Telehealth Centers: A Proposal of a Theoretical Model for Evaluation.

BACKGROUND: Telehealth is a form of assistance support and continuing education for professionals who work in Primary Healthcare. INTRODUCTION: The implementation of the Brazilian Telehealth Program has extended the need for evaluation of its results to improve its use and benefits. Thus, it is necessary to systematize the theory, principals, and guidelines that guide the program organization, its activities, and resources. The objective of this study is to propose a theoretical model of functioning and organization for telehealth centers of the Brazilian Telehealth Program. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A study that combined bibliographic, documental research and empiric data to systematize information, which are the basis functioning of the program, and verify the availability of telehealth centers in Brazil. RESULTS: The results were the construction of a theoretical model that demonstrated the evaluability of the object and the definition of methodological paths to continue the evaluation research that respond with fragilities and potentialities. DISCUSSION: In Brazil, there is public funding for telehealth activities offered by telehealth centers linked to the Ministry of Health. Its operation is guided by support for training and assistance activities, enabling qualification and strengthening of professionals to improve patient care and increase access. The transformation of reality is possible and favored by the articulation of teaching and service. More research is needed to evaluate these services offered. Theoretical guidance through modeling is fundamental to qualify the evaluation. CONCLUSION: The theoretical model is an important tool to qualify and optimize the evaluative research process.

Increasing primary care capacity and referral efficiency: A case study of a telehealth centre eConsult service in Brazil.

INTRODUCTION: eConsults are asynchronous digital communications for primary care professionals to seek timely specialist advice. Potential benefits include increased primary healthcare capacity and referral efficiency. Santa Catarina Telehealth Centre in Brazil has offered eConsults for an increasing number of specialties since 2008. This study described the characteristics of this service, including referral efficiency, sustainability, and satisfaction. METHODS: Retrospective longitudinal analysis of eConsults activity data from 2015 to 2022 with three domains of the Model for Assessment of Telemedicine Applications used to structure the analysis. RESULTS: Characteristics of the application: The total number of eConsults performed in 2015 was 4764, reaching 41,178 in 2022. While 30.3% of eConsults were synchronous in 2015, only asynchronous communication remained from 2021. Clinical effectiveness: eConsults requested to refer patients to specialist care resulting in primary care management remaining above 30% of the total for all specialties from 2019 to 2022, with hematology having the highest percentage (>52%). Organizational aspects: Established workflows with local specialists responding to eConsults (cardiology, endocrinology, hematology and orthopaedics) kept a constant or increasing number of eConsults and maintained the proportion of primary care management from 2019 to 2022, once recovered from COVID-19 and funding restrictions-related reductions. Over 90% of primary care professionals are either satisfied or very satisfied with the eConsult service. CONCLUSION: Over 8 years, 223,734 consultations were conducted, with high satisfaction, demonstrating the substantial potential for increased primary care-sensitive conditions management. Hiring local specialists, fostering integrated care, and enabling sustainable workflows are key to eConsults' success.

Telecare in the Brazilian Unified Health System: where we are and where we are heading. / Teleassistência no Sistema Único de Saúde brasileiro: onde estamos e para onde vamos?

This article explores telecare from telehealth developments and the recent acceleration of the digital health transformation caused by the COVID-19 pandemic, focusing on the Brazilian Unified Health System (SUS). It addresses terminological issues, the scope of actions, the potential use for healthcare, and constraints and contingencies for telecare in Brazil, focusing on teleconsultations and interactions between health professionals and patients. Finally, it presents a set of propositions for the development of telecare policies and practices in Brazil, considering SUS principles, in two central themes: organizational political guidelines and operational propositions to organise services and healthcare delivery. The importance of clarifying the scope and limits of new technologies is highlighted in the attempt to avoid idealizations with proposed solutions to complex health problems. Telecare solutions should be compatible with SUS principles and with the recommended model of care, with the healthcare network coordinated and organised by primary care, ensuring access to health services and integrated and quality healthcare for the Brazilian society.

