Medical students' critical thinking assessment with collaborative concept maps in a blended educational Strategy.

BACKGROUND: Concept maps (CMs) are tools used to represent how new knowledge is integrated into the cognitive structure. In this study, we investigated the role of collaborative CMs in improving medical students' critical thinking and knowledge acquisition. METHODS: A pre-post interventional study was conducted. In the 1st week of the clerkship rotation, a group of 10-14 students were asked by a faculty member to make a CM (CM1). After this first exposure (weeks 2/3), students learned the content through online forums. In the final week (week 4), students discussed what they had learned and made a final CM (CM2). RESULTS: A total of 104 students participated in the study, making twenty CM1 and twenty CM2. There was a statistically significant difference between CM1 and CM2 for overall scores, proposition units, and hierarchy units (P < 0.001). DISCUSSION: Collaborative CMs may be useful tools to help teachers better understand their students' critical thinking changes during a blended strategy.

Preserving third year medical students' empathy and enhancing self-reflection using small group "virtual hangout" technology.

BACKGROUND: Medical student professionalism education is challenging in scope, purpose, and delivery, particularly in the clinical years when students in large universities are dispersed across multiple clinical sites. We initiated a faculty-facilitated, peer small group course for our third year students, creating virtual classrooms using social networking and online learning management system technologies. The course emphasized narrative self-reflection, group inquiry, and peer support. METHODS: We conducted this study to analyze the effects of a professionalism course on third year medical students' empathy and self-reflection (two elements of professionalism) and their perceptions about the course. Students completed the Groningen Reflection Ability Scale (GRAS) and the Jefferson Scale of Empathy (JSE) before and after the course and provided anonymous online feedback. RESULTS: The results of the JSE before and after the course demonstrated preservation of empathy rather than its decline. In addition, there was a statistically significant increase in GRAS scores (p < 0.001), suggesting that the sharing of personal narratives may foster reflective ability and reflective practice among third year students. CONCLUSION: This study supports previous findings showing that students benefit from peer groups and discussion in a safe environment, which may include the use of a virtual group video platform.

[In the final analysis, who is "problematic"? An integrative review of patients, physicians and problematic relationships]. / Afinal, quem é "difícil"? Revisão integrativa sobre pacientes, médicos e relações difíceis.

The scope of this study was to assess the literature on the characteristics of patients, physicians, and physician-patient relationships considered 'problematic.' An integrative review of primary studies published between January 1, 2016, and September 30, 2021, in Portuguese, English and Spanish was conducted, Of the 3,414 papers identified in the PubMed, Embase, Scopus and Lilacs databases, 19 were selected for qualitative analysis. Seven studies were carried out in Europe, eight in North America, two in South America and two in China, totaling 1,694 patients, 1,903 assistant physicians, 101 residents and 160 medical academics. Physicians and academics considered the following to be problematic: patients with clinical conditions such as psychosomatic and chronic illnesses; symptoms and complaints such as pain; powerful emotions; problems in obtaining and sharing information, in decision-making, in the adherence to the therapeutic plan and in their self-care; and some sociodemographic and vulnerability characteristics. Among other aspects, patients, or their relatives, considered physicians to be problematic when they did not listen to them or appear to care about their children, Teaching medical communication and systemic interventions are recommended to improve physician-patient relationships.

O objetivo deste estudo foi sintetizar a literatura sobre as características de pacientes, médicos e relações médico-paciente consideradas "difíceis". Foi realizada uma revisão integrativa de estudos primários publicados entre janeiro de 2016 e setembro de 2021, em português, inglês e espanhol. De 3.414 artigos identificados nas bases Embase, PubMed, Scopus e Lilacs, 19 foram analisados qualitativamente. Sete estudos foram efetuados na Europa, oito na América do Norte, dois na América do Sul e dois na China, totalizando 1.694 pacientes, 1.903 médicos assistentes, 101 residentes e 160 acadêmicos de medicina. Médicos e/ou acadêmicos de medicina consideravam difíceis os pacientes com: condições clínicas como doenças psicossomáticas e crônicas; sintomas e queixas como dor; emoções fortes; problemas na obtenção e no compartilhamento de informações, nas tomadas de decisão, na adesão ao plano terapêutico e no seu autocuidado; e certas características sociodemográficas e de vulnerabilidade. Pacientes ou seus familiares consideravam difíceis os médicos que não os escutavam, eram preconceituosos e pareciam não se importar com seus filhos, entre outros aspectos. Sugere-se o ensino de comunicação médica e intervenções sistêmicas para melhorar as relações médico-paciente.

