[User satisfaction with telephonic consultations carried out during the COVID-19 pandemic.] / Evaluación de la satisfacción del paciente en la teleconsulta durante la pandemia por COVID-19.

OBJECTIVE: To face the COVID-19 pandemic, our intensive care and hospitalization units were expanded, surgical activity was limited to urgent and non-delayed procedures and teleconsultations were increased in order to minimize face-to-face consultations. The objective of this work was to learn users' satisfaction with teleconsultations performed during the pandemic as well as its benefits, applications and areas for improvement. METHODS: Cross-sectional study through a questionnaire with 26 closed questions and 5 open ones, grouped in 9 dimensions: patient characteristics; the query; treatment; utility; resolution; security; satisfaction; face-to-face modality and opportunities for improvement. Necessary sample size: 307 (confidence: 95%; error: 3%; expected satisfaction: 92%). Definitive sample: 352. Stratified random sampling by specialty. Period: March 16th-May 25th 2020. The statistical analysis was done with the statistical program SPSS vs.27.0. 95% confidence intervals were calculated.Statistical significance was established at p<0.05. RESULTS: Patient profile: age 54 (SD: 18.6) years; 213 (60.5%) women. Calls made by doctors (298; 84.7%) and nurses (15; 4.3%); 342 (97.2%) attended at home. Reasons: follow-up (223; 63.4%); first consultation (45; 12.8%); result's report (23; 6.5%) and manage an appointment (50; 14.2%). 29 (8.62%) were directed to another center. 335 (95.44%; 95% CI: 93.26%-97.62%) patients were satisfied and 309 (91.96%; 95% CI: 89.06%-94.87%) would recommend them. 351 (99.72%; 95% CI: 99.16%-99.99%) felt they were treated with kindness; 336 (95.96%; 95% CI: 93.81%-98.11%) considered sufficient care; 309 (95.96%; 95% CI: 93.81%-98.11%) were able to solve doubts; 311 (96.58%; 95% CI: 94.60%-98.57%) calmed down; for 245 (69.6%; 95% CI: 65.98%-74.67%) it was as useful as the face-to-face session; equally safe (240; 69.57%; 95% CI: 64.71%-74.42%) and beneficial (338; 96.02%; 95% CI: 94.25%-98.26%). CONCLUSIONS: The high satisfaction expressed by users, the benefits verified and the high resolution of the teleconsultations, makes us consider expanding these services after the pandemic.

OBJETIVO: Para afrontar la pandemia por COVID-19, ampliamos la unidad de cuidados intensivos y hospitalización, limitando la actividad quirúrgica a las urgentes y no-demorables, minimizando las consultas presenciales y aumentando las teleconsultas. El objetivo de este trabajo fue conocer la satisfacción de nuestros usuarios con las teleconsultas realizadas durante la pandemia, beneficios, aplicaciones y áreas de mejora. METODOS: Estudio transversal con un cuestionario con 26 preguntas cerradas y 5 abiertas, agrupadas en 9 dimensiones: características del paciente, la consulta, trato, utilidad, resolución, seguridad, satisfacción, modalidad presencial y oportunidades de mejora. Tamaño muestral necesario: 307 (confianza: 95%; error: 3%; satisfacción esperada: 92%). Muestra definitiva: 352. Muestreo aleatorio estratificado por especialidad, entre el 16 marzo a 25 mayo. El análisis estadístico se hizo con el programa estadístico SPSS vs. 27.0. Se calcularon los intervalos de confianza al 95%. La significación estadística se estableció en p<0,05. RESULTADOS: Perfil del paciente: edad 54,0 (SD: 18,6) años; 213 (60,5%) mujeres. Llamadas realizadas por médicos (298; 84,7%) y enfermeros (15; 4,3%); 342 (97,2%) atendidas en el hogar. Motivos: seguimiento (223; 63,4%); primera consulta (45; 12,8%); informar resultado (23; 6,5%) y gestionar cita (50; 14,2%). Fueron direccionados a otro centro 29 (8,62%). Estaban satisfechos 335 (95,44%; IC95%: 93,26%-97,62%) pacientes y 309 (91,96%; IC95%: 89,06%-94,87%) las recomendarían. Se sintieron tratados con amabilidad 351 (99,72%; IC95%: 99,16%-99,99%); 336 (95,96%; IC95%: 93,81%-98,11%) consideraron la atención suficiente; 309 (95,96%; IC95%: 93,81%-98,11%) pudieron resolver dudas; 311 (96,58%; IC95%: 94,60%-98,57%) se tranquilizaron; para 245 (69,6%; IC 95%: 65,98%-74,67%) fue tan útil como la presencial; igual de segura (240; 69,57%; IC95%: 64,71%-74,42%) y beneficiosa (338; 96,02%; IC 95%: 94,25%-98,26%). CONCLUSIONES: La alta satisfacción manifestada por los usuarios, los beneficios constatados y la gran resolución de las teleconsultas, nos hace plantearnos ampliar estos servicios tras la pandemia.

High Prevalence of Apical Periodontitis in Patients With Inflammatory Bowel Disease: An Age- and Gender- matched Case-control Study.

BACKGROUND: Deep carious lesions cause pulpitis, pulpal necrosis and, finally, apical periodontitis (AP). Root canal treatment (RCT) is the treatment of choice for AP, changing the tooth into a root-filled tooth (RFT). Several studies have linked AP and RFT to systemic diseases. Likewise, previous studies have also found an association among inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) and periodontal disease. This study aims to analyze the frequency of AP and RCT in IBD patients and healthy control subjects. METHODS: An age- and gender-matched case-control study design was used. The study group (SG) included 54 IBD patients (28 with Crohn´s disease, 26 with ulcerative colitis). Another 54 healthy subjects without IBD and age- and gender-matched were included in the control group (CG). The radiographic records were analyzed, and periapical radiolucencies were diagnosed as AP, using the periapical index (PAI). The statistical analysis was carried out using the Student t test, χ 2 test, and multivariate logistic regression. RESULTS: The presence of 1 or more teeth with radiolucent periapical lesions (RPLs) was found in 19 patients (35.2%) in the study group and in 9 subjects (16.7%) in the control group (P = 0.03). No differences were found among the 2 groups neither in the amount of teeth with AP nor in the number of RFTs (P > 0.05). However, multivariate logistic regression analysis adjusting for number of teeth and number of RFTs showed that patients with IBD have RPLs with higher likelihood than control patients (odds ratio, 5.7; confidence interval 95%, 1.7-19.1; P = 0.0048). CONCLUSIONS: Subjects with inflammatory bowel disease have higher prevalence of apical periodontitis. An oral health protocol should be established to address the higher prevalence of inflammatory oral processes.