O artigo explora a teleassistência a partir dos desenvolvimentos da telessaúde e da aceleração da transformação digital na saúde provocada pela pandemia de COVID-19, com foco no Sistema Único de Saúde (SUS). Aborda questões terminológicas, escopo de ações, potencialidades do uso para atenção à saúde e condicionantes e contingências para a utilização da teleassistência no Brasil, concentrando-se nas teleconsultas e nas interações entre profissionais de saúde e pacientes. Por fim, apresenta um conjunto de proposições para o desenvolvimento das políticas e práticas de teleassistência no Brasil, tendo em vista os princípios do SUS, organizados em dois eixos estratégicos centrais: diretrizes político organizacionais e proposições operacionais e de organização dos serviços e do cuidado. Destaca-se a importância de ponderar e elucidar os alcances e os limites das novas tecnologias para evitar idealizações e deslumbramentos com suas propostas de solução para os complexos problemas de saúde. As soluções de teleassistência devem ser compatíveis com princípios e diretrizes do SUS e com o modelo de atenção preconizado, que prevê a organização da rede a partir da atenção primária, para garantir acesso, integralidade e qualidade da atenção à saúde para a sociedade brasileira.

Overweight/obesity is associated with food choices related to rice and beans, colors of salads, and portion size among consumers at a restaurant serving buffet-by-weight in Brazil.

The present study investigated the prevalence of overweight/obesity and its relationship with behavioral and food choice characteristics among consumers at a restaurant serving buffet-by-weight in the city of Florianopolis, southern Brazil, during lunch time. An analytical cross-sectional survey of 675 consumers aged 16-81 years was conducted. The measures included anthropometric, socio-demographic, and behavioral characteristics, as well as portion size and a photographic record of the plate chosen by the consumer. The results indicated a prevalence of overweight/obesity in the sample of 33.8%. Overall, after an adjustment for other variables (sex, age, schooling, marital status, and food choice variables), overweight/obesity was positively associated with not choosing rice and beans (PR=1.11) and larger portion sizes (PR=1.08 for a portion size of 347-462 g and PR=1.16 for a portion size of 463 g or more). Moreover, choosing 1-2 colors of salads showed a positive association when compared with choosing 3 or more colors of salads (PR=1.06). Efforts in helping consumers make healthier food choices when eating out and thereby possibly reduce weight gain should address those aspects along with socio-demographic factors.

Health professionals' views of medical teleconsultation uptake in the Brazilian Unified Health System: A description using the NASSS framework.

BACKGROUND: The COVID-19 pandemic accelerated efforts to deploy and regulate medical teleconsultation in Brazil. Studying the Brazilian Unified Public Health System (SUS) experiences in implementing teleconsultations can help to inform their sustainability. This study identifies the changes required to integrate specialized teleconsultation in local workflows in SUS. METHODS: A case study of teleconsultation performed by a University Hospital and a Municipal Specialty Outpatient Clinic in the south of Brazil collected information from two focus groups with specialised doctors, two key informant interviews and associated documents. The Non-adoption, Abandonment, Scale-up, Spread, and Sustainability (NASSS) framework domains of condition, technology, proposal value, users and organization informed a qualitative thematic analysis of this data. RESULTS: Several forms of teleconsultation were used to manage paediatrics and endocrine conditions including instant messaging, WhatsApp, telephone calls and video consultations which were also used for dermatology. In Brazil, telephone interactions are not considered teleconsultation. In contrast, video consultations were longer than face-to-face appointments, facilitate the understanding and evaluation of conditions, and offered continuity of care, comfort, and safety, without the need for patients to travel, reducing the risk of infection. Patients accepted video consultations to varying degrees but some found it difficult to use the technology. The willingness of doctors to provide any form of teleconsultation was important. Management support was key to defining workflows, coordinating care pathways, and providing technical support. CONCLUSIONS: This study highlights particularities of teleconsultation uptake for the included specialities. The NASSS framework provides a useful means of identifying the changes to enable teleconsultation continuity for specialised care in SUS.

Structure and work process for implementing medical teleconsultation in the Brazilian National Health System, a cross-sectional study using 2017-2018 data. / Estrutura e processo de trabalho para implantação da teleconsulta médica no Sistema Único de Saúde do Brasil, um estudo transversal com dados de 2017-2018.