Needs of family members of patients in intensive care and their perception of medical communication.

OBJECTIVE: To understand the perception of medical communication and needs of family members with loved ones in intensive care. METHODS: The study was mainly qualitative and exploratory, with thematic analysis of comments made by 92 family members with loved ones in intensive care units when answering in-person interviews comprising the Quality of Communication Questionnaire (QoC) and open-ended questions about their need for additional help, the appropriateness of the place where they received information, and additional comments. RESULTS: The participants' mean age was 46.8 years (SD = 11.8), and most of them were female, married and had incomplete or completed elementary education. The following themes were found: perception of characteristics of medical communication; feelings generated by communication; considerations about specific questions in the QoC; family members' needs; and strategies to overcome needs regarding communication. Characteristics that facilitated communication included attention and listening. Characteristics that made communication difficult included aspects of information sharing, such as inaccessible language; lack of clarity, objectivity, sincerity, and agreement among the team; limited time; and inadequate location. Feelings such as shame, helplessness, and sadness were cited when communication was inadequate. Family members' needs related to communication included more details about the loved one's diagnosis, prognosis, and health condition; participation in decisionmaking; and being asked about feelings, spirituality, dying and death. Others were related to longer visitation time, psychological support, social assistance, and better infrastructure. CONCLUSION: It is necessary to enhance medical communication and improve hospital infrastructure to improve the quality of care for family members.

Communication in healthcare: experience of students and professionals from teaching- learning to practice in health.

Objectives: This study aimed to understand the teaching-learning experience in the Communication in Healthcare class among students, teaching assistants, and health professionals, as well as its applications to professional practice. Methods: This is a qualitative study with a theoretical approach based on Gadamer's Philosophical Hermeneutics and a methodological framework based on Minayo and Bardin's thematic content analysis. Communication in Healthcare is an elective multiprofessional class, which lasts one semester and is offered regularly. All former students (n = 368) were invited to participate by email, and 30 participated in these focus groups (13 students, 8 teaching assistants, and 9 health professionals). The online focus groups took place on an online platform, and they were video-recorded and subsequently transcribed. Through cross-sectional and vertical analysis, the main themes were identified. Results: The Communication in Healthcare class was an important step for personal, professional, and interprofessional formation and development of communication competence. The following dominant themes were identified: 1) motivation for signing up, 2) prior expectations, 3) meaning of the experience and shaping moments, 4) how the teaching-learning experience was retained and what was retained, 5) repercussions in relation to self, others, and professional life, and 6) reflections about the curriculum, interprofessional dialogue, and formation. Conclusions: The teaching-learning experience was important for the formation of communicational competence. This research contributes to medical education and opens teaching-learning paths for communication skills, empathy, dialogue, and interprofessionalism. Future studies with a philosophical hermeneutic framework and online focus groups are indicated for the comprehension of educational interventions in health.

Adaptation of the Quality of Communication Questionnaire for Family Members and Its Validity Evidence for Use in Brazil.

Assessment of communication between physicians and patients' family members is essential to improving healthcare quality. To adapt the Quality of Communication Questionnaire (QoC) for family members and to analyze its validity evidence for use in Brazil. Data were collected between 2017 and 2019, with family members of patients in intensive care (IC) and palliative care (PC) from five public hospitals in the South Brazil. The QoC was adapted for family members for use in Brazil, and its cross-cultural adaptation was carried out. The clarity and cultural appropriateness of the pre-final version were evaluated by 30 family members of patients in IC. The final version was responded by 198 family members of patients. All items were considered clear, and appropriate to Brazilian culture. The goodness of fit index for proposed model had CFI 0.96 (CI95%: 0.94 - 0.98), TLI 0.95 (CI95%: 0.92 - 0.97), RMSEA 0.07 (CI90%: 0.06 - 0.08), and χ2/df 2.18. Cronbach's alpha coefficient (α) among family members of patients in PC was 0.88 for the general communication (first subscale) and 0.80 for the end-of-life communication (second subscale). However, among family members of patients in IC, α was 0.86 for the first subscale and only 0.53 for the second subscale. The QoC for family members and its cross-cultural adaptation were carried out successfully. It has strong validity evidence among those with loved ones in PC, but only the QoC general communication subscale has strong validity evidence among those with loved ones in IC.

The COVID-19 pandemic and teachers' work: perceptions of teachers from a public university in the state of São Paulo, Brazil. / A pandemia da COVID-19 e o trabalho docente: percepções de professores de uma universidade pública no estado de São Paulo, Brasil.

