Cecílio e Matsumoto, contemplando aspectos de uso de tecnologias, vínculo com o serviço e graus de autonomia do usuário. O projeto foi encaminhado à Comissão de Pesquisa da Escola de Enfermagem da Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Sul e, após, à Plataforma Brasil onde foi apreciado e aprovado pelo Comitê da Ética em Pesquisa da UFRGS e do Comitê de Ética e Pesquisa em Saúde da Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Sul e da Secretaria Municipal de Saúde de Porto Alegre ­ CEPS/SMS-POA, sob parecer n° 2401824. Resultados: Foram identificadas duas categorias para análise - a organização da rede de saúde e os fluxos percorridos pelos usuários; e a importância do vínculo dos usuários com o serviço. Foram identificadas nas falas dos usuários o descontentamento com a Atenção Primária em Saúde devido à falta de recursos humanos e resolutividade, à utilização de clínicas populares de saúde e à importância do vínculo com os profissionais de saúde. Conclusão: Para garantir uma Atenção Primária em Saúde eficiente e resolutiva, necessita-se repensar práticas e exige-se planejamento em saúde coletiva, sensibilidade, vínculo, posicionamento crítico, reflexivo e transformador perante os desafios do serviço.

Introduction: The perception of signs and symptoms and the sense of urgency of each one are decisive factors for the search for emergency services, regardless of the norms established by institutional health policies and manuals, each user ends up tracing their own route and building their own way. Considering that care in an emergency hospital should be aimed at cases with imminent risk of life and that the demand of users with conditions sensitive to primary care impacts on the quality of the service provided, as well as on the health network of the municipality, the following questions guided this research: what are the motivations that lead them to seek care at this hospital? What is the path taken by these users to the Emergency Service? Is there a link between these users and the other points of the health care network? Objective: The general objective of this study was to analyze the search for care in an Emergency Hospital in Porto Alegre by users with clinical demands. Method: study with a qualitative approach, where semi-structured interviews were carried out with 14 service users, with acute clinical demands, which fit into respiratory and cerebrovascular demands. The composition of the sample was intentional through an invitation and a membership list, consisting of adult patients, of both sexes, with clinical demands, over 18 years of age. Interviews were carried out until data saturation, obtained through partial analysis, throughout the interviews, using the qualitative analysis proposed by Minayo. Data were analyzed through the taxonomy of health needs proposed by Cecílio and Matsumoto, covering aspects of technology use, link with the service and degrees of user autonomy. The project was sent to the Research Committee of the School of Nursing of the Federal University of Rio Grande do Sul and, later, to Plataforma Brasil, where it was analyzed and approved by the Research Ethics Committee of UFRGS and the Ethics and Research Committee in Health of the Federal University of Rio Grande do Sul. Federal University of Rio Grande do Sul and the Municipal Health Department of Porto Alegre ­ CEPS/SMS-POA, under opinion n° 2401824. Results: Two categories were identified for analysis - the organization of the health network and the flows traveled by users ; and the importance of the bond between users and the service. Dissatisfaction with Primary Health Care was identified in the users' statements due to the lack of human resources and resolution, the use of popular health clinics and the importance of the bond with health professionals. Conclusion: In order to guarantee an efficient and resolute Primary Health Care, practices need to be rethought and collective health planning, sensitivity, bonding, critical, reflective and transformative positioning are required in the face of service challenges.

Latent class analysis of multimorbidity patterns and associated outcomes in Spanish older adults: a prospective cohort study.

BACKGROUND: This study sought to identify multimorbidity patterns and determine the association between these latent classes with several outcomes, including health, functioning, disability, quality of life and use of services, at baseline and after 3 years of follow-up. METHODS: We analyzed data from a representative Spanish cohort of 3541 non-institutionalized people aged 50 years old and over. Measures were taken at baseline and after 3 years of follow-up. Latent Class Analysis (LCA) was conducted using eleven common chronic conditions. Generalized linear models were conducted to determine the adjusted association of multimorbidity latent classes with several outcomes. RESULTS: 63.8% of participants were assigned to the "healthy" class, with minimum disease, 30% were classified under the "metabolic/stroke" class and 6% were assigned to the "cardiorespiratory/mental/arthritis" class. Significant cross-sectional associations were found between membership of both multimorbidity classes and poorer memory, quality of life, greater burden and more use of services. After 3 years of follow-up, the "metabolic/stroke" class was a significant predictor of lower levels of verbal fluency while the two multimorbidity classes predicted poor quality of life, problems in independent living, higher risk of hospitalization and greater use of health services. CONCLUSIONS: Common chronic conditions in older people cluster together in broad categories. These broad clusters are qualitatively distinct and are important predictors of several health and functioning outcomes. Future studies are needed to understand underlying mechanisms and common risk factors for patterns of multimorbidity and to propose more effective treatments.