RESUMO
OBJECTIVES: The aim of the study was to describe adherence to health regimens and the factors associated with it among adult frequent attenders (FAs). DESIGN: This was a cross-sectional study. The study sample consisted of 462 healthcare FAs in 7 municipal health centres in northern Finland. An FA is a person who has had 8 or more outpatient visits to a GP (in a health centre) or 4 or more outpatient visits to a university hospital during 1 year. The main outcome was self-reported adherence to health regimens. RESULTS: Of the FAs, 82% adhered well to their health regimens. Carrying out self-care, medical care and feeling responsible for self-care were the most significant predictors to good adherence in all models. No significant differences in adherence were found in male and female subjects, age groups or educational levels. Support from healthcare providers and support from relatives were not significant predictors of good adherence. CONCLUSION: FAs in Finland adhere well to health regimens and exceptionally well to medication. Variables that predict the best adherence of FAs to health regimens are carrying out self-care, receiving medical care and feeling responsible for self-care.
Assuntos
Mau Uso de Serviços de Saúde/estatística & dados numéricos , Adesão à Medicação/estatística & dados numéricos , Cooperação do Paciente/estatística & dados numéricos , Atenção Primária à Saúde/estatística & dados numéricos , Autocuidado/estatística & dados numéricos , Adulto , Fatores Etários , Estudos Transversais , Feminino , Finlândia , Humanos , Masculino , Pessoa de Meia-Idade , Visita a Consultório Médico/estatística & dados numéricos , Avaliação de Resultados em Cuidados de Saúde , Medição de Risco , Fatores SexuaisRESUMO
OBJECTIVE: To analyse the prevalence of GAD and other anxiety disorders, as well as sensitivity and specificity of GAD-7 among high utilizers of health care. SETTING: Four municipal health centres in Northern Finland. SUBJECTS: A psychiatric interview was conducted for 150 high utilizers of health care. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Prevalence of GAD as well as sensitivity and specificity of GAD-7. RESULTS: The prevalence of GAD was 4% in this study group of Finnish high utilizers of health care. The sensitivity of GAD-7 was 100.0% (95% CI 54.1-100.0) and the specificity of GAD-7 was 82.6% (95% CI 75.4-88.4) with a cut-off point of 7 or more. CONCLUSION: GAD is rather common among high utilizers of primary care, although the prevalence of 4% is lower than that previously reported. GAD-7 is a valid and useful tool for detecting GAD among primary health care patients.