The COVID-19 pandemic required the restructuring of educational models, including the rapid transition from face-to-face to remote education. The aim of this qualitative research was to understand the effect of the COVID-19 pandemic on undergraduate professors' work and health at a public university in the state of São Paulo. Semi-structured interviews were conducted with 17 undergraduate faculty of humanities, biological and exact sciences form August to September 2020. The interviews were recorded and transcribed. From the content analysis, four thematic categories emerged: (1) changes in the work routine and their impacts, including adjustment to remote work and the difficulties in establishing boundaries between work and their personal life; (2) changes in the dynamics between faculty and students and the possibility of rethinking teaching practice; (3) the relationship between faculty and the university with emphasis on the decision-making process, support for the transition to remote teaching, and concerns about the quality of teaching; and (4) anguish and fears related to the pandemic that added to the set of work-related stressors. Our findings showed that actions towards the communicational dynamics, as well as actions towards faculties' mental health should be implemented.

A pandemia da COVID-19 exigiu a reestruturação dos modelos educacionais nas universidades, incluindo a rápida transição para o ensino remoto. Realizamos uma pesquisa qualitativa com o objetivo de compreender a percepção de professores universitários sobre os efeitos da pandemia da COVID-19 para a rotina de trabalho e para a saúde dos docentes de uma universidade pública no estado de São Paulo. Foram realizadas entrevistas semiestruturadas com 17 docentes de cursos de graduação das ciências humanas, biológicas e exatas, entre agosto e setembro de 2020. As entrevistas foram gravadas e transcritas na íntegra. Da análise de conteúdo, quatro categorias temáticas emergiram: (1) mudanças na rotina de trabalho e seus impactos, incluindo a adaptação ao trabalho remoto e dificuldade em estabelecer limites entre trabalho e rotina pessoal; (2) alterações na dinâmica entre professor/alunos e possibilidade de repensar a prática docente; (3) relação dos docentes com a universidade, o processo de tomada de decisões, suporte para a transição ao ensino remoto e preocupações com a qualidade do ensino; e (4) angústias e medos relacionamos à pandemia que se somaram aos estressores do trabalho. Os resultados ressaltam a necessidade de ações direcionadas à gestão educacional, às dinâmicas comunicacionais e à saúde mental.

Applying the Generalizability Theory to Identify the Sources of Validity Evidence for the Quality of Communication Questionnaire.

Effective doctor-patient-family communication is an integral and sensitive part of health care, assessing its quality is essential to identify aspects needing disclosure and, if necessary, improvement. Cross-sectional study aimed to analyze the sources of evidence of validity and the number of participants needed to reliably apply the Quality of Communication Questionnaire (QoC) through Generalizability Theory (GT). The mean age of the 150 patients hospitalized at the end of life was 50.5 (SD = 13.8) years, the mean hospital length of stay was 7.5 (SD = 10.2) days, 56.9% were male. Regarding the 105 patients' family members of patients whose mean length of hospital stay was 9.5 (SD = 9.1) days, their mean age was 42.2 (SD = 14.7) years, 69.5% were female. GT was used to quantify the minimum number of questionnaires needed, with the aim of reaching a reliable estimate of QoC with G-coefficients. To reach a reliability of .90, there is a need for 25 for the Eρ2 questionnaires and 35 for the Φ. The exact estimation identified the minimum number of questionnaires required for the evaluation of physicians by patients. To obtain a reliability of .90, there is a need for 30 and 40 questionnaires for the G-coefficients. A practical and fast application makes it possible to use QoC in its entirety or alone to evaluate general communication or communication about palliative care. Furthermore, based on these results, it was possible to identify which aspects were effective or ineffective in these contexts.

Ethical problems in pediatrics: what does the setting of care and education show us?

BACKGROUND: Pediatrics ethics education should enhance medical students' skills to deal with ethical problems that may arise in the different settings of care. This study aimed to analyze the ethical problems experienced by physicians who have medical education and pediatric care responsibilities, and if those problems are associated to their workplace, medical specialty and area of clinical practice. METHODS: A self-applied semi-structured questionnaire was answered by 88 physicians with teaching and pediatric care responsibilities. Content analysis was performed to analyze the qualitative data. Poisson regression was used to explore the association of the categories of ethical problems reported with workplace and professional specialty and activity. RESULTS: 210 ethical problems were reported, grouped into five areas: physician-patient relationship, end-of-life care, health professional conducts, socioeconomic issues and health policies, and pediatric teaching. Doctors who worked in hospitals as well as general and subspecialist pediatricians reported fewer ethical problems related to socioeconomic issues and health policies than those who worked in Basic Health Units and who were family doctors. CONCLUSIONS: Some ethical problems are specific to certain settings: those related to end-of-life care are more frequent in the hospital settings and those associated with socioeconomic issues and public health policies are more frequent in Basic Health Units. Other problems are present in all the setting of pediatric care and learning and include ethical problems related to physician-patient relationship, health professional conducts and the pediatric education process. These findings should be taken into consideration when planning the teaching of ethics in pediatrics. TRIAL REGISTRATION: This research article didn't reports the results of a controlled health care intervention. The study project was approved by the Institutional Ethical Review Committee (Report CEP-HIJG 032/2008).

