The impact of dietary supplements on blood pressure in older adults: A network meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials.

Purpose: The prevalence of hypertension (HTN) increases with age and there is a need for effective, evidence-based treatments for HTN among older adults. The objective of this study was to perform a network meta-analysis to evaluate the effectiveness of different forms of nutritional supplementation on reducing blood pressure in older adults. Methods: A systematic review using PubMed and Clinical Key was performed to identify randomized controlled trials (RCTs) evaluating the effects of dietary supplements on blood pressure in adults older than 65 years of age. Network meta-analysis (NMA) was used to compare and rank the effects of different supplements on systolic (sBP), diastolic (dBP), and mean (mBP) blood pressure. Supplements were ranked according to P score. Meta-regressions were conducted to examine whether treatment effects were moderated by baseline BP and supplementation duration. Findings: We identified 144 relevant studies in the literature, twelve of which met criteria for inclusion in NMA. The included studies were published between 2003 and 2022. In reducing sBP, docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) and eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA), inorganic nitrates, tart cherry juice, and vitamin D supplementation were more effective than placebo, and the effect of tart cherry juice outranked that of vitamin D, vitamin E, and vitamin K2. In reducing dBP, inorganic nitrates, DHA and EPA, protein, resveratrol, and vitamin D supplementation were more effective than placebo, and the effect of resveratrol outranked that of tart cherry juice, vitamin D, vitamin E, and vitamin K2. However, the effects of tart cherry juice on sBP and resveratrol on dPB were smaller than the pooled effect of placebo, and none of the pairwise differences between the effects of examined supplements were statistically significant. Caution is needed when interpreting these results given concerns about the risk of bias assessed in seven of the twelve studies included in this analysis.

Psychometric Evaluation and Misophonic Experience in a Portuguese-Speaking Sample.

Misophonia, a disorder characterised by an extreme sensitivity to certain sounds, is increasingly being studied in cross-cultural settings. The S-Five scale is a multidimensional psychometric tool initially developed to measure the severity of misophonia in English-speaking populations. The scale has been validated in several languages, and the present study aimed to validate the European Portuguese S-Five scale in a Portuguese-speaking sample. The scale was translated into Portuguese using a forward-backwards translation method. The psychometric properties of the S-Five scale were evaluated in a sample of 491 Portuguese-speaking adults. Confirmatory factor analysis supported a five-factor structure consistent with previous versions of the S-Five scale. The five factors were as follows: (1) internalising appraisals, (2) externalising appraisals, (3) perceived threat and avoidance behaviour, (4) outbursts, and (5) impact on functioning. The satisfactory psychometric properties of the S-Five scale further indicated its cross-cultural stability. As a psychometrically robust tool, the S-Five can measure misophonia in Portuguese-speaking populations, allowing future studies to explore and compare misophonia in this population.

COVID-19 or threat of a nuclear war in Europe? A cross-sectional study of anxiety levels in adults living in Portugal.

Background: Since 2019, Europe has experienced ongoing stressors with the emergence of the COVID-19 pandemic and the Russian-Ukrainian War, which have had social, financial, physical, and psychological impacts. Studies suggest that anxiety, fear, post-traumatic stress disorder, depression, and other psychological disorders are common in such situations, and there is a need for more research on the impact of the war on mental health in Portugal. The main goal of the present study was to assess the impact of the fear of COVID-19 and anxiety related to nuclear war on the general anxiety levels of adult individuals living in Portugal. Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted from May to July 2022 using an online questionnaire built on the Google Forms platform. Portuguese-speaking male and female individuals aged 18 years or older, who provided informed consent and agreed to participate, were included. The outcome variable was defined using the Portuguese version of the GAD-7 scale, while the main predictors were the FCV-19S and the NWA Scale in Portuguese. Linear and logistic regression models were used to test associations between predictors and outcome variable. Results: The study included 1,182 participants, with a mean age of 46.5 (±11.7) years, mostly women (80.6%). The global mean GAD-7 score was 5.8 (±4.5) points, and 17.9% of the participants scored above the 10-point cutoff. Higher scores were found in both the FCV-19S and the NWA scale among participants with anxiety, as measured by both a 10-point cutoff (p < 0.001), and GAD-7 scale mean scores (p < 0.001). The study showed that fear of COVID-19 [OR of 1.133 (95%CI: 1.097-1.170)] and, at a lesser extent, nuclear war anxiety [OR of 1.020 (95%CI, 1.009-1.031)] contribute to anxiety in the general population. This is also true for those with a personal history of anxiety, revealed by multiple regression. Discussion: This study contributes to the research on COVID-19's impact on anxiety and provides the first comprehensive assessment of nuclear war anxiety in Portugal. Results highlight the need for long-term care for anxiety, as prevalence is expected to increase due to the pandemic and war, even in non-conflict areas like Portugal.

