Evaluation of a Video-Based Education Intervention for Parents of Children Undergoing Fontan Surgery: A Cluster Randomized Controlled Trial.

Background: Fontan surgery is performed at 2-4 years of age and is the third planned surgical intervention for children with a univentricular heart. Major challenges for children and parents after Fontan include (a) psychological distress, (b) prolonged pleural drainage, and (c) the need for postoperative anticoagulation. The aim of this study was to evaluate a pre-Fontan video-based intervention for parents to address these challenges. Methods: This study is a single-centre mixed-methods cluster randomized controlled trial. The intervention consisted of 3 brief whiteboard videos offered online from preadmission clinic to 1 month postoperatively. The parent's State Trait Anxiety Inventory score and the child's Post Hospital Behaviour Questionnaire score were measured 1 week and 1 month postoperatively. Semistructured interviews were conducted to obtain parental feedback on the videos. Results: We enrolled 26 children (13 female patients; 16 intervention group) and 1 parent per child. Mean State Trait Anxiety Inventory scores were similar between groups at both 1 week (52.8 vs 55.5, P = 0.25) and 1 month postoperatively (50.9 vs 53.9, P = 0.25). Post Hospital Behaviour Questionnaire scores were in the maladaptive range but did not differ between groups. Parents agreed or strongly agreed that the videos were helpful but should be provided earlier in the preoperative process. The main value of the videos was recognized as being a method for standardizing information provided to parents. Conclusions: A video-based education intervention did not impact State Trait Anxiety Inventory or Post Hospital Behaviour Questionnaire scores. However, the majority of parents agreed that the videos were helpful.

Contexte: L'opération de Fontan est réalisée à l'âge de 2 à 4 ans et constitue la troisième intervention chirurgicale planifiée chez les enfants qui présentent un ventricule unique. Les enfants et leurs parents font face à des défis importants après une opération de Fontan, dont a) la détresse psychologique, b) le drainage pleural prolongé et c) la nécessité de recourir à une anticoagulothérapie après la chirurgie. Notre étude visait à évaluer une intervention éducative préopératoire sous forme de vidéos présentées aux parents afin de leur permettre de mieux relever ces défis. Méthodologie: Nous avons mené un essai monocentrique à méthodes mixtes et à répartition aléatoire par grappes avec groupe témoin. L'intervention éducative consistait en une série de trois courtes vidéos sur tableau blanc disponibles en ligne à partir de la consultation clinique de préadmission et jusqu'à un mois après la chirurgie. Les scores des parents à l'inventaire d'anxiété situationnelle et de trait d'anxiété (State Trait Anxiety Inventory) et les scores des enfants à l'évaluation du comportement suivant l'hospitalisation (Post Hospital Behaviour Questionnaire) ont été mesurés une semaine et un mois après l'opération. Des entrevues semi-dirigées ont été réalisées afin de recueillir les commentaires des parents au sujet des vidéos. Résultats: Nous avons recruté 26 enfants (dont 13 filles; 16 enfants ont été affectés au groupe d'intervention éducative) et un parent pour chacun des enfants. Les scores moyens obtenus au State Trait Anxiety Inventory étaient comparables entre les deux groupes une semaine (52,8 vs 55,5, p = 0,25) et un mois (50,9 vs 53,9, p = 0,25) après l'opération. Les scores obtenus au Post Hospital Behaviour Questionnaire se situaient dans la fourchette des comportements mésadaptés, mais ne différaient pas entre les groupes. Les parents étaient d'accord ou fortement d'accord pour dire que les vidéos étaient utiles, mais qu'elles auraient dû être offertes plus tôt dans le processus préopératoire. La valeur principale des vidéos était selon eux qu'il s'agissait d'un moyen d'uniformiser l'information transmise aux parents. Conclusions: Une intervention éducative sous forme de vidéos n'a pas eu d'incidence sur les scores obtenus au State Trait Anxiety Inventory ou au Post Hospital Behaviour Questionnaire. Toutefois, la majorité des parents ont trouvé que les vidéos étaient utiles.