Quality of Communication Questionnaire for Patients Hospitalized in Intensive and Palliative Care: Validity Evidence for Use in Brazil.

The Quality of Communication Questionnaire (QoC) was culturally adapted for Brazil due to its importance and use in several studies and different scenarios. The objective of this study was to evaluate the validity evidence of the Brazilian version of the QoC. A validation study was carried out involving 253 patients admitted to five public hospitals in Southern Brazil. Data were analyzed using descriptive analysis, Cronbach's alpha (α) to assess internal consistency, exploratory factor analysis, and goodness-of-fit index. One hundred and three patients were in intensive care (IC), and 150 were in palliative care (PC). The participants' mean age was 51 years (SD = 14.2). QoC,and its general communication subscale, and end-of-life communication subscale means were 5.5 (SD = 1.6), 8.8 (SD = 1.5), and 5.5 (SD = 1.6) respectively. Among patients in IC, QoC Cronbach's alpha was .75, and .84 in the general communication subscale and .51 in the end-of-life communication subscale. Among patients in PC, QoC Cronbach's alpha was .83, and .88 in the general communication subscale, and .71 in the end-of-life communication subscale. The root mean square error of approximation was .07 (90% CI: .04 - .08); Tucker-Lewis index was .97 (95% CI: .95 - .98); comparative fit index was .98 (95% CI: .97 - .99), and χ2/df ratio was 1.33 (χ2[53] = 70.858, p = .05). The authors conclude that the general communication subscale of QoC Brazilian version has good validity evidence for patients in IC and PC, whereas the end-of-life communication subscale is only valid for patient in PC.

Patients' perception of medical communication and their needs during the stay in the intensive care unit. / Percepção de pacientes sobre a comunicação médica e suas necessidades durante internação na unidade de cuidados intensivos.

OBJECTIVE: To understand the perception of patients about medical communication as well as their needs during hospitalization in the intensive care unit. METHODS: This study was cross-sectional descriptive and qualitative exploratory including 103 patients admitted to or recently discharged from the intensive care units of four hospitals in Greater Florianópolis, Santa Catarina state, Brazil. The patients' sociodemographic and clinical variables were studied, as were the score they gave to the quality of medical communication through the Quality of Communication Questionnaire and their spontaneous comments with reflections or justifications for the scores given, and their responses on how they felt and what complementary help they would have liked to receive. The quantitative data were analyzed by descriptive and analytical statistics, and the qualitative data were analyzed by thematic content analysis. RESULTS: The mean Quality of Communication Questionnaire score was 5.1 (standard deviation - SD = 1.3), with 8.6 (SD = 1.3) on the general communication subscale and 2.1 (SD = 1.8) on the end-of-life communication subscale. The patients had a variable understanding of medical language. Some physicians seemed to be "rushed", according to some patients. Other patients would like to receive more frequent and detailed information and/or be respected and taken "more seriously" when they reported pain. Anxiety, sadness, and fear were among the reported feelings. Other needs included silence, more time for visits, the presence of a companion, psychological and social-work care, a bathroom that they could use, and better food in the intensive care unit. CONCLUSION: The quality of medical communication with patients is good but could improve if physicians and the healthcare team had more time for patients. Other felt needs included respect, pain relief, and adjustments in the intensive care unit dynamics and environment.

