Measuring moral distress in health professionals using the MMD-HP-SPA scale.

BACKGROUND: Moral distress (MD) is the psychological damage caused when people are forced to witness or carry out actions which go against their fundamental moral values. The main objective was to evaluate the prevalence and predictive factors associated with MD among health professionals during the pandemic and to determine its causes. METHODS: A regional, observational and cross-sectional study in a sample of 566 professionals from the Public Health Service of Andalusia (68.7% female; 66.9% physicians) who completed the MMD-HP-SPA scale to determine the level of MD (0-432 points). Five dimensions were used: i) Health care; ii) Therapeutic obstinacy-futility, iii) Interpersonal relations of the Healthcare Team, iv) External pressure; v) Covering up of medical malpractice. RESULTS: The mean level of MD was 127.3 (SD=66.7; 95% CI 121.8-132.8), being higher in female (135 vs. 110.3; p<0.01), in nursing professionals (137.8 vs. 122; p<0.01) and in the community setting (136.2 vs. 118.3; p<0.001), with these variables showing statistical significance in the multiple linear regression model (p<0.001; r2=0.052). With similar results, the multiple logistic regression model showed being female was a higher risk factor (OR=2.27; 95% CI 1.5-3.4; p<0.001). 70% of the sources of MD belonged to the dimension "Health Care" and the cause "Having to attend to more patients than I can safely attend to" obtained the highest average value (Mean=9.8; SD=4.9). CONCLUSIONS: Female, nursing professionals, and those from the community setting presented a higher risk of MD. The healthcare model needs to implement an ethical approach to public health issues to alleviate MD among its professionals.

Forensic age estimation: comparison and validation of the Iscan method in 3D reconstructions using a surface scanner in a Spanish population.

When investigating a death, post-mortem identification provides with results of great legal and humanitarian significance. The effectiveness of the methods used to estimate age depends on the reference population, considering variables such as sex and ancestry. The aim of this study was to validate the Iscan method to estimate age in a Spanish forensic population, comparing the estimates obtained in dry bones and 3D reconstructions created with a surface scanner. We carried out a cross-sectional study on 109 autopsied corpses (67% male), scanning the sternal end of the right fourth rib in a 3D mesh, using an EinScan-Pro® surface scanner (precision: 0.05 mm). Two observers estimated the phases in dry bones and 3D images according to the Iscan method and to the sex of the subject. The mean age was 57.73 years (SD = 19.12 years;18-93 years). The intra-observer agreement was almost perfect in bones (κ = 0.877-0.960) and 3D images (κ = 0.954), while the inter-observer agreement was almost perfect in bones (κ = 0.813) and substantial in 3D images (κ = 0.727). The correlation with the Iscan phases was very strong in bones (Rho = 0.794-0.820; p < 0.001) and strong in 3D images (Rho = 0.690-0.691; p < 0.001). Both sex-adjusted linear regression models were significant (dry bones: R2 = 0.65; SEE = ± 11.264 years; 3D images: R2 = 0.50; SEE = ± 13.537 years) from phase 4 onwards. An overestimation of age was observed in the first phases, and an underestimation in the later ones. Virtual analysis using a surface scanner in the fourth rib is a valid means of estimating age. However, the error values and confidence intervals were considerable, so the joint use of different methods and anatomical sites is recommended.

The role of undergraduate medical students training in respect for patient confidentiality.

BACKGROUND: Encouraging professional integrity is vital for providing a standard of excellence in quality medical care and education and in promoting a culture of respect and responsibility. The primary objective of this work consisted of studying the relationship of medical students to the right to patient privacy in Spain, specifically by analysing the conditions for accessing patient clinical histories (CHs). METHODS: A cross-sectional study was conducted based on a questionnaire sent by e-mail to final-year students at 41 Spanish universities. It had 14 multiple choice and closed questions framed in 3 large blocks. The first question addressed basic general knowledge issues on the right to privacy and the obligation for confidentiality. The two remaining blocks were made up of questions directed towards evaluating the frequency with which certain requirements and action steps related to students attending patients were performed and regarding the guarantees associated with accessing and handling patient CHs both on paper and in the Electronic Medical Record. RESULTS: A total of 245 valid replies were considered. A total of 67.8 % of participants were women, with an average age of 24.05 ± 3.49 years. Up to 90.6 % were aware that confidentiality affected the data in CHs, although 43.3 % possessed non-anonymized photocopies of patient clinical reports outside the healthcare context, and only 49.8 % of the students were always adequately identified. A total of 59.2 % accessed patient CHs on some occasions by using passwords belonging to healthcare professionals, 77.2 % of them did not have the patients' express consent, and 71.9 % accessed a CH that was not anonymised. CONCLUSIONS: The role of healthcare institutions and universities is considered to be fundamental in implementing educational measures regarding the risks and ethical and legal problems arising from the use of CHs among professionals and students. A thorough study of medical ethics is needed through the analysis of clinical cases and direct exposure to situations in which the patient's confidentiality is questioned.