2023 UPDATE: Luso-Brazilian evidence-based guideline for the management of antidiabetic therapy in type 2 diabetes.

BACKGROUND: The management of antidiabetic therapy in people with type 2 diabetes (T2D) has evolved beyond glycemic control. In this context, Brazil and Portugal defined a joint panel of four leading diabetes societies to update the guideline published in 2020. METHODS: The panelists searched MEDLINE (via PubMed) for the best evidence from clinical studies on treating T2D and its cardiorenal complications. The panel searched for evidence on antidiabetic therapy in people with T2D without cardiorenal disease and in patients with T2D and atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease (ASCVD), heart failure (HF), or diabetic kidney disease (DKD). The degree of recommendation and the level of evidence were determined using predefined criteria. RESULTS AND CONCLUSIONS: All people with T2D need to have their cardiovascular (CV) risk status stratified and HbA1c, BMI, and eGFR assessed before defining therapy. An HbA1c target of less than 7% is adequate for most adults, and a more flexible target (up to 8%) should be considered in frail older people. Non-pharmacological approaches are recommended during all phases of treatment. In treatment naïve T2D individuals without cardiorenal complications, metformin is the agent of choice when HbA1c is 7.5% or below. When HbA1c is above 7.5% to 9%, starting with dual therapy is recommended, and triple therapy may be considered. When HbA1c is above 9%, starting with dual therapyt is recommended, and triple therapy should be considered. Antidiabetic drugs with proven CV benefit (AD1) are recommended to reduce CV events if the patient is at high or very high CV risk, and antidiabetic agents with proven efficacy in weight reduction should be considered when obesity is present. If HbA1c remains above target, intensification is recommended with triple, quadruple therapy, or even insulin-based therapy. In people with T2D and established ASCVD, AD1 agents (SGLT2 inhibitors or GLP-1 RA with proven CV benefit) are initially recommended to reduce CV outcomes, and metformin or a second AD1 may be necessary to improve glycemic control if HbA1c is above the target. In T2D with HF, SGLT2 inhibitors are recommended to reduce HF hospitalizations and mortality and to improve HbA1c. In patients with DKD, SGLT2 inhibitors in combination with metformin are recommended when eGFR is above 30 mL/min/1.73 m2. SGLT2 inhibitors can be continued until end-stage kidney disease.

Measuring adherence to inhaled control medication in patients with asthma: Comparison among an asthma app, patient self-report and physician assessment.

BACKGROUND: Previous studies have demonstrated the feasibility of using an asthma app to support medication management and adherence but failed to compare with other measures currently used in clinical practice. However, in a clinical setting, any additional adherence measurement must be evaluated in the context of both the patient and physician perspectives so that it can also help improve the process of shared decision making. Thus, we aimed to compare different measures of adherence to asthma control inhalers in clinical practice, namely through an app, patient self-report and physician assessment. METHODS: This study is a secondary analysis of three prospective multicentre observational studies with patients (≥13 years old) with persistent asthma recruited from 61 primary and secondary care centres in Portugal. Patients were invited to use the InspirerMundi app and register their inhaled medication. Adherence was measured by the app as the number of doses taken divided by the number of doses scheduled each day and two time points were considered for analysis: 1-week and 1-month. At baseline, patients and physicians independently assessed adherence to asthma control inhalers during the previous week using a Visual Analogue Scale (VAS 0-100). RESULTS: A total of 193 patients (72% female; median [P25-P75] age 28 [19-41] years old) were included in the analysis. Adherence measured by the app was lower (1 week: 31 [0-71]%; 1 month: 18 [0-48]%) than patient self-report (80 [60-95]) and physician assessment (82 [51-94]) (p < 0.001). A negligible non-significant correlation was found between the app and subjective measurements (ρ 0.118-0.156, p > 0.05). There was a moderate correlation between patient self-report and physician assessment (ρ = 0.596, p < 0.001). CONCLUSIONS: Adherence measured by the app was lower than that reported by the patient or the physician. This was expected as objective measurements are commonly lower than subjective evaluations, which tend to overestimate adherence. Nevertheless, the low adherence measured by the app may also be influenced by the use of the app itself and this needs to be considered in future studies.