OBJECTIVE: To compare the structure and the work process in Primary Care for implementing medical teleconsultation in municipalities in different regions and with different population sizes (<25,000; 25,000-100,000; >100,000 inhabitants). METHODS: Cross-sectional study, with descriptive and bivariate analysis, using data from 2017-2018 to assess the availability of computers with internet access, webcam, microphone, speaker, as well as to assess the work processes (use of Telehealth, service supply and demand control center, and communication flow). RESULTS: 30,346 primary health centers and 38,865 teams were evaluated. Presence of teleconsultation equipment in the health centers ranged from 1.2% in large northern municipalities to 26.7% in small southern municipalities. Established work process ranged from 10.7% in small northern municipalities to 39.5% in large southern municipalities. Compared to the South, medium-sized municipalities in the North (OR=0.14 - 95%CI 0.11;0.17) and Northeast (OR=0.21 - 95%CI 0.18;0.25) regions were less likely to have the necessary equipment. CONCLUSION: Significant regional inequalities call for investments in Digital Health.

Structure and work process for food and nutrition actions in Primary Health Care in Brazil, 2014. / Estrutura e processo de trabalho para as ações de alimentação e nutrição na Atenção Primária à Saúde no Brasil, 2014.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the conditions of structure and work process for food and nutrition actions in Primary Health Care in Brazil. METHODS: This was a cross-sectional study with secondary data from the Program for Primary Health Care Access and Quality Improvement. The proportions of Primary Health Care Center (PHCC) and health team adequacy were described according to organizational variables, using prevalence ratios and Poisson regression. RESULTS: 19,793 PHCCs and 24,549 teams were analyzed; 35.0% (n=6,928) of PHCCs were considered adequate in relation to structure and 7.9% (n=1,934) of the teams had adequate work process. Standing out in the analyses of association are PHCCs in the Southern region (44.7%) and teams in the Southeastern region (10.9%), in addition to municipalities with more than 300,000 inhabitants. CONCLUSION: The PHCCs and teams analyzed presented a low proportion of adequacy for structure and work process for food and nutrition actions.

Methods and operational aspects of an epidemiological study and evaluation of Rede Cegonha. / Métodos e aspectos operacionais de um estudo epidemiológico e de avaliação da Rede Cegonha.

OBJECTIVE: To describe the methodological and operational aspects of an epidemiological and an evaluation of Rede Cegonha in Santa Catarina, Brazil. METHODS: The research carried out in 2019 was composed of two sub-studies. Regarding the first, whose design was epidemiological and analyzed prenatal, delivery and immediate puerperium care addressed to pregnant women, puerperal women and children assisted at SUS, the instruments used for data collection and the organization of the field of the study are described. The other sub-study was a normative assessment of municipal management in prenatal and postpartum care within the scope of Rede Cegonha. It began with an evaluability assessment followed by the assessment itself. The different methodological strategies adopted are described, with the involvement of stakeholders and experts. RESULTS: The response rate of the epidemiological sub-study was 97.7%. Women residing in 82.7% of Santa Catarina's municipalities were interviewed. The sample was similar to that registered in SINASC for the same period, and the characteristics of the sub-sample interviewed after six months was similar to the global sample. The evaluation study improved and applied a model with 32 indicators that allowed to analyze the municipalities considering the political-organizational and tactical-operational aspects. Two hundred and four municipalities answered the questionnaire (69.1%); they were evaluated according to their respective population size. CONCLUSION: The availability of methodological procedures of studies that articulate epidemiological and evaluation methods allows generating more accurate and complete information and contribute with the design and evaluation of health policies, programs and actions.