Cognitive-behavioral therapy for anxiety disorders in children and adolescents: a systematic review of follow-up studies / Terapia cognitivo-comportamental para transtornos de ansiedade na infância e adolescência: revisão sistemática de estudos de seguimento

Objective To conduct a systematic review about the long-term response to cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT) for anxiety disorders (ADs) in children and adolescents. Methods The PubMed and ISI Web of Science databases were consulted. Search in the databases was performed in November 2012 and included cohort studies after CBT for ADs in children and adolescents with a follow-up period over 12 months. Results A total of 10 papers met the inclusion criteria. The follow-up period ranged from 12 months to 13 years and the results generally showed maintenance of the short-term benefits with CBT. However, the studies presented limitations, especially regarding methods, such as lack of a control group and losses to follow-up. Conclusion The long-term benefits of CBT were identified, however it would be interesting to conduct other studies with more frequent assessment periods, in order to minimize losses to follow-up, in addition to evaluating children and adolescents in the various stages of their development. .

Objetivo Realizar uma revisão sistemática sobre a resposta em longo prazo à terapia cognitivo-comportamental (TCC) para transtornos de ansiedade (TAs) em crianças e adolescentes. Métodos Foram consultadas as bases PubMed e ISI Web of Science. A pesquisa nas bases de dados foi realizada em novembro de 2012 e incluíram-se estudos de coorte após TCC para TAs na infância e adolescência com período de seguimento superior a 12 meses. Resultados Um total de 10 artigos preencheu os critérios de inclusão. O período de seguimento variou entre 12 meses e 13 anos e, em geral, os resultados indicaram a manutenção dos ganhos com a TCC em curto prazo. No entanto, os estudos apresentaram limitações, principalmente em relação ao método, como ausência de grupo controle e perdas de seguimento. Conclusão Foram identificados os benefícios da TCC em longo prazo, porém seria interessante a realização de outros estudos que mantivessem períodos de avaliação mais frequentes a fim de minimizar perdas de seguimento, além de avaliar a criança e o adolescente nas diferentes etapas de seu desenvolvimento. .

Frontal white matter integrity in adults with Down syndrome with and without dementia.

Adults with Down syndrome (DS) are at high risk for developing Alzheimer's disease after the age of 40 years. To detect white matter (WM) changes in the brain linked to dementia, fractional anisotropy (FA) from diffusion tensor imaging was used. We hypothesized that adults with DS without dementia (DS n = 10), DS with dementia (DSAD n = 10) and age matched non-DS subjects (CTL n = 10) would show differential levels of FA and an association with scores from the Brief Praxis Test and the Severe Impairment Battery. WM integrity differences in DS compared with CTL were found predominantly in the frontal lobes. Across all DS adults, poorer Brief Praxis Test performance correlated with reduced FA in the corpus callosum as well as several association tracts, primarily within frontoparietal regions. Our results demonstrate significantly lower WM integrity in DS compared with controls, particularly in the frontal tracts. DS-related WM integrity reductions in a number of tracts were associated with poorer cognition. These preliminary results suggest that late myelinating frontal pathways may be vulnerable to aging in DS.

Cognitive-behavioral group therapy for youths with anxiety disorders in the community: effectiveness in low and middle income countries.

BACKGROUND: Although cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT) is established as a first line treatment for anxiety disorders in children and adolescents, there is little evidence about the effectiveness of CBT protocols in cases identified in the community in low and middle income countries (LaMICs). AIMS: To evaluate the effectiveness of group CBT protocol for youths with anxiety disorders identified in a community sample in LaMICs. METHOD: A total of 14 sessions of group CBT for youths and 2 concurrent sessions for parents based on Kendall's Coping Cat program were offered. Participants were selected from a cross-sectional community study; 45 subjects fulfilled inclusion criteria and 28 agreed to participate in the open clinical trial. Treatment effectiveness was evaluated with standard clinical, self- and parent-rated measures of anxiety, depression, externalizing symptoms and quality of life (QoL). RESULTS: Twenty youths completed the protocol. All scales showed an improvement of anxiety and reduction in externalizing symptoms over time, with a moderate to large effect size (d = 0.59 to 2.06; p < .05), but not in depressive symptoms or QoL. CONCLUSIONS: Consistent with previous evidence, group CBT is effective in treating anxiety disorders in youths. Results encourage further randomized clinical trials using CBT protocols adapted and developed to be used in LaMICs.