Compassion and extracurricular activities of Portuguese Health Sciences students in Portugal.

BACKGROUND: Compassion, one of the items of empathy, is crucial in health care professions. So, the evaluation of the levels of compassion of Medicine, Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences Master Degrees' (M.D.) students of the public Colleges in Portugal according to the type of Master Degree and the participation in extracurricular activities (E.A.) was a task to be performed. METHODS: Cross-sectional study in 2020, applying an on-line questionnaire including the "Compassion" items of the Jefferson Medical Empathy Scale - Students' version and questions about the participation in E.A. RESULTS: A sample of 901 students was studied. Its distribution by participation in E.A. did not differ significantly between M.D. (p = 0,854), most of the students participating in E.A. Using quartile distribution of compassion, the distribution of compassion levels was different among the three I.M. (p < 0.001), between Colleges (p < 0.001), and between curricular years (p < 0.001), with not different between genders (p = 0.036). For 56.4%, 74,6% and 69,5% of the respondents there was "medium-low" and "low" compassion for I.M. in Medicine, Pharmaceutical Sciences and Dentistry. These levels were also more prevalent among students in the 1st and 5th years. Levels of compassion were not different with the participation (p = 0,865), type (p = 0,177) and frequency of E.A. (p = 0,109). CONCLUSIONS: For their importance in future health care professionals, compassion and their differences found among the M.Ds. of this area deserve future studies. Levels of compassion showed differences between the M.D. studied and academic years of frequency. There was no relationship between the participation, type, and frequency of E.A. and the students' levels of compassion. The distribution of the level of compassion did not vary significantly with participation in E.A. (p = 0.865), with the type of E.A. (p = 0.177), with the frequency of E.A. (p = 0.109) or with the answer to the question "The practice of E.A. can make a person more compassionate?" (p = 0.503).

Coffee Consumption and Blood Pressure: Results of the Second Wave of the Cognition of Older People, Education, Recreational Activities, Nutrition, Comorbidities, and Functional Capacity Studies (COPERNICUS).

This study examined the relationship between the frequency of coffee consumption and blood pressure over a two year follow up of a cohort of elderly people. Healthy, older people (N = 205) were examined at baseline and at two years. Participants completed physical and behavioural assessments, which included body composition, current pharmacological treatment, and frequency of coffee consumption grouped into three categories: "never to a few times per month", "once a week to a few times per week", and "every day". Blood pressure (systolic (sBP), diastolic (dBP), mean (mBP), and pulse pressure (PP)) was measured at baseline and after two years. After adjusting for body composition, smoking status, age, sex, heart rate, and number of antihypertensive agents taken, participants who drank coffee everyday had a significant increase in sBP, with a mean of 8.63 (1.27; 15.77) and an mBP, with a mean of 5.55 mmHg (0.52; 10.37) after two years (t = 2.37, p = 0.02 and t = 2.17, p = 0.03, respectively) compared to participants who never or very rarely (up to a few times per month) drank coffee. DBP and PP were not affected by coffee consumption frequency in a statistically significant manner.

The pros and cons of the implementation of a chronic care model in European rural primary care: the points of view of European rural general practitioners.