OBJETIVO: Descrever aspectos metodológicos e operacionais de um estudo epidemiológico e de avaliação da Rede Cegonha em Santa Catarina, Brasil. MÉTODOS: A pesquisa realizada em 2019 foi composta de dois subestudos. No primeiro, cujo desenho foi epidemiológico e que analisou os cuidados recebidos no pré-natal, parto e puerpério imediato por gestantes, puérperas e crianças no Sistema Único de Saúde (SUS), são descritos os instrumentos de coleta dos dados e a organização da etapa de campo do estudo. O segundo foi uma avaliação normativa da gestão municipal na atenção ao pré-natal e puerpério no âmbito da Rede Cegonha. Iniciou-se com um estudo de avaliabilidade, seguido da avaliação propriamente dita. São descritas as diferentes estratégias metodológicas adotadas, com o envolvimento de stakeholders e especialistas. RESULTADOS: A taxa de participação das mulheres entrevistadas no subestudo epidemiológico foi de 97,7%. Mulheres residentes em 82,7% dos municípios catarinenses foram entrevistadas. A amostra foi semelhante ao registrado no Sistema de Informações sobre Nascidos Vivos (SINASC) para o mesmo período, e o perfil da subamostra entrevistada após seis meses foi semelhante ao da amostra global. O estudo avaliativo desenvolveu e aplicou modelo com 32 indicadores, que permitiu analisar a gestão sob dois aspectos: político-organizacional e tático-operacional. Contou com a adesão de 204 municípios catarinenses (69,1%), avaliados segundo o porte populacional. CONCLUSÃO: A disponibilização de procedimentos metodológicos que possibilitem a articulação de estudos da epidemiologia e da avaliação em saúde permite gerar informações mais precisas e completas para contribuir para o delineamento e a avaliação de políticas, programas e ações de saúde do SUS.

The prosthetic need WHO index: a comparison between self-perception and professional assessment in an elderly population.

The purpose of this study was to consider the criteria for establishing the need for prosthesis, by comparing the need perceived subjectively by a patient (self-perception) with that assessed by an examiner according to the WHO diagnosis criteria. The proposed domiciliary sample comprised 270 elderly (aged 60 years or older) residents in a municipality in southern Brazil. The interviews and oral examinations were conducted by two dentists following a period of training and calibration. The criteria used conformed to the WHO and FDI standards. Statistical treatment of data included bivariate and multivariate analysis using SPSS 10.0. Only five patients identified the need for a prosthesis when not identified by the examiner. In the case of 172 elderly subjects, there was agreement in the self-perceived and observed treatment needs. The need for prosthesis was found in 93 elderly subjects who did not perceive any need for prosthetic treatment. The multivariate analysis showed that the variables age, gender, residential area and form of service most sought after during their lives were significantly associated with a better self-perception of oral health. The professional criteria based on WHO guidelines differed from the self-perceived need. Elderly male subjects who lived in a rural area and were 70 years of age or more, who did not participate in third age groups, and who had not sought dental services for most of their lives were the least likely to perceive the need for prosthetic treatment, thereby underestimating their oral health needs.

Building a model to evaluate use of the National Program for Improving Primary Health Care Access and Quality in Brazil. / Construindo um modelo para avaliar o uso do Programa Nacional de Melhoria do Acesso e da Qualidade da Atenção Básica.

OBJECTIVE: to build a model to evaluate use of the National Program for Improving Primary Health Care Access and Quality (PMAQ-AB) in Brazil. METHODS: document analysis and literature review followed by a consensus workshop with specialists, 19 specialists were invited who were selected because of their teaching or research experience, professional activities or publications related to the subject; validation took place on an online platform where participants were asked to analyze the evaluation proposal and to give their opinion based on the categories 'I totally agree', 'partially agree', and 'disagree'. RESULTS: 15 specialists confirmed their participation; at the end of three rounds, the specialists emphasized the clarity of the proposal and the clarity of the object of evaluation presented in both the Logic Model and the Theoretical Logic Model; the specialists fully agreed with the Evaluation Matrix and confirmed its theoretical consistency. CONCLUSION: this model will be applied to evaluate the use of PMAQ-AB in Primary Health Care management and health team actions.

Intercensal Brazilian municipality stratificatation updating for health performance evaluation, 2015. / Atualização intercensitária de estratificação de municípios brasileiros para avaliação de desempenho em saúde, 2015.