OBJETIVO: Conhecer a percepção de pacientes sobre a comunicação médica, bem como suas necessidades durante internação na unidade de cuidados intensivos. MÉTODOS: Estudo transversal descritivo e qualitativo exploratório, com 103 pacientes internados ou com alta recente da unidade de cuidados intensivos de quatro hospitais da Grande Florianópolis (SC). Foram estudadas variáveis sociodemográficas e clínicas dos pacientes, sua nota para qualidade da comunicação médica pelo Quality of Communication Questionnaire, seus comentários espontâneos com reflexões ou justificativas para as notas dadas e suas respostas sobre como se sentiam e que ajuda complementar gostariam de receber. Os dados quantitativos foram analisados com estatística descritiva e analítica e os qualitativos com análise de conteúdo temática. RESULTADOS: A média do Quality of Communication Questionnaire foi 5,1 (desvio-padrão - DP = 1,3), sendo 8,6 (DP = 1,3) na subescala de comunicação geral e 2,1 (DP =1,8) na de terminalidade de vida. A linguagem médica teve compreensão variável. Alguns médicos pareciam "apressados", segundo alguns pacientes. Outros pacientes gostariam de informações mais frequentes e detalhadas e/ou serem respeitados e levados "mais a sério" quando referiam sentir dor. Ansiedade, tristeza e/ou medo estavam entre os sentimentos referidos. Outras necessidades abrangeram silêncio, mais tempo para visitas, presença de acompanhante, atenção psicológica e de serviço social, banheiro que pudessem usar e melhor qualidade da comida na unidade de cuidados intensivos. CONCLUSÃO: A qualidade da comunicação médica com os pacientes é boa e poderia melhorar com maior disponibilidade de tempo do médico e da equipe para ela. Outras necessidades sentidas incluem respeito, alívio da dor e adaptações na dinâmica e no ambiente da unidade de cuidados intensivos.

Media and scientific communication about the COVID-19 pandemic and the repercussions on the population's mental health: A protocol for a systematic review and meta-analysis.

BACKGROUND: Good communication strategies are essential in times of crisis, such as the coronavirus pandemic. The dissemination of inaccurate information and the need for social isolation to control coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) have shown a negative impact on the population, causing damage to mental health, with the appearance or worsening of symptoms of stress, fear, anxiety, and depression. Thus, the systematic review study is intended to gather evidence on the impact of information about COVID-19 on the mental health of the population. METHODS: This systematic review protocol is conducted using the guidelines of the preferred reporting items for systematic reviews and meta-analyses protocols and the Cochrane Handbook for Systematic Reviews of Interventions. The review aims to include published studies that address the exposure of the general population to information about COVID-19, through observational and experimental studies, which consider the following outcomes: fear, stress, anxiety, and depression. Thus, a comprehensive research strategy will be conducted in the following databases: PubMed / Medline, Scopus, Web of Science, EMBASE, Science Direct, CINAHL, PsycINFO and Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials (CENTRAL). Two independent reviewers will perform all procedures, such as study selection, data collection, and methodological evaluation. Disagreements will be forwarded to a third reviewer. RevMan 5.3 software will be used for data analysis. RESULTS: This systematic review will provide evidence of the influence of access to and consumption of media and scientific information about COVID-19 on the mental health of the population. It will consider information about the characterization of the study and the population studied, clinical and epidemiological information on mental health, and data on access to and consumption of media and scientific information. DISCUSSION: The results should inform about the consequences of communication about the new coronavirus on the emergence or worsening of psychological and psychiatric symptoms, allowing to develop strategies to achieve effective communication of information to promote the mental health of the population. SYSTEMATIC REVIEW REGISTRATION NUMBER: PROSPERO CRD42020182918.

Afinal, quem é "difícil"? Revisão integrativa sobre pacientes, médicos e relações difíceis / In the final analysis, who is "problematic"? An integrative review of patients, physicians and problematic relationships

Resumo O objetivo deste estudo foi sintetizar a literatura sobre as características de pacientes, médicos e relações médico-paciente consideradas "difíceis". Foi realizada uma revisão integrativa de estudos primários publicados entre janeiro de 2016 e setembro de 2021, em português, inglês e espanhol. De 3.414 artigos identificados nas bases Embase, PubMed, Scopus e Lilacs, 19 foram analisados qualitativamente. Sete estudos foram efetuados na Europa, oito na América do Norte, dois na América do Sul e dois na China, totalizando 1.694 pacientes, 1.903 médicos assistentes, 101 residentes e 160 acadêmicos de medicina. Médicos e/ou acadêmicos de medicina consideravam difíceis os pacientes com: condições clínicas como doenças psicossomáticas e crônicas; sintomas e queixas como dor; emoções fortes; problemas na obtenção e no compartilhamento de informações, nas tomadas de decisão, na adesão ao plano terapêutico e no seu autocuidado; e certas características sociodemográficas e de vulnerabilidade. Pacientes ou seus familiares consideravam difíceis os médicos que não os escutavam, eram preconceituosos e pareciam não se importar com seus filhos, entre outros aspectos. Sugere-se o ensino de comunicação médica e intervenções sistêmicas para melhorar as relações médico-paciente.

