Brazilian Survey on Preventive Actions for the Population With Access to Primary Healthcare: Inefficient Spending in a Country in Economic Crisis.

BACKGROUND: Cancer ranks second as a cause of death in Brazil. Although preventive practices are part of the daily routine of primary healthcare (PHC) teams, organized screening programs are lacking. This study aimed to evaluate the adequacy of preventive interventions in the main cancer types, as defined by the Brazilian government. METHODS: We analyzed cross-sectional data from a larger project conducted in 2016 with PHC service users and physicians from all over Brazil, interviewed by trained research staff. The sample was stratified by the number of PHC physicians per geographic region, who were eligible for inclusion if they had been working in the same PHC unit for at least one year. Twelve adult patients with at least two encounters were included per participating physician. Only the data from service users were analyzed in this study. We evaluated the questions about preventive practices and calculated the following indicators: coverage, focus, screening errors, and screening ratio. National guidelines and international evidence were used as a comparison parameter. RESULTS: The study population consisted of 6160 service users. The data indicate that the recommendations for cervical, breast, and prostate cancer screening and for treatment of tobacco dependence are not adequately followed. Coverage for breast and cervical cancer screening presented an overutilization bias, with rates 50% and 9% above the expected, respectively. The screening focus was also inadequate: 24%, 47%, and 54% of the screening tests for the three cancer types were performed in individuals outside the recommended age range. 31% of smokers were not approached for treatment. CONCLUSION: These findings indicate that the Brazilian population has been subjected to inadequate and potentially iatrogenic interventions in PHC. New policies based on stricter criteria of adequacy and increased use of the concept of quaternary prevention may improve the effectiveness and equity of the health system.

Cross-cultural adaptation of the Patient-Doctor Relationship Questionnaire (PDRQ-9) in Brazil.

OBJECTIVE: To describe the process of cross-cultural adaptation of the Patient-Doctor Relationship Questionnaire (PDRQ-9), as well as compare the agreement between two different types of application. METHODS: This is a cross-sectional study with 133 adult users of a Primary Health Service in Porto Alegre, State of Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil. The PDRQ-9 was answered by the participants as a self-administered questionnaire and in an interview. The instrument was also validated by interview, using data from 628 participants of the Mais Médicos Program Evaluation Research, which is a cross-sectional study with a systematic sample of Primary Care Services in all regions of Brazil. We evaluated the semantic, conceptual, and item equivalence, as well as factor analysis and reliability. RESULTS: All items presented factor loading > 0.5 in the different methods of application and populations in the factor analysis. We found Cronbach's alpha of 0.94 in the self-administered method. We found Cronbach's alpha of 0.95 and 0.94 in the two different samples in the interview application. The use of PDRQ-9 with an interview or self-administered was considered equivalent. CONCLUSIONS: The cross-cultural adaptation of the PDRQ-9 in Brazil replicated the factorial structure found in the original study, with high internal consistency. The instrument can be used as a new dimension in the evaluation of the quality of health care in clinical research, in the evaluation of services and public health, in health management, and in professional training. Further studies can evaluate other properties of the instrument, as well as its behavior in different populations and contexts.

Cross-cultural adaptation of the Patient-Doctor Relationship Questionnaire (PDRQ-9) in Brazil / Adaptação transcultural do instrumento Patient-Doctor Relationship Questionnaire (PDRQ-9) no Brasil

ABSTRACT OBJECTIVE To describe the process of cross-cultural adaptation of the Patient-Doctor Relationship Questionnaire (PDRQ-9), as well as compare the agreement between two different types of application. METHODS This is a cross-sectional study with 133 adult users of a Primary Health Service in Porto Alegre, State of Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil. The PDRQ-9 was answered by the participants as a self-administered questionnaire and in an interview. The instrument was also validated by interview, using data from 628 participants of the Mais Médicos Program Evaluation Research, which is a cross-sectional study with a systematic sample of Primary Care Services in all regions of Brazil. We evaluated the semantic, conceptual, and item equivalence, as well as factor analysis and reliability. RESULTS All items presented factor loading > 0.5 in the different methods of application and populations in the factor analysis. We found Cronbach's alpha of 0.94 in the self-administered method. We found Cronbach's alpha of 0.95 and 0.94 in the two different samples in the interview application. The use of PDRQ-9 with an interview or self-administered was considered equivalent. CONCLUSIONS The cross-cultural adaptation of the PDRQ-9 in Brazil replicated the factorial structure found in the original study, with high internal consistency. The instrument can be used as a new dimension in the evaluation of the quality of health care in clinical research, in the evaluation of services and public health, in health management, and in professional training. Further studies can evaluate other properties of the instrument, as well as its behavior in different populations and contexts.