[Prevalence of risk factors for acute coronary syndrome in patients treated in an emergency service]. / Prevalência de fatores de risco para síndrome coronariana aguda em pacientes atendidos em uma emergência.

Our purpose is to characterize the profile of patients with Acute Coronary Syndrome (ACS) assisted in an emergency service in Porto Alegre. The characterization of the profiles focus on risk factors. This prevalence study was carried out from August, 2007 to February 2008. To collect the data, we developed a questionnaire, checked bedside assessment and measured anthropometric evaluation. 152 patients had their ACS evaluated, of which 63.8% were males, with an average age of 61 +/- 10.26 years. 50.7% had acute myocardial infarction non-ST elevation, 14.5% acute myocardial infarction with-ST elevation, and 34.9% unstable Angina. Risk factors were sedentariness (86.8%); overweightness and obesity (77%); systemic arterial hypertension (75.7%); family history (56.6%); stress (52.6%); dyslipidemia (44.7%); diabetes mellitus (40.1%); tobacco smoking (39.5%); and alcohol consumption (14.4%). A high prevalence of risk factors for ACS was verified, indicating a necessity of health education programs to reduce morbimortality.

Comparison of recruitment efforts targeted at primary care physicians versus the community at large for participation in Alzheimer disease clinical trials.

Inefficient and delayed recruitment into clinical trials in Alzheimer disease are major obstacles impeding progress in the discovery of more effective therapeutic strategies to combat this disease. Despite widespread recognition of this problem, limited empirical data demonstrating the effectiveness of specific recruitment strategies are available to guide recruitment endeavors. This study was designed to evaluate the effectiveness of recruitment efforts targeting either the primary care health professionals (PCPs) or patients and families with a community grass-roots outreach event. The primary outcome measure was actual study recruitment and participation in the 4 months postintervention. No research subjects were recruited from the PCP intervention, whereas 69 subjects were recruited into clinical studies from the community grass-roots outreach event activity (0% vs. 28%, P<0.0001, Fisher exact test). Barriers to recruitment success in the PCP arm included a perception of perceived harm to subjects from research participation and fear of losing patients through clinical research participation. Our results suggest that outreach efforts directed at the potential study subject/caregiver are not only cost-effective but are able to easily accomplish the desired result of direct recruitment into clinical research studies.

Prevalência de fatores de risco para síndrome coronariana aguda em pacientes atendidos em uma emergência / Prevalencia de los factores de riesgo para el síndrome coronario agudo en los pacientes tratados en una emergencia / Prevalence of risk factors for acute coronary syndrome in patients treated in an emergency service

Objetivou-se caracterizar o perfil do paciente portador de Síndrome Coronária Aguda (SCA) atendido em um serviço de emergência de Porto Alegre, Rio Grande do Sul, no que se refere aos fatores de risco. Estudo de prevalência entre agosto de 2007 e fevereiro de 2008. Para coleta de dados, foi utilizado um questionário, consulta ao prontuário e aferição de medidas antropométricas. Foram avaliados 152 pacientes com SCA, 63,8% do sexo masculino, idade média de 61±10,26 anos. Com diagnóstico de infarto agudo do miocárdio sem supradesnivelamento de ST em 50,7%, infarto agudo do miocárdio com supradesnivelamento de ST em 14,5% e angina instável em 34,9%. Os fatores de risco foram: sedentarismo (86,8%); sobrepeso e obesidade (77%); hipertensão arterial sistêmica (75,7%); história familiar (56,6%); estresse (52,6%); dislipidemia (44,7%); diabete mellitus (40,1%); tabagismo (39,5%); e ingesta de álcool (14,4%). Constatou-se uma alta prevalência de fatores de risco para SCA, necessitando de programas de educação em saúde, visando reduzir a morbi-mortalidade.