Abstract The scope of this study was to assess the literature on the characteristics of patients, physicians, and physician-patient relationships considered 'problematic.' An integrative review of primary studies published between January 1, 2016, and September 30, 2021, in Portuguese, English and Spanish was conducted, Of the 3,414 papers identified in the PubMed, Embase, Scopus and Lilacs databases, 19 were selected for qualitative analysis. Seven studies were carried out in Europe, eight in North America, two in South America and two in China, totaling 1,694 patients, 1,903 assistant physicians, 101 residents and 160 medical academics. Physicians and academics considered the following to be problematic: patients with clinical conditions such as psychosomatic and chronic illnesses; symptoms and complaints such as pain; powerful emotions; problems in obtaining and sharing information, in decision-making, in the adherence to the therapeutic plan and in their self-care; and some sociodemographic and vulnerability characteristics. Among other aspects, patients, or their relatives, considered physicians to be problematic when they did not listen to them or appear to care about their children, Teaching medical communication and systemic interventions are recommended to improve physician-patient relationships.

Communication skills teaching in Brazilian medical schools: What lessons can be learned?

OBJECTIVE: To assess current practices in communication skills (CS) teaching in Brazilian medical schools (MS), looking for similarities and differences with other countries. METHODS: This study was performed with 162 out of the 237 accredited Brazilian MS (68.35%). The quantitative data were analyzed using descriptive statistics and qualitative data using content analysis. RESULTS: 104 MS (64.2%) reported formal CS training. CS were more commonly taught in the pre-clinical years, by physicians and psychologists. Compared to other countries, Brazil was unique in offering training for "acolhimento" ("embracement"), which is a Brazilian Government strategy that requires that all those connected with healthcare delivery, from administrators to practitioners, and all allied health personnel "embrace" a dedication to caring for patients and the communities in which they live. CONCLUSIONS: Formal CS teaching in Brazilian MS is less frequently seen in MS curriculum compared to reported data from other countries. The CS teaching of "embracement" is unique to Brazil. PRACTICE IMPLICATIONS: This study adds to the literature by identifying the CS teaching of "embracement" in Brazilian MS, which could be considered outside Brazil.

Needs of family members of patients in intensive care and their perception of medical communication / Necessidades de familiares de pacientes em terapia intensiva e sua percepção da comunicação médica

ABSTRACT Objective: To understand the perception of medical communication and needs of family members with loved ones in intensive care. Methods: The study was mainly qualitative and exploratory, with thematic analysis of comments made by 92 family members with loved ones in intensive care units when answering in-person interviews comprising the Quality of Communication Questionnaire (QoC) and open-ended questions about their need for additional help, the appropriateness of the place where they received information, and additional comments. Results: The participants' mean age was 46.8 years (SD = 11.8), and most of them were female, married and had incomplete or completed elementary education. The following themes were found: perception of characteristics of medical communication; feelings generated by communication; considerations about specific questions in the QoC; family members' needs; and strategies to overcome needs regarding communication. Characteristics that facilitated communication included attention and listening. Characteristics that made communication difficult included aspects of information sharing, such as inaccessible language; lack of clarity, objectivity, sincerity, and agreement among the team; limited time; and inadequate location. Feelings such as shame, helplessness, and sadness were cited when communication was inadequate. Family members' needs related to communication included more details about the loved one's diagnosis, prognosis, and health condition; participation in decisionmaking; and being asked about feelings, spirituality, dying and death. Others were related to longer visitation time, psychological support, social assistance, and better infrastructure. Conclusion: It is necessary to enhance medical communication and improve hospital infrastructure to improve the quality of care for family members.