RESUMO OBJETIVO Descrever o processo de adaptação transcultural do Patient-Doctor Relationship Questionnaire (PDRQ-9), além de comparar a concordância entre duas diferentes formas de aplicação. MÉTODOS Estudo transversal, com 133 usuários adultos de uma Unidade Básica de Saúde de Porto Alegre, RS. O PDRQ-9 foi respondido pelos participantes de maneira autoaplicada e por meio de entrevista. O instrumento também foi validado por entrevista, utilizando os dados de 628 participantes da Pesquisa de Avaliação do Programa Mais Médicos, um estudo transversal com amostra sistemática de Unidades Básicas de Saúde em todas as regiões do Brasil. Foram realizadas avaliações de equivalência semântica, conceitual e de itens, análise fatorial e avaliação da fidedignidade. RESULTADOS Todos os itens apresentaram carga fatorial > 0,5 nos diferentes métodos de aplicação e populações na análise fatorial. Foi encontrado alfa de Cronbach de 0,94 no método autoaplicado. A aplicação por meio de entrevista encontrou alfa de Cronbach de 0,95 e 0,94 nas duas amostras diferentes. A utilização do PDRQ-9 por meio de entrevista ou de maneira autoaplicada foi considerada equivalente. CONCLUSÕES A adaptação transcultural do PDRQ-9 no Brasil replicou a estrutura fatorial encontrada no estudo original, com alta consistência interna. O instrumento poderá ser utilizado como uma nova dimensão na avaliação da qualidade do cuidado em saúde em pesquisas clínicas, na avaliação de serviços e em saúde pública, na gestão em saúde e na formação profissional. Novos estudos poderão ampliar a avaliação de outras propriedades do instrumento, bem como seu comportamento em diferentes populações e contextos.

Telemedicine-supported transition of stable coronary artery disease patients from tertiary to primary health care facilities: protocol for a randomized non-inferiority trial.

BACKGROUND: Many Brazilian patients with complex diseases who are treated in tertiary referral clinics have been stable for long periods. The main needs of these patients involve monitoring of risk factors and review of drug prescriptions, which could be satisfactorily done in primary care facilities. The goal of this protocol is to evaluate the safety and effectiveness of telemedicine services to support the transition of patients with stable chronic coronary artery disease from the tertiary to the primary level of care. METHODS/DESIGN: We designed a randomized non-inferiority protocol that will include 280 patients with stable coronary artery disease (for at least 12 months). Patients will be selected from the Ischemic Heart Disease Clinic in a tertiary care hospital in southern Brazil. Enrolled participants will be randomized into one of two groups: 12 months of follow-up at the same clinic; or 12 months of follow-up at a primary care facility with clinical support from a telemedicine platform including a toll-free line for physicians (intervention group). In the intervention group, decisions to refer patients to tertiary care during follow-up will be made jointly by primary physicians and medical teleconsultants. The groups will be compared in terms of the primary outcome-maintenance of baseline functional class 1 or 2 after 12 months. Secondary outcomes include control of risk factors and instability of the disease. DISCUSSION: We intend to determine the effectiveness of using telemedicine to qualify the transition of patients with chronic coronary disease from the tertiary to the primary level of care. This should facilitate the access of patients to the healthcare system, since care will be provided closer to their homes, and provide more opportunities for treatment of severe cases at tertiary care hospitals that are often overcrowded. TRIAL REGISTRATION: ClinicalTrials.gov # NCT02489565 - trial registration date May 13, 2015.

Telehealth in Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil: Bridging the Gaps.

INTRODUCTION: In 1988, Brazil adopted a universal healthcare model in which access is mediated by the primary care level. However, difficulties have emerged in the coordination of care between the primary and specialized levels. Telehealth was thus proposed as a means to overcome this challenge. This article describes initiatives developed by a large Brazilian program, TelessaúdeRS/UFRGS, in the fields of teleconsultation, telediagnosis, tele-education, and information technology development to support the public healthcare system. MATERIALS AND METHODS: TelessaúdeRS/UFRGS was established in 2010 to develop a telehealth platform and a support system for primary care teams with a special focus on optimizing the flow between primary and specialized levels of care. To define priorities, TelessaúdeRS analyzes the health needs of the Brazilian population and the most common inquiries it receives from primary care health professionals. This information is then combined with the best available scientific evidence for development of services. RESULTS: Since 2010, over 50,000 clinical consultations have been provided. More than 15,000 healthcare professionals have benefited from teleconsultations and from telediagnosis and tele-education activities. All services were provided using information technology solutions developed by the Telessaúde team, including smartphone apps and a Web-based National Telehealth Platform. CONCLUSIONS: The case of TelessaúdeRS/UFRGS shows that even in the presence of structural limitations, telemedicine is potentially useful to improve the quality of care and streamline the flow between different levels of care.