Propusimos caracterizar el perfil de pacientes portadores del Síndrome Coronariano Agudo (SCA) en un servicio de emergencia de Porto Alegre, Rio Grande do Sul, Brasil, en lo que se refiere a los factores de riesgo. Estudio de prevalencia entre agosto/2007 y febrero/2008. Para la colecta de datos, fue utilizado un cuestionario, consulta al prontuario y contraste de medidas antropométricas. Fueron evaluados 152pacientes con SCA, 63,8% de sexo masculino, edad media de 61 ± 10,26 años. Con diagnóstico de infarto agudo del miocardio sin elevación ST en 50,7%, infarto agudo del miocardio con elevación ST en 14,5% y angina inestable 34,9%. Los factores de riesgo fueron, sedentarismo (86,8%); sobrepeso y obesidad (77%); hipertensión arterial sistémica (75,7%); histórico familiar (56,6%); estrés (52,6%); dislipidemia (44,7%);diabetes mellitus (40,1%); tabaquismo (39,5%); ingesta de alcohol(14,4%). Se constató una alta prevalencia de factores de riesgo para el SCA,necesitando programas de educación en salud, considerando reducir la morbimortalidad.

Our purpose is to characterize the profile of patients with Acute Coronary Syndrome (ACS) assisted in an emergency service in Porto Alegre. The characterization of the profiles focus on risk factors. This prevalence study was carried out from August, 2007 to February, 2008. To collect the data, we developed a questionnaire, checked bedside assessment and measured anthropometric evaluation. 152 patients had their ACS evaluated, of which 63,8% were males, with an average age of 61 ± 10,26 years. 50,7% had acute myocardial infarction non-STelevation, 14,5% acute myocardial infarction with-ST elevation, and 34,9% unstable Angina. Risk factors were sedentariness (86,8%); overweightness and obesity (77%); systemic arterial hypertension (75,7%); family history (56,6%); stress (52,6%); dyslipidemia (44,7%);diabetes mellitus (40,1%); tobacco smoking (39,5%); and alcohol consumption (14,4%). A high prevalence of risk factors for ACS wasverified, indicating a necessity of health education programs to reduce morbimortality.

[Nurses' view on the coordination of health actions among professionals of family health teams]. / Visão de enfermeiras sobre as articulações das ações de saúde entre profissionais de equipes de saúde da família.

This study was aimed at knowing the conception nurses who work in the Family Health Program have about the development of teamwork regarding the coordination of the actions of the various professionals that comprise it. It is a descriptive study with a qualitative approach. The data collection was carried out through semi-structured interviews with 23 nurses. The analysis of the data was carried out based on Theme Analysis. The results showed that the nurses, at certain moments, coordinate their actions with the other professionals of the team. However, there are factors that make this coordination difficult, such as excess of demand from users and lack of time for the professionals to prepare the collective planning of their practices and develop preventive actions. According to the results obtained, it is necessary to reorganize the work process in order to perform an effectively integrated work.

Visão de enfermeiras sobre as articulações das ações de saúde entre profissionais de equipes de saúde da família / Vision de enfermeras acerca de las articulaciones de las acciones de salud entre profesionales de equipos de salud de la familia / Nurses' view on the coordination of health actions among professionals of family health teams

Este estudo objetivou conhecer a concepção de enfermeiras que atuam no Programa de Saúde da Família sobre o desenvolvimento do trabalho em equipe, no que diz respeito à articulação das ações dos diversos profissionais que a compõem. Trata-se de um estudo descritivo de abordagem qualitativa. A coleta de dados foi realizada por meio de entrevistas semi-estruturadas com 23 enfermeiras. A análise dos dados foi realizada com base na Análise Temática. Os resultados mostraram que as enfermeiras, em alguns momentos, articulam suas ações com os demais profissionais da equipe. Entretanto, existem fatores que dificultam essa articulação como o excesso de demanda de usuários, a falta de tempo dos profissionais para realizar o planejamento coletivo de suas práticas e desenvolver ações preventivas. Conforme os resultados obtidos, torna-se necessária a reorganização do processo de trabalho, com intenções da realização de um trabalho efetivamente integrado.