INTRODUCTION: This article describes the views of European rural general practitioners regarding the strengths, weaknesses, opportunities and threats (SWOT) of the implementation of a chronic care model (CCM) in European rural primary care. METHODS: This was a mixed-methods online survey. Data were collected from 227 general practitioners between May and December 2017. Categorical data were analysed using descriptive methods while free-text responses were analysed using qualitative methods. The setting was rural primary care in nine European countries (including Central and Eastern Europe). Main outcomes measures were respondents' evaluations of a chronic care model in their rural healthcare settings in terms of SWOT. RESULTS: The SWOT analysis showed that the expertise of healthcare professionals and the strength of relationships and communications between professionals, caregivers and patients are positive components of the CCM system. However, ensuring adequate staffing levels and staff competency are issues that would need to be addressed. Opportunities included the need to enable patients to participate in decision making by ensuring adequate health literacy. CONCLUSION: The CCM could certainly have benefits for health care in rural settings but staffing levels and staff competency would need to be addressed before implementation of CCM in such settings. Improving health literacy among patients and their carers will be essential to ensure their full participation in the implementation of a successful CCM.

Physician empathy and patient enablement: survey in the Portuguese primary health care.

BACKGROUND: Empathy is the capacity to understand and resonate with the experiences of other people. Patient enablement is the degree to which a patient feels strengthened in terms of being able to deal with, understand and manage their disease. METHODS: Secondary cross-sectional analysis of existing data from 2 independent datasets (456 primary health care patients), with the application of two validated questionnaires, Jefferson Scale of Patient Perceptions of Physician Empathy (JSPPPE) and Patient Enablement Instrument (PEI). OBJECTIVE: Evaluate medical empathy and patients' enablement after consultation with their family doctors and to verify if there was an association between these two concepts. RESULTS: The median value of JSPPPE-VP score was 6.60 (interquartile range 1.00) and of PEI/ICC score was of 1.83 (interquartile range 0.67). Regarding empathy (JSPPPE-VP), patients taking chronic medication had a slight but significantly higher median score than patients not taking them (6.70 versus 6.60, P = 0.049), although regression modelling did not confirm any relevant predictor of JSPPPE-VP score. Regarding enablement (PEI/ICC), we found significantly higher scores on younger patients, as well as, on more educated and professionally active ones (P < 0.001). Multivariable linear regression and Poisson regression modelling confirmed such variables as statistically significant potential predictors. CONCLUSIONS: A significant positive association was found between empathy score (JSPPPE-VP) and enablement score (PEI/ICC), when adjusted to sociodemographic cofactors. On this linear regression model, age category and educational level were also significantly associated with empathy score, with the same pattern found on bivariate analysis.

[Self-Awareness of Performing Patient-Centered Medicine in General Practice / Family Medicine: Development of a Measurement Scale]. / Auto Perceção do Desempenho da Medicina Centrada na Pessoa em Medicina Geral e Familiar: Criação de Um Instrumento de Medição.

INTRODUCTION: Patient Centred Medicine is a method and a model of practicing allowing gains for both the doctor and the patient. Its practice must be evaluated for purposes of continuous professional development and continuous medical education. The aim of this study was to create an instrument focused in measuring the practice based on person centered medicine in general and family medicine, as well as in determining its reliability and validity. MATERIAL AND METHODS: A first version of a questionnaire according to the four dimensions of the patient- centred clinical method was revised in a focus group providing the content validity. The final questionnaire includes 22 items, using a Likert scale with four response options. Factorial analysis made it possible to confirm the dimensions defined by Moira Stewart, and internal consistency, test-retest reproducibility and item-total correlations were determined. The online implementation of the questionnaire to a sample of 905 family doctors guaranteed the construct and criterion validities. RESULTS: The measurement instrument includes four dimensions: (i) exploring health, disease and the illness experience; (ii) investing in the doctor-patient relationship; (iii) seeking understanding; and (iv) understanding the whole person. The internal consistency was demonstrated with a global Cronbach's alpha of 0.892, varying between 0.783 and 0.844 for all dimensions. The test-retest reproducibility obtained an intraclass correlation value between 0.678 and 1.000. The item-total correlations varied between 0.457 and 0.870. Women doctors are more aware than their colleagues about seeking understanding with the person, and young doctors are more susceptible to approach the disease through history and to seek understanding with the patient. Specialist physicians have shown to be more careful with the history and with viewing the patient as a whole and the professionals who work in a Family Health Unit are those who seek a better understanding with the person. Finally, specific training about person centered medicine and about consultation in person centered medicine demonstrated a positive impact in all dimensions of the person-centred medicine and this is acknowledged by professionals. DISCUSSION: The assessment of self-perception of person-centred medicine is now possible. CONCLUSION: The questionnaire presents good reliability and validity, thus allowing doctors to assess their main weaknesses, as well as enabling the development of specific training.