OBJECTIVE: to describe updating of stratification of the Brazilian municipalities in order to evaluate health performance. METHODS: this was a descriptive and methodological study with stratification of municipalities according to population size and conditions influencing health management, using data from the intercensal period (2015) and showing classification variations compared with the census period (2010); the original data on demographic characteristics, funding capacity and population purchasing power were adjusted for the year 2015 based on a baseline study conducted with census data. RESULTS: some 15% of the municipalities were reclassified in the intercensal period, with the main factors of change being the conditions influencing health management. CONCLUSION: the need for intercensal updating of this form of classification was confirmed, given that the socioeconomic conditions of the municipalities vary in the five-year period; Primary Health performance evaluation should consider updated stratifications that include management conditions for the purpose of classification.

[Assessment of the Family Health Program in municipalities in Santa Catarina State, Brazil]. / Avaliação do Programa Saúde da Família nos municípios do Estado de Santa Catarina, Brasil.

This evaluative study aimed to classify the municipalities (counties) in the State of Santa Catarina, Brazil, as to implementation of the Family Health Program, using three categories (satisfactory, intermediate, and unsatisfactory) and two different periods (2001 e 2004). The indicators were coverage, evidence of change in the healthcare model, and impact. According to the results, coverage increased significantly from 2001 to 2004 (p<0.0001). Evidence of change in the healthcare model and impact did not change significantly. In 2001, 48% of the municipalities showed an unsatisfactory situation, as compared to 45% with intermediate and 7% satisfactory performance, while in 2004 the figures were 29%, 58%, and 13%, respectively. Improvement in classification from 2001 to 2004 was statistically significant (p=0.0061). Analysis of the data as a whole showed that changes in the final classification resulted basically from the coverage indicator, demonstrating effective expansion in access. However, these indicators did not show significant changes in the healthcare model during the period analyzed.

[Prevalence of symptoms of anorexia nervosa and dissatisfaction with body image among female adolescents in Florianópolis, Santa Catarina State, Brazil]. / Prevalência de sintomas de anorexia nervosa e insatisfação com a imagem corporal em adolescentes do sexo feminino do Município de Florianópolis, Santa Catarina, Brasil.

The objective of this study was to identify the prevalence of symptoms of anorexia nervosa (EAT+) and dissatisfaction with body image among female adolescents in Florianópolis, Santa Catarina State, Brazil. The proportional sample (1,148 adolescents) was stratified according to position of schools in the socio-geographic regions and public/private school classification, and was subsequently distributed according to primary and secondary schools. EAT+ was identified through the Eating Attitudes Test and evaluation of body image through the Body Shape Questionnaire. Prevalence rates for EAT+ and dissatisfaction with body image were 15.6% and 18.8%, respectively. EAT+ was associated with age (10-13y) (OR = 1.542; p = 0.046); overweight/obesity (OR = 2.075; p < 0.001); dissatisfaction with body image (OR = 14.392; p < 0.001); and public schools (OR = 1.423; p = 0.041). Multiple logistic regression showed dissatisfaction with body image as the strongest independent risk factor for symptoms of anorexia nervosa (OR = 16.7; p < 0.001). Adolescents in Florianópolis show EAT+ rates similar to those observed in other regions of Brazil.

Evaluation of the Family Health Support Centers focusing on the integration to supported teams.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the Brazilian Family Health Support Centers focusing on the integration to supported teams. METHODS: This is an evaluation study in which we carried out a documentary analysis and modeling of the intervention focusing on the work integrated to the supported teams, which has allowed us to describe dimensions, objectives, and expected results. We defined the outcome indicators and their respective measures and sources of information. We used consensus techniques with key informants to validate the models and the matrix of indicators. RESULTS: The evaluation study was appropriate, and it allowed a better definition and knowledge about the intervention. CONCLUSIONS: There is coherence between the objectives of the Family Health Support Centers and their structure, although there are difficulties to operationalize them. We recommend a formative evaluation of the Family Health Support Centers focusing on the work integrated to the supported teams, seeking to strengthen them to achieve the expected results.