Structural abnormalities in the human diaphragm in drowning and hanging deaths: preliminary results.

PURPOSE: Previous experiments in rats have indicated that there are histological changes in skeletal muscle in drowning deaths; these changes include muscle fibers that contain ragged red fibers (RRF). The purpose of this study was to examine whether these changes also occur in humans. METHODS: Histologic and histochemical examinations of three muscles (diaphragm, pectoralis, and psoas) were performed on 24 cadavers with three different causes of death: 8 drowning, 8 hanging, and 8 sudden cardiac disease. Muscle samples were stained with hematoxylin-eosin, MGT, nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide-tetrazolium reductase, succinate dehydrogenase, ATPase, and acid phosphatase via standard staining procedures. RESULTS: There were statistically significant differences in the detection of RRFs in these cohorts. Additionally, several other cytoarchitectural changes (whorled and core-like fibers) were observed in the diaphragm in the drowning cohort and to a lesser extent in the hangings. These structural abnormalities were not observed in the sudden cardiac disease deaths, thus suggesting a common mechanism for the production of these muscular changes that is not shared in the cardiac death group. The mechanism is most likely intense hypoxia and mechanical trauma of the respiratory muscles in the setting of active blood circulation with intense muscle contraction. CONCLUSIONS: Our results confirmed that there are histological changes in the diaphragm in drownings and, to a lesser extent, in hangings.

Assessment of Doctors' Knowledge and Attitudes Towards Confidentiality in Hospital Care.

The physician's duty of confidentiality is based on the observance of the patient's privacy and intimacy and on the importance of respecting both of these rights, thus creating a relationship of confidence and collaboration between doctor and patient. The main objective of this work consists of analyzing the aspects that are related to the confidentiality of patients' data with respect to the training, conduct and opinions of doctors from different Clinical Management Units of a third-level hospital via a questionnaire. The present study aimed to define the problem and determine whether the opinions of these professionals correspond to those observed in a previous work conducted at the same center. Of the 200 questionnaires that were collected, 62.5% were from consultants and the rest were from residents (37.5%) with an average of 14.4 ± 12.5 years in professional practice. The respondents noted habitual situations in which confidentiality was breached in the reference hospital (74%). The section on their attitudes and behaviors towards situations related to confidentiality showed a slightly lower average score than that of their medical knowledge; significant differences in these scores were observed between the consultants and residents as well as between the extreme age groups (≤ 30 vs. ≥ 51 years) and years of professional practice, thus more inadequate attitudes were consistently noted in younger doctors who had fewer years of experience. Finally, the respondents answered that the training of doctors in the aspects of healthcare law and ethics was the most important measure that the hospital could adopt regarding confidentiality practices.

Use of XRD and SEM/EDX to predict age and sex from fire-affected dental remains.

In fire scenarios, the application and accuracy of traditional odontological methods are often limited. Crystalline studies and elemental profiling have been evaluated for their applicability in determining biological profiles (age and sex) from human dentition, particularly fire- and heat-affected dental remains. Thirty-seven teeth were paired according to tooth type and donor age/sex for the analysis of crown and root surfaces pre- and post-incineration using X-ray diffraction (XRD) and scanning electron microscopy (SEM/EDX). In unburned crowns, carbon (C) content showed a positive correlation with age, whereas phosphorus (P) and calcium (Ca) contents showed a negative correlation with age. In unburned roots, C, P and Ca contents also showed significant changes that were opposite of those observed in the crowns. In relation to sex, females exhibited a higher C ratio than males, whereas males showed significantly higher levels of oxygen (O), P and Ca in unburned roots. Incineration resulted in an increase in the crystallite size that correlated with increasing temperature. No differences in hydroxyapatite (HA) crystallite size were found between age groups; however, unburned teeth from females exhibited a larger crystallite size than did those from males. The challenges of using XRD with a 3D sample were overcome to allow analysis of whole teeth in a nondestructive manner. Further studies may be useful in helping predict the temperature of a fire.

Confidentiality breaches in clinical practice: what happens in hospitals?