Introdução: A Medicina Centrada na Pessoa é um método e modelo de prática permitindo ganhos para o médico e o paciente, devendo a sua prática ser avaliada para fins de desenvolvimento profissional contínuo e educação médica continuada. O objectivo deste estudo foi construir, determinar a fiabilidade e a validade de um instrumento capaz de aferir a auto perceção genérica da prática médica segundo a medicina centrada na pessoa no ambiente de medicina geral e familiar.Material e Métodos: Uma primeira versão de um questionário segundo as quatro dimensões do método clínico centrado na pessoa foi revista por um grupo focal garantindo a validade de conteúdo. O questionário final engloba 22 itens, utilizando para resposta uma escala de Likert com quatro opções. A análise fatorial permitiu confirmar as dimensões definidas por Moira Stewart, tendo também sido determinada a consistência interna, a reprodutibilidade por teste-reteste e a correlação item-total. A aplicação online a uma amostra de 905 médicos de medicina geral e familiar permitiu testar as validades de constructo e de critério.Resultados: O instrumento de medição inclui quatro dimensões: (i) explorar a saúde, a doença e a experiência de doença, (ii) investir na relação médico-doente; (iii) procurar entendimento; e (iv) compreender a pessoa como um todo. A consistência interna foi demonstrada com um alfa de Cronbach global de 0,892, variando entre 0,783 a 0,844 para todas as dimensões. A reprodutibilidade teste-reteste obteve um valor de correlação intraclasse entre 0,678 e 1,000. As correlações item-total variaram entre 0,457 e 0,870. As mulheres médicas estão mais sensibilizadas do que os seus colegas no que respeita à procura de entendimento com o doente e os médicos mais novos são os mais sensíveis à abordagem da doença através da anamnese e à procura de entendimento com o doente. Os especialistas demonstraram ter mais cuidado com a anamnese e com o facto de encarar o doente como um todo, e os profissionais que trabalham numa unidade de Saúde Familiar são os que procuram um melhor entendimento com a pessoa. Por fim, a formação específica sobre medicina centrada na pessoa e sobre consulta em medicina centrada na pessoa demonstraram ter um impacto positivoem todas as dimensões da medicina centrada na pessoa e isso é reconhecido pelos próprios profissionais.Discussão: A avaliação da auto perceção de desempenhar medicina centrada na pessoa é agora possível.Conclusão: O presente questionário apresenta boa fiabilidade e validade permitindo ao médico verificar quais as principais insuficiências bem como desenvolver formação específica.

Comparing empathy in medical students of two Portuguese medicine schools.

BACKGROUND: Empathy is paramount in the doctor-patient relationship being a comprehensive and multidimensional concept. Self-ratings of empathy change across the years of medical education only when the Jefferson Scale of Physicians Empathy is used, with a worrying decrease being found throughout the years in Medicine Schools. As there are only few studies on the factors influencing medical student's empathy, particularly of the curricular model, this study aimed to compare the levels of empathy of medicine students of two Schools with different curricular models in central Portugal, the Faculty of Medicine - University of Coimbra (FMUC) and the Faculty of Health Sciences - University of Beira Interior (FCS-UBI). METHODS: Cross-sectional observational study with the Jefferson Scale of Physician Empathy - students' Portuguese version (JSPE - spv) to 1st, 3rd and 6th year students of the 2017/2018 academic year with descriptive and inferential statistical analysis (p < 0.05). RESULTS: Size representative sample of 795 students. Higher total empathy score (TES) (p = 0.008) and "Perspective taking" (p = 0.001) in FCS-UBI were found. JSPE-TES was higher in FCS-UBI, 3rd year (p = 0.038). Higher FCS-UBI "Perspective taking" in the 1st year (p = 0.030) and 6th year (p = 0.044), for "Compassionate care" in the 3rd (p = 0.019) and for "Standing in the patient's shoes" in the 1st year (p = 0.018) and in FMUC for "Compassionate care" in the 1st year (p = 0.037) and the "Standing in the patient's shoes" in year 3 (p = 0.002) were found. Higher levels of empathy were found in FCS-UBI female students, for JSPE-TES (p = 0.045) and "Perspective taking" (p = 0.001). CONCLUSION: Higher empathy levels in FCS-UBI were found, with different results in the third year suggesting influence of the medical course teaching characteristics between the two Medicine schools, student's empathy levels being higher when earlier and more intense contact with patients accompanied by skilled tutors was developed.