Validação do instrumento de avaliação da atenção primária à saúde: PCATool-Brasil adultos / Validation of the Primary Care Assessment Tool: PCATool-Brazil for adults / Validación del instrumento para la evaluación de la atención primaria de salud: PCATool-Brasil adultos

Objetivo: traduzir e adaptar o PCATool versão usuários adultos ao contexto brasileiro e avaliar sua validade e fidedignidade. Métodos: Foi realizado um estudo transversal no qual foram entrevistados 2.404 usuários adultos residentes nas áreas adscritas da rede pública dos serviços de Atenção Primária à Saúde (APS) em Porto Alegre e usuários vinculados a um plano de autogestão. O processo de validação constituiu-se de tradução e tradução reversa, adaptação, validade de conteúdo, validade fatorial e fidedignidade. Resultados: Na análise fatorial, foram considerados 12 fatores que explicaram 50,83% da variação total. Assim, foram reconhecidos os seguintes atributos da APS: acesso - acessibilidade e utilização, longitudinalidade, coordenação - coordenação do cuidado e sistemas de informação, integralidade - serviços disponíveis e serviços prestados, enfoque familiar e orientação comunitária. Para a consistência interna, foi obtido alfa de Cronbach variando de 0,15 a 0,90. A estabilidade temporal não foi verificada para coordenação do cuidado (p<0,05), coordenação de sistema de informação (p<0,05) e integralidade de serviços prestados (p<0,05). Na razão êxito da escala, todos os componentes/atributos apresentaram valores próximos de 100%, à exceção do componente sistema de informação. Conclusões: os resultados indicaram que o PCATool-Brasil possui adequada validade e fidedignidade, podendo constituir-se em instrumento nacional de avaliação da APS para usuários adultos.

Objective: to translate and adapt the PCATool version for adult users to the Brazilian context and assess its validity and reliability. Methods: We conducted a cross-sectional study of 2404 adult users living in areas covered from public services Primary Care in Porto Alegre, and users of a self- management plan. We performed translation, reverse translation and adaptation of the instrument as well as its assessment in respect of content validity, factorial validity and reliability. Results: In the factor analysis were considered 12 factors that explained 50.83% of the total variation. In this way were recognized the attributes of Primary Care: access - accessibility and utilization; longitudinality; coordination - coordination of care and systems of information; comprehensiveness - services available and services provided; family orientation; and community orientation. In terms of internal consistency the values of Cronbach's alpha ranged from 0.15 to 0.90. The stability over time was not observed for coordination of care (p<0.05), coordination information of system (p<0.05) and comprehensiveness of services provided (p<0.05). The scaling success rate was close to 100% for all attributes, except to coordination of information system. Conclusions: the results indicated that the PCATool-Brazil has adequate validity and reliability, and it can act as a national instrument for the assessment of Primary Care from the perspective of adult users.

Objetivo: traducir y adaptar el PCATool versión usuarios adultos al contexto brasileño y evaluar su validez y fiabilidad. Métodos: Se realizó un estudio transversal en el cual se encuestaron a 2404 usuarios adultos residentes en áreas adscritas a la red pública de servicios de Atención Primaria de Salud (APS) en Porto Alegre y a otros usuarios vinculados a un seguro de salud de auto-gestión. El proceso de validación consistió en traducción y traducción reversa, adaptación, validez de contenido, validez factorial y fiabilidad. Resultados: En el análisis factorial se consideraron 12 factores que explicaron 50,83% de la variación total. Así, se reconocieron los siguientes atributos de la APS: acceso - accesibilidad y utilización, longitudinalidad, coordinación - coordinación del cuidado y sistemas de información, integralidad - servicios disponibles y servicios prestados, enfoque familiar y orientación comunitaria. Para la consistencia interna se obtuvo un alfa de Cronbach oscilando entre 0,15 y 0,90. La estabilidad temporal no se verificó para la coordinación del cuidado (p<0,05), la coordinación del sistema de información (p<0,05) y la integralidad de servicios prestados (p<0,05). En la razón de éxito de la escala todos los componentes/atributos presentaron valores próximos al 100%, con excepción del componente sistema de información. Conclusiones: los resultados indicaron que el PCATool-Brasil tiene una adecuada validez y fiabilidad, pudiendo constituirse en herramienta nacional para la evaluación de la APS en usuarios adultos.