Estudo de avaliabilidade da segurança do paciente na Atenção Primária à Saúde / Patient safety assessment study in Primary Health Care

RESUMO A segurança do paciente na Atenção Primária à Saúde (APS) preocupa-se em reduzir erros e eventos adversos relacionados a assistência à saúde, porém há poucos estudos elaborados com aplicação de modelos avaliativos sobre a temática neste contexto. Este trabalho objetivou desenvolver e propor um modelo avaliativo da segurança do paciente na APS. Realizou-se um estudo de avaliabilidade por meio da análise documental, revisão de literatura, proposição dos modelos e validação dos modelos por meio da conferência de consenso. Idealmente, a teoria do programa, apresentada no Modelo Teórico, evidencia que os recursos, a cultura de segurança, os processos assistenciais e a educação permanente são componentes que viabilizam a implantação do programa, que precisam ser discutidos e aprimorados com envolvimento da gestão, dos profissionais e dos próprios pacientes/familiares e cuidadores, sendo, portanto, explorados no Modelo Lógico e assumidos como fundamentais para a oferta de cuidados mais seguros na APS quando interagem articuladamente. Na Matriz de Análise e Julgamento, esses quatro componentes assumem o mesmo peso no cálculo que determinará o grau de implantação da segurança do paciente na APS. A modelização apresentada pode ser utilizada por diversos atores, de diferentes contextos, para explorar e aprimorar a segurança do paciente na APS.

ABSTRACT Patient safety in Primary Health Care (PHC) is concerned with reducing errors and adverse events related to health care, but there are few studies developed with the application of evaluative models on the subject in this context. This study aimed to develop and propose an evaluation model of patient safety in PHC. An evaluability study was carried out through document analysis, literature review, proposition of models and validation of models through consensus conference. Ideally, the theory of the program, presented in the Theoretical Model, shows that resources, safety culture, care processes and permanent education are components that enable the implementation of the program, which need to be discussed and improved with the involvement of management, professionals and the patients/family members and caregivers themselves, being, therefore, explored in the Logical Model and assumed as fundamental for the provision of safer care in PHC when they interact articulately. In the Analysis and Judgment Matrix, these four components assume the same weight in the calculation that will determine the degree of implementation of patient safety in PHC. The modeling presented can be used by different actors, from different contexts, to explore and improve patient safety in PHC.

[Dialogues on the work process in oral health in Brazil: an analysis based on the PMAQ-AB survey]. / Diálogos sobre o processo de trabalho em saúde bucal no Brasil: uma análise com base no PMAQ-AB.

The study aimed to: (1) describe the work process in Brazil's oral health teams, based on the essential attributes of primary health care, according to geographic region, type of team, and the municipality's socioeconomic characteristics and (2) verify whether the data in the work process of the oral health teams in the Brazilian National Program to Improve Access and Quality in primary health (PMAQ-AB) were capable of measuring such attributes. This was a nationwide ecological study with data from cycle I of PMAQ-AB. The study included descriptive, exploratory factor, and confirmatory factor analyses (α = 5%). Constructs were analyzed in light of the essential attributes of primary health care (first contact, coordination of care, comprehensiveness, and continuity). The first three constructs and a fourth factor were formed, called dental prosthesis actions. However, the continuity attribute was not formed. The models' goodness-of-fit measures were satisfactory. Factor loads were greater than 0.5, except for the two variables in factor 3. The actions most frequently performed by the oral health teams (> 60%) were in first contact, and the least frequent were those in comprehensiveness, highlighting referrals to specialties (7.6%). There were differences in the work process in oral health teams between regions of the country, type of team, and certification strata (p < 0.05). In conclusion, data on the work process in oral health teams from cycle primary health care in the services' work routine. Further research is recommended on continuity of care. In addition, the oral health teams participating in cycle I of PMAQ-AB should make further progress in actions related to comprehensiveness and coordination of care.