Patients' and tutors' evaluations of medicine students' consultations in general practice/family medicine in Coimbra.

BACKGROUND: Undergraduate teaching of General Practice/Family Medicine (GP/FM) must ensure students acquire the necessary competencies and skills to perform an adequate GP/FM consultation with adequate annotations (the SOAP model) and classifications. So aimed to study and to correlate students' evaluation by tutors and patients in specific consultations in the formal practical evaluation of GP/FM Curricular Unit of the Integrated Masters on Medicine at the Faculty of Medicine of the University of Coimbra (IMM-FMUC) in the academic years of 2017-2018 and 2018-2019. METHODS: Observational study of the 2017-2018 and 2018-2019 academic years of the assessment grids for tutor's evaluation of SOAP performance and fluency in consultation and for patient's evaluation of the student 'performance, in the convenience sample of those who chose to be so evaluated. RESULTS: We studied a population of 435 (67,7%) out of a universe of 646 students, 125 (28,7%) males, ns by sex and academic year who performed this evaluation. In a mark up to 20 from tutors, difference was found for Plan (P) mark, higher in 2018-2019 (18,38 ± 2,18vs18,54 ± 2,11, p = 0,005) of the SOAP methodology evaluation. Patients' evaluation was not different 19,34 ± 1,70vs19,35 ± 1,40, p = 0,091. A positive significant correlation was found between tutors and patients marks (ρ = 0,278; p < 0,001), as well as between tutor mark and final mark (ρ = 0,958; p < 0,001) and patient and final marks (ρ = 0,465; p < 0,001). Final marks were not different in both years, 18,61 ± 1,38vs18,78 ± 1,15, p = 0,158. CONCLUSIONS: This innovative model of evaluation of student's performance in medical appointment, showed a significant positive moderate correlation between patients' and tutors' marks in the setting of GP/FM at the IMM-FMUC, and was not different between years. Yearly evaluation must be continued.

COVID-19-Related Fear and Anxiety: Spiritual-Religious Coping in Healthcare Workers in Portugal.

The COVID-19 pandemic has negatively affected the mental health of the general population, and for healthcare workers (HCWs) it has been no different. Religiosity and spirituality are known coping strategies for mental illnesses, especially in stressful times. This study aimed to describe the role of spiritual-religious coping regarding fear and anxiety in relation to COVID-19 in HCWs in Portugal. A cross-sectional quantitative online survey was performed. Socio-demographic and health data were collected as well as the Duke University Religion Index, Spirituality Scale, Fear of COVID-19 Scale, and Coronavirus Anxiety Scale. Two hundred and twenty-two HCWs participated in the study, 74.3% were female and 81.1% were physicians. The median age was 37 years (Q1, Q3: 31, 51.3). Religiosity was neither a significant factor for coronavirus-related anxiety nor it was for fear of COVID-19. Participants with higher levels in the hope/optimism dimension of the Spirituality Scale showed less coronavirus-related anxiety. Female HCWs, non-physicians, and the ones with a previous history of anxiety presented higher levels of fear and/or anxiety related to COVID-19. HCWs' levels of distress should be identified and reduced, so their work is not impaired.

[Work-Family Balance within the Medical Profession: An Exploratory Study]. / Conciliação Trabalho-Família na Profissão Médica: Um Estudo Exploratório.

