La actualización sobre el uso racional de medicamentos en el proceso de superación del médico general integral en Cuba: aspectos históricos / Upgrading on the rational use of medications in the training process of the comprehensive general doctor in Cuba: historical aspects

La relevancia y el alcance del uso racional de medicamentos y su contribución al mejoramiento de la salud poblacional constituyen suficientes argumentos para que el médico general integral en Cuba lo adopte como modalidad de superación que cualifica su desempeño profesional. Al respecto, se han desarrollado varios estudios históricos sobre la superación de este especialista; sin embargo, se requiere profundizar en determinados temas que pueden aportarle un sentido renovador como prescriptor de medicamentos. A tal efecto, en este artículo se exponen los antecedentes del proceso de educación de posgrado de este galeno, con énfasis en la actualización sobre el uso racional de medicamentos. Pudo concluirse que existen vacíos importantes en el diseño de superación profesional en cuanto al uso racional de medicamentos en la atención primaria de salud; no obstante, se reconoce la trascendencia social de esa problemática por parte de los niveles directivos correspondientes.

The relevance and reach of the rational use of medications and their contribution to the improvement of the populational health constitute enough arguments so that the comprehensive general doctor in Cuba adopts it as training modality that qualifies his professional performance. In this respect, several historical studies have been developed on the training of these specialists; however, it is required to deepen in certain topics that can contribute a renovating sense to them as drugs prescribers. To such an effect, the history of the postdegree educational process of this doctor is exposed in this work, with emphasis in upgrading on the rational use of medications. It could be concluded that there are important gaps in the training design as for the rational use of medications in the primary health care; nevertheless, the social transcendency of that problem is recognized on the part of the corresponding directive levels.

Assistência farmacêutica no cuidado à saúde na Atenção Primária: tão perto, tão longe / Pharmaceutical care in Primary Health care: so close, so far

Resumo A expansão da Atenção Primária à Saúde (APS) exigiu mudanças na Assistência Farmacêutica, de maneira a aumentar a cobertura da distribuição gratuita de medicamentos e reforçando a necessidade do uso racional de medicamentos. O objetivo deste trabalho foi estudar a Assistência Farmacêutica na produção do cuidado na APS, contribuindo para o entendimento do uso racional de medicamentos. Método: Optou-se por analisar o material de uma investigação de natureza etnográfica, realizada no ano de 2014 em sete Unidades Básicas de Saúde. Além disso, realizou-se um seminário com atores institucionais das Unidades estudadas, de forma a aumentar a lateralidade dos resultados. Resultados: Foi possível identificar cenas e falas, que se conectavam e davam visibilidades a elementos micropolíticos relacionados ao uso de medicamentos, a autonomia profissional − o papel do médico na prescrição dos medicamentos e o usuário prescritor do seu cuidado. Conclusão: O que acontece depois que o usuário deixa a Unidade com seus medicamentos retirados na farmácia parece ainda ficar oculto aos olhos dos profissionais de saúde. O estudo produz indicações de algumas falhas na atuação da Assistência Farmacêutica e mostra o quanto estamos distantes de uma gestão do cuidado que inclua o uso racional de medicamentos em suas múltiplas racionalidades.

Abstract The expansion of Primary Health Care required changes in Pharmaceutical Care, in order to increase the coverage of the free distribution of medicines and reinforcing the need for the rational use of medicines. This work aimed to study Pharmaceutical Care in the production of care in Primary Health Care, contributing to the understanding of rational use of medicines. Method: We chose to analyze the material of an ethnographic investigation, carried out in 2014 in seven Basic Health Units. In addition, a seminar was held with institutional actors from the Units studied, in order to increase the laterality of the results. Results: It was possible to identify scenes and speeches, which connected and gave visibility to micropolitical elements related to the use of medicines, professional autonomy - the role of the physician in the prescription of medicines and the user who prescribes their care. Conclusion: What happens after the user leaves the UBS with his medicines taken at the pharmacy still seems to be hidden from the eyes of health professionals. The study produces indications of some flaws in the performance of Pharmaceutical Care and shows how far we are from a care management that includes the rational use of medicines in its multiple rationalities.

How do Swiss general practitioners agree with and report adhering to a top-five list of unnecessary tests and treatments? Results of a cross-sectional survey.