Os objetivos do estudo foram: (1) descrever o processo de trabalho das equipes de saúde bucal (ESB) do Brasil, com base nos atributos essenciais da atenção primária à saúde, segundo regiões, tipo de equipe e características socioeconômicas dos municípios; e (2) verificar se os dados do processo de trabalho das ESB do Programa Nacional de Melhoria do Acesso e da Qualidade da Atenção Básica (PMAQ-AB) foram capazes de aferir tais atributos. Estudo ecológico, de abrangência nacional, com dados do ciclo I do PMAQ-AB. Foram feitas análises descritivas, fatoriais exploratória e confirmatória (α = 5%). Os construtos formados foram analisados à luz dos atributos essenciais da atenção primária à saúde (primeiro contato, coordenação do cuidado, integralidade e longitudinalidade). Formaram-se os três primeiros construtos e um quarto fator, denominado ações em prótese dentária. Porém, o atributo longitudinalidade não foi conformado. As medidas de ajuste dos modelos foram satisfatórias. As cargas fatoriais foram maiores que 0,5, exceto para duas variáveis do fator 3. As ações mais realizadas pelas ESB (> 60%) foram as do primeiro contato e as menos comuns foram as da integralidade, destacando-se ter referência para especialidades (7,6%). Houve diferenças no processo de trabalho das ESB entre as regiões, tipo de equipe e estrato de certificação (p < 0,05). Conclui-se que os dados de processo de trabalho das ESB do ciclo I do PMAQ-AB foram capazes de discriminar três dos quatro atributos essenciais da atenção primária à saúde na rotina dos serviços. Sugere-se aprofundar a avaliação da longitudinalidade. Ademais, as ESB participantes do ciclo I do PMAQ-AB precisam avançar nas ações relacionadas à integralidade e coordenação do cuidado.

Los objetivos de este trabajo fueron: (1) describir el proceso de trabajo de los equipos de salud bucal (ESB) en Brasil, conforme los atributos esenciales de la atención primaria a la salud, según regiones, tipo de equipo y características socioeconómicas de los municipios; además de (2) verificar si los datos del proceso de trabajo de las ESB en el Programa Nacional de Mejora del Acceso y Calidad de la Atención Básica (PMAQ-AB) fueron capaces de evaluar tales atributos. Es un estudio ecológico, de cobertura nacional, con datos del ciclo I del PMAQ-AB. Se realizaron análisis descriptivos, factoriales exploratorios y confirmatorios (α = 5%). Los constructos creados se analizaron a la luz de los atributos esenciales de la atención primaria a la salud (primer contacto, coordinación del cuidado, integralidad y longitudinalidad). Se generaron los tres primeros constructos, y un cuarto factor, denominado acciones en prótesis dental. No obstante, el atributo longitudinalidad no se configuró. Las medidas de ajuste de los modelos fueron satisfactorias. Las cargas factoriales fueron mayores que 0,5, excepto en dos variables del factor 3. Las acciones más realizadas por las ESB (> 60%) fueron las de primer contacto, y las menos comunes fueron las de integralidad, destacándose contar con referencias para especialidades (7,6%). Hubo diferencias en el proceso de trabajo de las ESB entre las regiones, tipo de equipo y extracto de certificación (p < 0,05). Se concluye que los datos del proceso de trabajo de las ESB del ciclo I del PMAQ-AB fueron capaces de discriminar tres de los cuatro atributos esenciales de la atención primaria a la salud en la rutina de los servicios. Se sugiere profundizar en la evaluación de la longitudinalidad. Además, las ESB participantes del ciclo I del PMAQ-AB necesitan avanzar en acciones relacionadas con la integralidad y coordinación del cuidado.

[Reproducibility and validity of a food consumption questionnaire for schoolchildren]. / Reprodutibilidade e validade de questionário de consumo alimentar para escolares.

The aim of the study was to assess the reproducibility and validity of the previous day food questionnaire (PDFQ) for schoolchildren. The questionnaire is illustrated with 21 foods and was designed for use at group level. The participants were 131 schoolchildren aged eight to ten years who were studying full-time in a public school in a city of Southern Brazil, in 2005. Reproducibility was assessed by applying the questionnaire twice on the same day. Validity was assessed by comparing the food items selected on the questionnaire and direct observations from three school meals on the previous day. The questionnaire presented high sensitivity, ranging from 73.4% (beans) to 95.5% (rice), and high specificity, ranging from 87.3% (fruits) to 98.8% (beans). It was concluded that the questionnaire was capable of generating reproducible and valid data for assessing the food intake of schoolchildren on the previous day.

[Standardization and reliability of anthropometric measurements for population surveys]. / Padronização e confiabilidade das medidas antropométricas para pesquisa populacional.