INTRODUCTION: The aim of this study is to characterize and assess work-family balance within the medical profession in Portugal. MATERIAL AND METHODS: This cross-sectional and exploratory study analyzed a sample of 181 doctors who are members of the Portuguese Catholic Doctors' Association. A qualitative survey with multiple-choice questions was applied in order to assess socioeconomic and working conditions as well as work-family balance. Descriptive and linear regression analyses were carried out. RESULTS: Nearly 40% of the surveyed doctors negatively assessed the work-family balance within the private sector. As for the Portuguese National Health System, 73% negatively assessed the work-family balance within the public sector. More than half of those surveyed (56%) worked more hours than what they considered as harmful for their work-family balance and the vast majority was working at the limit or overtime. Data collected enabled us to associate a heavier workload with working in the emergency room, age and men. Moreover, it was observed that working more hours was not linked to having children or being married. DISCUSSION: In our study, the three measures of work-family balance that the participants considered to be the most important were the possibility of flexible scheduling, part-time work and temporarily reducing working hours (e.g. for family assistance). These aspects may explain the differences found in the assessment of work-family balance between the public and private sector. CONCLUSION: Due to the demanding nature of the medical profession, doctors are placed into a particularly risky situation in order to achieve a suitable work-family balance. The results of our study indicate a general dissatisfaction regarding this balance - special in the public sector - which is mainly associated with excessive weekly working hours.

Introdução: Este estudo propôs-se caraterizar e avaliar a conciliação trabalho-família na profissão médica em Portugal.Material e Métodos: Este é um estudo observacional, transversal e exploratório de uma amostra de 181 médicos sócios da Associação dos Médicos Católicos Portugueses. Foi aplicado um questionário de resposta múltipla e valoração qualitativa, por forma a avaliar caraterísticas socioeconómicas, laborais e a conciliação trabalho-família. Foram realizadas análises descritiva e de regressão linear.Resultados: Cerca de 40% dos médicos inquiridos avaliam negativamente a conciliação trabalho-família no sector privado. Já para o Serviço Nacional de Saúde, são 73% os médicos inquiridos que avaliam negativamente a conciliação trabalho-família no sector público. Verificou-se que mais de metade dos inquiridos (56%) tinha uma carga horária superior à que considera danosa à sua conciliação trabalho-família, sendo que a grande maioria trabalhava no limite ou em excesso de carga horária. Os dados obtidos permitiram associar maior carga horária com fazer urgências, com a idade e ser do sexo masculino. Foi ainda observado que maior carga horária não está associada a ter filhos ou ser casado.Discussão: No nosso estudo, as três medidas de conciliação trabalho-família que os participantes consideraram ser as mais importantes foram a possibilidade de flexibilizar o horário, trabalhar a tempo parcial e reduzir temporariamente o horário de trabalho (por exemplo, devido a assistência à família). Estes aspetos poderão explicar as diferenças encontradas na avaliação da conciliação trabalho-família entre o sector público e o sector privado.Conclusão: A profissão médica pelas suas características de exigência coloca os médicos numa situação particular de risco para alcançarem uma adequada conciliação trabalho-família. Os resultados do nosso estudo apontam para uma insatisfação dessa conciliação, sendo que essa insatisfação é mais marcada no sector público, tendencialmente associada ao excesso de carga horária semanal.

Prevalence Of Potentially Inappropriate Medication In The Older Adult Population Within Primary Care In Portugal: A Nationwide Cross-Sectional Study.