RESUMO Objetivo: Compreender a percepção da comunicação médica e das necessidades de familiares com entes queridos em terapia intensiva. Métodos: O estudo foi principalmente qualitativo e exploratório, com análise temática dos comentários feitos por 92 familiares com entes queridos em unidades de terapia intensiva ao responderem entrevistas presenciais, incluindo o Quality of Communication Questionnaire e perguntas abertas sobre sua necessidade de mais ajuda, a adequação do local onde recebiam informações e outros comentários. Resultados: A média de idade dos participantes foi 46,8 anos (desviopadrão de 11,8), e a maioria deles era do sexo feminino, casada e tinha educação fundamental incompleta ou completa. Foram encontrados os seguintes temas: percepção das características da comunicação médica; sentimentos gerados pela comunicação; considerações sobre questões específicas do Quality of Communication Questionnaire; necessidades dos familiares; e estratégias para suprir as necessidades relativas à comunicação. As características que facilitaram a comunicação incluíram atenção e escuta. As características que dificultaram a comunicação incluíram aspectos de compartilhamento de informações, como linguagem inacessível; falta de clareza, objetividade, sinceridade e concordância entre a equipe; tempo limitado e localização inadequada. Sentimentos como vergonha, impotência e tristeza foram citados quando a comunicação era inadequada. As necessidades dos familiares relacionadas à comunicação incluíam mais detalhes do diagnóstico, do prognóstico e da condição de saúde do ente querido; participação na tomada de decisões e ser questionado sobre sentimentos, espiritualidade, morrer e morte. Outros estavam relacionados às visitas mais longas, ao apoio psicológico, à assistência social e à melhor infraestrutura. Conclusão: É necessário otimizar a comunicação médica e a infraestrutura hospitalar para melhorar a qualidade da assistência a familiares.

A pandemia da COVID-19 e o trabalho docente: percepções de professores de uma universidade pública no estado de São Paulo, Brasil / The COVID-19 pandemic and teachers' work: perceptions of teachers from a public university in the state of São Paulo, Brazil

Resumo A pandemia da COVID-19 exigiu a reestruturação dos modelos educacionais nas universidades, incluindo a rápida transição para o ensino remoto. Realizamos uma pesquisa qualitativa com o objetivo de compreender a percepção de professores universitários sobre os efeitos da pandemia da COVID-19 para a rotina de trabalho e para a saúde dos docentes de uma universidade pública no estado de São Paulo. Foram realizadas entrevistas semiestruturadas com 17 docentes de cursos de graduação das ciências humanas, biológicas e exatas, entre agosto e setembro de 2020. As entrevistas foram gravadas e transcritas na íntegra. Da análise de conteúdo, quatro categorias temáticas emergiram: (1) mudanças na rotina de trabalho e seus impactos, incluindo a adaptação ao trabalho remoto e dificuldade em estabelecer limites entre trabalho e rotina pessoal; (2) alterações na dinâmica entre professor/alunos e possibilidade de repensar a prática docente; (3) relação dos docentes com a universidade, o processo de tomada de decisões, suporte para a transição ao ensino remoto e preocupações com a qualidade do ensino; e (4) angústias e medos relacionamos à pandemia que se somaram aos estressores do trabalho. Os resultados ressaltam a necessidade de ações direcionadas à gestão educacional, às dinâmicas comunicacionais e à saúde mental.

Abstract The COVID-19 pandemic required the restructuring of educational models, including the rapid transition from face-to-face to remote education. The aim of this qualitative research was to understand the effect of the COVID-19 pandemic on undergraduate professors' work and health at a public university in the state of São Paulo. Semi-structured interviews were conducted with 17 undergraduate faculty of humanities, biological and exact sciences form August to September 2020. The interviews were recorded and transcribed. From the content analysis, four thematic categories emerged: (1) changes in the work routine and their impacts, including adjustment to remote work and the difficulties in establishing boundaries between work and their personal life; (2) changes in the dynamics between faculty and students and the possibility of rethinking teaching practice; (3) the relationship between faculty and the university with emphasis on the decision-making process, support for the transition to remote teaching, and concerns about the quality of teaching; and (4) anguish and fears related to the pandemic that added to the set of work-related stressors. Our findings showed that actions towards the communicational dynamics, as well as actions towards faculties' mental health should be implemented.

Quality of Communication Questionnaire for COPD patients receiving palliative care: translation and cross-cultural adaptation for use in Brazil.

OBJECTIVE: To translate the Quality of Communication Questionnaire (QOC) to Portuguese and adapt it for use in Brazil in COPD patients receiving palliative care. METHODS: After approval from the first author of the original QOC and the local research ethics committee, the original, 13-item version of the questionnaire was independently translated to Brazilian Portuguese by two Brazilian translators fluent in English. The two translations were analyzed by a bilingual physician and the two Brazilian translators, who reached a consensus and produced another Portuguese version of the QOC. That version was back-translated to English by two translators originally from English-speaking countries and fluent in Portuguese. In order to resolve any discrepancies, an expert panel compared the original version of the QOC with all five versions produced up to that point, the "prefinal" version of the QOC for use in Brazil being thus arrived at. A total of 32 patients admitted to any of three public hospital ICUs in the greater metropolitan area of Florianopolis, in southern Brazil, participated in the pretesting phase of the study, which was aimed at assessing the clarity and cultural acceptability of the prefinal version of the QOC for use in Brazil. RESULTS: Mean patient age was 48.5 ± 18.8 years. Most of the items were well understood and accepted, being rated 8 or higher. One item, regarding death, was considered difficult to understand by the participants in the pretesting phase. After analyzing the back-translated version of the QOC, the first author of the original questionnaire requested that the items "Caring about you as a human being" and "Talking about what death might be like" be changed to "Caring about you as a person" and "Talking about how dying might be", respectively. The final version of the QOC for use in Brazil was thus arrived at. CONCLUSIONS: The QOC was successfully translated to Portuguese and adapted for use in Brazil.