Autopercepção da saúde entre usuários da Atenção Primária em Porto Alegre, RS / Self-perceived health of adults users of Primary Health Care Services in Porto Alegre, RS, Brazil

A autopercepção da saúde baseia-se em critérios subjetivos e objetivos, sendo influenciada por fatores como sexo, idade, classe social e presença de doenças crônicas. Este trabalho descreve a autopercepção da saúde de usuários adultos adscritos à rede de Atenção Primária à Saúde (APS) de Porto Alegre (RS). Trata-se de um estudo transversal de base populacional, que avaliou a autopercepção da saúde por meio da pergunta "Comparado com alguém de sua idade e sexo, como você considera sua saúde?". As respostas foram agrupadas em "boa" ou "ruim". Variáveis sociodemográficas e econômicas, biológicas, de estilo de vida, do estado de saúde e da relação com o Serviço de Saúde ou médico referido foram utilizadas no modelo hierárquico conceitual para auxiliar na descrição da autopercepção de saúde por meio de regressão de Poisson modificada. De 3.009 usuários, 2.355 (78,3%; IC: 74,9-81,3) referiram ter boa autopercepção de saúde, dos quais 1.013 (43%; IC: 39,3-46,9) eram homens, 1.229 pertenciam às classes sociais C, D e E (52,2%; IC: 40,2-63,9), 629 (26,7%; IC: 26,5-30,1) pertenciam à faixa etária de 18 a 30 anos e 626 (26,6%; IC: 21,5-31,5) à faixa etária de 30 a 45 anos. Dos que referiram boa autopercepção de saúde, 1.075 eram tabagistas (45,7%; IC: 40,9-50,6), 276 consumiam mais de 175g de álcool/semana (11,7%; IC: 10,2-13,4), 1.197 eram sedentários (51,4%; IC: 49,1-53,7) e 573 possuíam pelo menos uma doença crônica (24,4%; IC: 20,9-28,2). Pelo modelo hierárquico, observa-se que sexo feminino (RP: 0,92; IC: 0,88-0,95), tabagismo (RP: 0,92; IC: 0,88-0,96), presença de doença crônica (RP: 0,78; IC: 0,72-0,84) e utilização do Serviço ­ pelo menos quatro consultas/ano (RP: 0,85; IC: 0,82-0,92) foram fatores que diminuem a probabilidade de uma pessoa referir boa autopercepção de saúde. Não ter hospitalização (RP: 1,14; IC: 1,06-1,25) e estar satisfeito com a última consulta (RP: 1,19; IC: 1,11-1,27) aumentaram significativamente a probabilidade de o usuário avaliar sua saúde como boa. A autopercepção da saúde mostra-se influenciada por fatores biológicos, socioeconômicos e de vínculo com o Serviço. Cabe ressaltar que maior satisfação com Serviço de APS estava associada à melhor autopercepção de saúde, justificando a reorganização do Sistema Único de Saúde pela ampliação da rede de Serviços de APS, como a Estratégia Saúde da Família

Self-perceived health is based on both subjective and objective criteria and can be influenced by factors such as gender, age, social class and existing chronic disease. This paper describes self-perceived health in adults affiliated to the network of Primary Health Care (PHC) in the city of Porto Alegre (RS), Brazil. This is a population-based cross-sectional study. Self-perceived health was assessed based on the question: "Compared to someone from your age and gender, how would you rate your health?". Responses were assembled as "good" or "bad". Socioeconomic and demographic variables, as well as biological effects, lifestyle, health status and the relationship between patients and the Health Care System or doctors have been used in the hierarchical conceptual model in order to help the description of self-perception of health through modified Poisson regression. From 3,009 users, 2,355 (78.3%; CI: 74.9-81.3) believed to have good self-perceived health. Out of the total 1,013 (43%; CI: 39.3-46.9) were men, 1,229 belonged to C, D and E social classes (52.2%; CI: 40.2-63.9), 629 (26.7 %; IC: 26.5-30.1) belonged to age 18 to 30 years and 626 (26.6%; IC: 21.5-31.5) to 30 to 45 years of age. From those having self-perceived their health as "good", 1,075 smoked (45.7%; CI: 40.9-50.6), 276 consumed more than 175g of alcohol per week (11.7%; CI: 10.2-13.4), 1,197 were sedentary (51.4%; CI: 49.1-53.7) and 573 suffered at least from one chronic disease (24.4%; CI: 20.9-28.2). By means of hierarchical model, we have observed that the probability of a person referring to his/her self-perceived health as good, diminished if they were women (PR: 0.92; CI: 0.88-0.95), smokers (PR: 0.92; CI: 0.88-0.96), had a chronic disease (PR: 0.78; CI: 0.72-0.84), or were users of the Health Services ­ at least four appointments per year (PR: 0.85; CI: 0.82-0.92). Conversely, not having been hospitalized (PR: 1.14; CI: 1.06-1.25) or been satisfied with the latest appointment (PR: 1.19; CI: 1.11-1.27) increased significantly the probability of a user to assess its health as "good". Self-perceived health has proved to be influenced by biological and socialeconomic factors as well as existing attachment to health services. It should be noted that the more satisfied a patient was with PHC services, the better self-perception of health he had, which justifies the reorganization of the Brazilian national health care service (Sistema Único de Saúde) through the extension of present PHC network services, such as the Family Health Strategy (Estratégia Saúde da Família) program.