BACKGROUND: In potentially inappropriate medications harm potentially outweighs benefits. Even appropriately prescribed medications may become inappropriate. They can lead to a high risk of adverse drug reactions, morbidity and mortality. The aim of this study was to determine the prevalence of potentially inappropriate medication in the older adult population attending primary care in Portugal and to identify associated sociodemographic and clinical factors. METHODS: We conducted a cross-sectional, analytical study in primary care centres from the five Portuguese healthcare administrative regions and the two autonomous regions. We used a random sample of 757 older patients provided by the information department of the ministry of health (SPMS) and family doctors from the autonomous regions. Data collection occurred March 2018 and we studied sociodemographic characteristics, clinical profile and medication. We used 2015 Beers Criteria to assess potentially inappropriate medications. Logistic regression analyses were performed to determine associations between potentially inappropriate medications' prescriptions and other variables. RESULTS: Potentially inappropriate medication was present in 68.6% and 46.1% of the sample had two or more. The likelihood of having potentially inappropriate medication increased significantly with being female (OR=1.56 [1.05 to 2.31]), number of chronic health problems (OR=1.06 [1.01 to 1.13]), number of pharmacological subclasses (OR=1.40 [1.30 to 1.51]) and number of prescribers (OR=1.34 [1.09 to 1.65]). Proton-pump inhibitors, nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs and benzodiazepines were the most commonly found ones. CONCLUSION: Potentially inappropriate medication in older adults was found to be a common occurrence in Portugal. It is important that doctors are aware of this problem, namely in the primary care setting due to the longitudinal care.

Palliative care in primary care: European Forum for Primary Care position paper.

AIM: The aim of this position paper is to assist primary health care (PHC) providers, policymakers, and researchers by discussing the current context in which palliative health care functions within PHC in Europe. The position paper gives examples for improvements to palliative care models from studies and international discussions at European Forum for Primary Care (EFPC) workshops and conferences. BACKGROUND: Palliative care is a holistic approach that improves the quality of life of patients and their families facing problems associated with terminal illness, through the prevention and relief of suffering by means of early identification and diligent assessment and treatment of pain and other problems, whether physical, psychosocial, or spiritual. Unfortunately, some Europeans, unless they have cancer, still do not have access to generalist or specialist palliative care. METHODS: A draft of this position paper was distributed electronically through the EFPC network in 2015, 2016, and 2017. Active collaboration with the representatives of the International Primary Palliative Care Network was established from the very beginning and more recently with the EAPC Primary Care Reference Group. Barriers, opportunities, and examples of good and bad practices were discussed at workshops focusing on palliative care at the international conferences of Southeastern European countries in Ljubljana (2015) and Budva (2017), at regular conferences in Amsterdam (2015) and Riga (2016), at the WONCA Europe conferences in Istanbul (2015), Copenhagen (2016), and Prague (2017), and at the EAPC conference in Madrid (2017). FINDINGS: There is great diversity in the extent and type of palliative care provided in primary care by European countries. Primary care teams (PCTs) are well placed to encourage timely palliative care. We collected examples from different countries. We found numerous barriers influencing PCTs in preparing care plans with patients. We identified many facilitators to improve the organization of palliative care.

Implications for medical activity of differences between individuals with controlled and uncontrolled hypertension. / Pessoas que sofrem de hipertensão arterial: implicações na atividade médica das diferenças entre os controlados e os não controlados.

OBJECTIVES: To compare clinical characteristics, medical activity, and family and social characteristics of individuals with controlled and uncontrolled hypertension. METHODS: This was an observational study on an alphabetically organized randomized sample of individuals suffering from hypertension in a primary care setting followed by 25 general practitioners at three clinics in the Central region of Portugal in mid-2018. Electronic medical records of individuals with an ICPC-2 classification of hypertension were analyzed. Epidemiologic, family, social and therapeutic data were gathered for descriptive and inferential analysis. RESULTS: From a total population of 8750 patients classified as having hypertension, a representative sample of 387 individuals (n=369 required for a 95% confidence interval and 5% error margin) was studied. The incidence of uncontrolled hypertension was 56.1%, significantly higher among those living alone (p=00.24) or in a nuclear family (p=0.011), in lower socioeconomic classes (p=0.018), and prescribed anti-inflammatory drugs (p=0.018). The calculated cardiovascular risk was no higher for uncontrolled hypertension (p=0.116). Therapeutic inertia was not found either in number of medicines or in their association (p=0.274). No other studied variables showed a significant difference. Binary logistic regression revealed that living alone or in a nuclear family, and in a family with low socioeconomic level, were associated with uncontrolled hypertension, this model representing 9.6% of the likelihood of having uncontrolled hypertension. CONCLUSIONS: Medical activity in general practice and other settings should, in the light of these findings, ally therapeutic competencies with knowledge gained from studying individual, family and social characteristics in order to improve blood pressure control.