Distribuição da semiologia do adulto nas escolas médicas do Brasil / Distribution of adult semiology in medical schools in Brazil

Resumo: Introdução: A semiologia é a base da prática clínica e seu ensino é essencial no curso de Medicina. Este estudo foi desenvolvido por haver uma lacuna no conhecimento sobre sua distribuição no Brasil. Objetivo: Este estudo teve como objetivo analisar a distribuição da semiologia do adulto nas escolas médicas brasileiras. Método: Trata-se de um estudo transversal descritivo realizado com 226 escolas médicas brasileiras que disponibilizavam a distribuição de semiologia na internet entre as 335 ativas, em dezembro de 2020 (67,5%). As variáveis estudadas foram região geográfica, administração, gratuidade e tempo de existência da escola, carga horária do curso, do internato e de semiologia, e ano(s) ou semestre(s) em que a semiologia era ofertada no currículo. A análise dos dados foi descritiva, e analisaram-se as associações com os testes: t de Student, análise de variância, qui-quadrado de Pearson, U de Mann-Whitney, Kruskal-Wallis e Wilcoxon. Admitiu-se um nível de significância de p < 0,05. Resultado: A semiologia foi mais frequentemente ofertada apenas no quarto semestre (n = 40), seguida por sua oferta em dois semestres: quarto e quinto e terceiro e quarto. Entre as 226 escolas, 142 integravam os conteúdos em módulos ou eixos (62,8%). Entre 117 escolas que forneciam a carga horária de semiologia, mediana foi de 240,0 horas (P25-75 = 165,4 - 338,2), sem diferença estatística por região geográfica, administração, gratuidade e tempo de existência da escola. A mediana da carga teórica de semiologia [77,5 horas (P25-75 = 51,7 - 123,5)] foi menor do que a carga prática [147,0 horas (P25-75 = 64,5 - 180,0)], Z = -3,99, p < 0,01. A mediana da porcentagem da carga horária de semiologia no curso foi de 2,9% (P25-75 = 2,0 - 4,0). Conclusão: A semiologia é mais frequentemente ofertada no quarto semestre, e sua carga horária não difere por características geográficas, de administração e tempo de existência das escolas estudadas.

Abstract: Introduction: Semiology is the basis of clinical practice and its teaching is essential in the medical course. This study was developed to fill a gap in the knowledge about its distribution in Brazil. Objective: To analyze the distribution of adult semiology in Brazilian medical schools. Method: Cross-sectional descriptive study with 226 Brazilian medical schools that provided the distribution of semiology on the Internet among the 335 active schools in December 2020 (67.5%) The variables studied were school geographic region, administration and free tuition, time of existence of the course, course load of the regular course, clerkship and semiology, and year(s) or semester(s) in which semiology was offered in the curriculum. Data analysis was descriptive and the associations were analyzed using: Student's t, Chi-square, Analysis of Variance, Mann-Whitney-U, Kruskal Wallis and Wilcoxon tests. The significance level was set at p < 0.05. Result: Semiology was more frequently offered only in the 4th semester (n = 40), followed by its offer in two semesters, the 4th and 5th and 3rd and 4th. Among the 226 schools, 142 integrated semiology into modules or axes (62.8%). Among the 117 schools that provided the semiology course load, its median was 240.0 hours (P25-75 = 165.4 - 338.2), with no statistical difference by geographic region, type of administration and time of existence of the course. The median of the theoretical course load [77.5 hours (P25-75 = 51.7 - 123.5)] was lower than the practical course load [147.0 hours (P25-75 = 64.5 - 180.0)], Z = - 3,99, p < 0,01. The median of the percentage of semiology course load during the course was 2.9% (P25-75 = 2.0 - 4.0). Conclusion: Semiology is more frequently offered in the 4th semester and its median course load is similar in Brazilian geographic regions and by school administration type and time of existence of the assessed schools.