This study was aimed at knowing the conception nurses who work in the Family Health Program have about the development of teamwork regarding the coordination of the actions of the various professionals that comprise it. It is a descriptive study with a qualitative approach. The data collection was carried out through semi-structured interviews with 23 nurses. The analysis of the data was carried out based on Theme Analysis. The results showed that the nurses, at certain moments, coordinate their actions with the other professionals of the team. However, there are factors that make this coordination difficult, such as excess of demand from users and lack of time for the professionals to prepare the collective planning of their practices and develop preventive actions. According to the results obtained, it is necessary to reorganize the work process in order to perform an effectively integrated work.

Este estudio tuvo por objetivo conocer la concepción de enfermeras, que actúan en el Programa de Salud de la Familia, respecto al desarrollo del trabajo en equipo, en cuanto a la articulación de las acciones de los diversos profesionales que lo componen. Se trata de un estudio descriptivo de abordaje cualitativo. La recolección de datos fue realizada por medio de entrevistas semi-estructuradas a 23 enfermeras. El análisis de los datos se hizo con base en el Análisis Temático. Los resultados mostraron que las enfermeras, en algunos momentos, articulan sus acciones con los demás profesionales del equipo. No obstante, existen factores que dificultan esa articulación como el exceso de demanda de usuarios, la falta de tiempo de los profesionales para realizar la planificación colectiva de sus prácticas y desarrollar acciones preventivas. De acuerdo a los resultados obtenidos, se torna necesaria la reorganización del proceso de trabajo, con el objetivo de realizar un trabajo efectivamente integrado.

Acesso e acolhimento em unidades de saúde na visão dos usuários / Access and quality care in health care centers from the users' point of view

OBJETIVO: Caracterizar, a partir da opinião dos usuários, o acesso ao atendimento e a prestação do serviço oferecido, quanto à forma como são acolhidos em unidades de saúde de Porto Alegre. MÉTODOS: Entrevistas semi-estruturadas com usuários em duas unidades de saúde, realizadas entre outubro e dezembro de 2002 e de julho a novembro de 2003. Os dados foram submetidos à análise de conteúdo temático. RESULTADOS: Foram identificados fatores ligados ao acesso funcional, tais como a espera prolongada, a necessidade de chegar muito cedo para garantir o atendimento. O acesso geográfico foi considerado adequado pelos usuários. Quanto ao acolhimento, desempenho profissional, durante o atendimento, e o vínculo estabelecido entre o usuário e o serviço de saúde, foram os principais fatores valorizados pelos usuários. CONCLUSÃO: O acolhimento relaciona-se com o vínculo entre o usuário e o serviço de saúde, com a resolutividade do atendimento e com a adequação do serviço às necessidades dos clientes.

OBJECTIVE: To describe the user's opinion regarding access and quality care in health centers in Porto Alegre, Brazil. METHODS: Data were collect through semi-structured interviews among users of two health care centers from October to December, 2002 and from July to November, 2003. Data were examined with content analysis. RESULTS: Users reported they were subjected to long waiting periods; they had to arrive very early to be seen. The geographic access was considered appropriate. Users appreciated professional courtesy and quality care, and the bond established between them and the health's care service. CONCLUSION: Quality care was connected to the bond established between the user and the health care centers, which addressed appropriately the needs of the clients.

OBJETIVO: Caracterizar, a partir de la opinión de los usuarios, el acceso a la atención y prestación del servicio ofrecido, en cuanto a la forma cómo son acogidos en unidades de salud de Porto Alegre. MÉTODOS: Se llevaron a cabo entrevistas semi-estructuradas con usuarios en dos unidades de salud, entre octubre y diciembre del 2002 y de julio a noviembre del 2003. Los datos fueron sometidos a análisis de contenido temático. RESULTADOS: Fueron identificados factores ligados al acceso funcional tales como la espera prolongada, la necesidad de llegar muy temprano para garantizar la atención. El acceso geográfico fue considerado adecuado por los usuarios. En cuanto a la acogida, el desempeño profesional, durante la atención, y el vínculo establecido entre el usuario y el servicio de salud fueron los principales factores valorizados por los usuarios. CONCLUSION: La acogida se relaciona con el vínculo entre el usuario y el servicio de salud, con la capacidad de resolución de la atención y con la adecuación del servicio a las necesidades de los clientes.