In this paper we describe the standardization and reliability of anthropometric measurements carried out by five population survey anthropometrists. For the standardization of anthropometric measurement techniques, one expert anthropometrist conducted two theoretical and practical workshops, in September 2006 and March 2007, where the intra- and interobserver technical errors of measurement (TEMs) were assessed, respectively. For the intraobserver assessment of anthropometric measurements, we studied 121 schoolchildren on two different days. For interobserver assessment, we studied 22 schoolchildren that were measured, during the same period, once by each of the five anthropometrists and by an expert anthropometrist. For skinfold thickness, intraobserver TEMs in general were smaller than 1 mm; for circumferences, TEMs in general were smaller than 1 cm. For the subscapular, suprailiac and calf skinfolds, the intraobserver relative TEMs were greater than the acceptable limit for beginner anthropometrists. Intraobserver reliability for skinfold thickness was greater than 0.95 and for circumferences was greater than 0.99 in almost all cases. The results of interobserver TEMs and reliability were similar to intraobserver assessment. The anthropometrists performed better in the intraobserver relative TEMs because their values were smaller than the acceptable limit. We conclude that the anthropometrists showed a better performance after two assessments of the error of measurement. This suggests that the standardization process of anthropometric measurements was carried out with success.

Evaluation of the performance of actions and outcomes in primary health care.

OBJECTIVE: The objective of this study has been to evaluate the performance of the primary care of Brazilian municipalities in relation to health actions and outcomes. METHODS: This is an evaluative, cross-sectional research, with a quantitative approach, aimed at the identification of the efficiency frontier of the primary care in health actions and outcomes in Brazilian municipalities. Secondary data have been collected from the Programa Nacional de Melhoria do Acesso e da Qualidade da Atenção Básica (National Program for Improving Access and Quality of Primary Care) and the Department of Informatics of the Brazilian Unified Health System, in 2012. The data envelopment analysis tool has been used for variable returns to scale with product orientation. RESULTS: Municipalities have been analyzed by population size, and small municipalities have presented a high percentage of inefficiency for both models. CONCLUSIONS: The analysis of efficiency has indicated the existence of a higher percentage of effective municipalities in the model of health actions than in the model of health outcomes.

OBJETIVO: Avaliar o desempenho da atenção básica dos municípios brasileiros quanto a ações e resultados em saúde. MÉTODOS: Pesquisa avaliativa, transversal, com abordagem quantitativa, para identificar a fronteira de eficiência da atenção básica em ações e resultados em saúde nos municípios brasileiros. Foi realizada coleta de dados secundários a partir do Programa Nacional de Melhoria do Acesso e da qualidade da Atenção Básica e do Departamento de Informática do Sistema Único de Saúde, no ano de 2012. Utilizou-se a ferramenta análise envoltória de dados para retornos variáveis de escala com orientação para produto. RESULTADOS: Os municípios foram analisados por porte populacional e verificou-se que para ambos os modelos, os municípios de pequeno porte apresentaram alto percentual de ineficiência. CONCLUSÕES: A análise da eficiência indicou a existência de um percentual maior de municípios eficientes no modelo de ações em saúde do que no modelo de resultados em saúde.

Oral condition and its relationship to nutritional status in the institutionalized elderly population.

The objective of this study was to identify the relationship between the oral condition and nutritional status of all institutionalized elderly people in Florianópolis, Brazil. Of the population of 232 institutionalized individuals, the sample consisted of 187 elderly people. In the oral evaluation, the criteria used was the number of functional units present in the oral cavity, classifying the participants as those with highly compromised dentition (48%) and those with less-compromised dentition (52%). Diagnosis of nutritional status was carried out according to body mass index, observing a prevalence of 14% thin, 45% eutrophic, 28% overweight, and 13% obese. Statistical analysis of the variables studied was carried out by means of chi(2) association tests. There was a statistically significant association between highly compromised dentition and thinness (P=0.007) and among those who presented less-compromised dentition and the nutritional status of overweight, including obesity (P=0.014). It was concluded that compromising of the teeth could contribute to a tendency toward inadequate nutritional status.