BACKGROUND: In 2014, the 'Smarter Medicine' campaign released a top five list of unnecessary tests and treatments in Swiss primary care, such as imaging for acute low-back pain and long-term prescribing of proton pump inhibitors. OBJECTIVES: Measure general practitioners' (GPs) agreement with the recommendations and self-reported adherence. METHODS: Cross-sectional, online survey of GPs in the 'Swiss primary care active monitoring' (SPAM) network, which assessed awareness of 'Smarter Medicine' and views on each recommendation. Questions included whether the clinical situation is common, whether the recommendation is followed, whether GPs agree with the recommendation and reasons why the recommendation would not be followed. RESULTS: One-hundred-and-sixty-seven of 277 GPs from the SPAM network participated (60%), of which 104 (62%) knew of 'Smarter Medicine', including 79% in German areas, 49% in French areas and 38% in Italian areas (P < 0.001). Agreement with the five recommendations was high, with scores around nine out of 10. The proportion saying they typically follow each recommendation was 68 to 74%, except not continuing long-term PPI prescriptions without attempting dose reduction, with only 34%. Common reasons for not following the recommendations were patient or other provider requests and situations that might suggest the need for more aggressive care. CONCLUSION: Two years after the launch of the campaign, awareness and acceptance of 'Smarter Medicine' appear to be high among Swiss GPs. By self-report, the recommendations are adhered to by most of the respondents but there may be room for improvement, especially for long-term PPI prescriptions.

Estratégia saúde da família e uso racional de medicamentos: o trabalho dos agentes comunitários em palmas (to) / Family health strategy and the rational use of medications: work of the community agents of the municipality of palmas (to) / Estrategia slud de la familia y el uso racional de medicamentos: el trabajo de los agentes comunitarios del municipio de palmas (to)

Resumo Procurou-se analisar as ações dos agentes comunitários de saúde referentes à orientação da comunidade sobre o uso racional de medicamentos na Estratégia Saúde da Família em Palmas, capital do estado do Tocantins. Tratou-se de estudo descritivo-exploratório, de abordagem quantitativa, realizado com 246 agentes entre janeiro e abril de 2014. A coleta de dados foi por questionário, objetivando verificar a formação e a informação específica sobre medicamentos e os riscos da farmacoterapia no trabalho dos participantes da pesquisa. Observou-se que 88% dos agentes não realizaram curso de capacitação sobre medicamentos; 75,5% consideraram não ter conhecimento suficiente para dar orientações sobre medicamentos; 80,41% informaram que em nenhuma vez foram discutidos pela equipe temas sobre medicamentos; e 90,20% sentiam necessidade dessa formação. O estudo revelou que esses profissionais buscavam informações em várias fontes - as bulas de medicamentos constituíam a principal (71,14%). Dos agentes comunitários de saúde, respectivamente 52,46% e 50% referenciaram o enfermeiro para solucionar problemas e sanar dúvidas sobre farmacoterapia. Dentre eles, 68,03% consideraram importante orientar as famílias, mas afirmaram precisar de educação permanente. Evidenciou-se a necessidade de qualificação e formação do agente comunitário na promoção do uso racional de medicamentos, considerando o seu papel como promotor de saúde na comunidade.

Abstract An analysis was made of actions carried out by community health agents regarding community guidance on the rational use of medications in the Family Health Strategy in the municipality of Palmas, state of Tocantins, Brazil. This was a descriptive and exploratory study with a quantitative approach, done with 246 agents between January and April 2014. Data were collected via a questionnaire to verify the training and specific information on medications and on the risks of pharmacotherapy in their work. It was noted that 88%of the agents had no training on medications; 75.5% believed they did not have enough knowledge to provide guidance on medications; 80.41% said that the team never discussed topics on medications, and 90.20%felt they needed such training. The study revealed that these professionals sought information from various sources - medication insert leaflets were their main source (71.14%). Among the community health agents, respectively 52.46% and 50% asked for help from the nurse to solve issues and answer questions about pharmacotherapy. Among them, 68.03% considered it important to provide guidance to the families, but they said they need permanent education. There was a clear need for community agent qualification and training in promoting the rational use of medications, considering their role as health promoters in the community.

Resumen Por medio del estudio presentado en este artículo se buscó analizar las acciones de los agentes comunitarios de salud, referentes a la orientación de la comunidad sobre el uso racional de medicamentos en la Estrategia Salud de la Familia en Palmas, en el estado de Tocantins, Brasil. Se trató de un estudio descriptivo y exploratorio, de enfoque cuantitativo, realizado con 246 agentes entre enero y abril de 2014. La recolección de datos fue mediante cuestionario, apuntando a verificar la formación y la información específicas sobre medicamentos y los riesgos de la farmacoterapia en su trabajo. Se observó que el 88% de los agentes no realizaron curso de capacitación sobre medicamentos; el 75,5% consideraron no tener conocimiento suficiente para dar orientaciones sobre medicamentos; el 80,41% informaron que en ningún momento se discutieron en el equipo temas sobre medicamentos; y el 90,20% sentía la necesidad de esa formación. El estudio reveló que estos profesionales buscaban información en varias fuentes —los prospectos de los medicamentos constituían la principal (71,14%). De los agentes comunitarios de salud, respectivamente el 52,46% y el 50% tomaban como referencia el enfermero para solucionar problemas y evacuar dudas sobre farmacoterapia. Entre ellos, el 68,03% consideraban importante orientar a las familias, pero afirmaron precisar educación permanente. Se puso de manifiesto la necesidad de calificación y formación del agente comunitario en el fomento del uso racional de medicamentos, considerando su papel como promotor de la salud en la comunidad.

Propuesta metodológica para el funcionamiento de los Comités Farmacoterapéuticos en la Atención Primaria de Salud / Methodological proposal for the operation of Pharmacotherapy Committees in Primary Health Care

La OMS ha intensificado sus esfuerzos por promover y alcanzar un uso racional del medicamento para contribuir al bienestar del individuo y de la sociedad. El comité farmacoterapéutico es un foro para la mejora de la prestación de servicios de salud, es también un instrumento para fomentar un uso más eficaz y racional de los medicamentos. En Cuba se ha comprobado que existen problemas de uso irracional, lo que hace pensar que los comités farmacoterapéuticos no están funcionando según lo establecido. Objetivo: brindar una metodología a las instituciones de la Atención Primaria de Salud para el correcto funcionamiento del comité farmacoterapéutico. Método: se realizó una revisión exhaustiva de la literatura científica sobre los aspectos relacionados con cada apartado, se designó a un grupo multidisciplinario de profesionales expertos, procedentes de las áreas de Atención Primaria de Salud y Farmacoepidemiología con experiencia en el tema. El texto final estuvo sometido a comentarios y sugerencias, las recomendaciones fueron consensuadas por todo el grupo redactor. Resultados: se obtuvo un documento dirigido a los profesionales prescriptores y todos aquellos que realizan las tareas específicas de mejora de uso de medicamentos en las instituciones correspondientes a la Atención Primaria de Salud y a los gestores sanitarios que deben fomentarlas. La aplicación del mismo traerá como consecuencia beneficios médicos, económicos y sociales, una vez implantada la estrategia que estimulen e impulsen la actividad de dichos comité y así lograr un uso eficiente y racional de los medicamentos. Conclusiones: la metodología aportada por este documento hará que los CFT funcionen como foros de discusión para un uso adecuado, racional y seguro de los medicamentos...

The World Health Organization (WHO) has intensified its efforts to promote and achieve a rational use of medications to contribute to the individual and social welfare. The Pharmacotherapy Committee is a forum for improving health care services and is also considered an instrument to foster a more efficient and rational use of medication. In Cuba, it has been proven that there is an irrational use of medications, what makes us think that the Pharmacotherapy Committees are not functioning in accordance with the established. Objective: to provide a methodology to Primary Health Care institutions for the correct operation of the Pharmacotherapy Committee. Method: we conducted a detailed review of the scientific literature about the aspects related to each section and designed a multidisciplinary group of professional experts from Primary Health Care areas and Pharmacoepidemiology with experience on the topic. The final text was submitted to comments and suggestions and the recommendations were agreed by the consensus among the whole editor group. Results: we obtained a document which was directed to all professional prescribers and those that perform specific tasks for the improvement of the use of medications in Primary Health Care institutions as well as the sanitary managers that should encourage them. The application of this document will result in medical, economic and social benefits once the strategy has been implemented. These benefits should stimulate and promote the activities of such committees to achieve an efficient and rational use of medications. Conclusions: the methodology provided by this document will make the Pharmacotherapy Committees function as discussion forums for a safe, rational and adequate use of medications...