BACKGROUND: Respect for confidentiality is important to safeguard the well-being of patients and ensure the confidence of society in the doctor-patient relationship. The aim of our study is to examine real situations in which there has been a breach of confidentiality, by means of direct observation in clinical practice. METHODS: By means of direct observation, our study examines real situations in which there has been a breach of confidentiality in a tertiary hospital. To observe and collect data on these situations, we recruited students enrolled in the Medical Degree Program at the University of Cordoba. The observers recorded their entries on standardized templates during clinical internships in different departments: Internal Medicine; Gynecology and Obstetrics; Pediatrics; Emergency Medicine; General and Digestive Surgery; Maxillofacial Surgery; Plastic Surgery; Orthopedics and Traumatology; Digestive; Dermatology; Rheumatology; Mental Health; Nephrology; Pneumology; Neurology; and Ophthalmology. RESULTS: Following 7138 days and 33157 h of observation, we found an estimated Frequency Index of one breach per 62.5 h. As regards the typology of the observed breaches, the most frequent (54,6 %) were related to the consultation and/or disclosure of clinical and/or personal data to medical personnel not involved in the patient's clinical care, as well as people external to the hospital. As regards their severity, severe breaches were the most frequent, accounting for 46.7 % of all incidents. Most of the reported incidents were observed in public areas (37.9 %), such as corridors, elevators, the cafeteria, stairs, and locker rooms. CONCLUSIONS: In addition to aspects related to hospital organization or infrastructure, we have shown that all healthcare personnel are involved in confidentiality breaches, especially physicians. While most are committed unintentionally, a non-negligible number are severe, repeated breaches (9.5 %), thus suggesting a certain carelessness, perhaps through ignorance about certain behaviors that can jeopardize patient confidentiality.

Histological Changes in Skeletal Muscle During Death by Drowning: An Experimental Study.

A diagnosis of drowning is a challenge in legal medicine as there is generally a lack of pathognomonic findings indicative of drowning. This article investigates whether the skeletal muscle undergoes structural changes during death by drowning. Eighteen Wistar rats were divided into 3 equal groups according to the cause of death: drowning, exsanguination, and cervical dislocation. Immediately after death, samples of the masseter, sternohyoid, diaphragm, anterior tibial, soleus, and extensor digitorum longus muscles were obtained and examined by light and electron microscopy.In the drowning group, all muscles except the masseter displayed scattered evidence of fiber degeneration, and modified Gomori trichrome staining revealed structural changes in the form of abnormal clumps of red material and ragged red fibers. Under the electron microscope, there was myofibrillar disruption and large masses of abnormal mitochondria. In the exsanguination group, modified Gomori trichrome staining disclosed structural changes and mitochondrial abnormalities were apparent under light microscopy; however, there was no evidence of degeneration. No alterations were observed in the cervical dislocation group.As far as we know, this is the first time that these histological findings are described in death by drowning and are consistent with rhabdomyolysis and intense anoxia of skeletal muscle.

Cost-Effectiveness of Dexamethasone Intravitreal Implant in Naïve and Previously Treated Patients with Diabetic Macular Edema.

PURPOSE: To compare the direct costs associated with the dexamethasone intravitreal implant (DEX-i) in treatment-naïve and previously treated eyes with diabetic macular edema (DME) in a real clinical setting. METHODS: Retrospective and single-center study conducted in a real clinical scenario. Consecutive DME patients, either naïve or previously treated with vascular endothelial growth factor inhibitors (anti-VEGF), who received treatment with one or more DEX-i between May 2015 and December 2020, and who were followed-up for a minimum of 12 months, were included in the study. The cost analysis was performed from the perspective of the Andalusian Regional Healthcare Service. The primary effectiveness endpoint was the probability of achieving an improvement in best-corrected visual acuity (BCVA) ≥ 15 ETDRS letters after 1 year of treatment. The incremental cost-effectiveness ratio (ICER) of different improvements in BCVA was calculated. RESULTS: Forty-nine eyes, twenty-eight (57.1%) eyes from the treatment-naïve group and twenty-one (42.9%) from the previously treated group, were included in the analysis. The total cost of one year of treatment was significantly lower in the treatment-naïve eyes than in the previously treated eyes [Hodges-Lehmann median difference: EUR 819.1; 95% confidence interval (CI): EUR 786.9 to EUR 1572.8; p < 0.0001]. The probability of achieving a BCVA improvement of ≥15 letters at month 12 was significantly greater in the treatment-naïve group than in the previously treated group (rate difference: 0.321; 95% CI: 0.066 to 0.709; p = 0.0272). The Cochran-Mantel-Haenszel Odds Ratio of achieving a BCVA improvement of ≥15 letters at month 12 was 3.55 (95% CI: 1.09 to 11.58; p = 0.0309). In terms of ICER, the treatment-naïve group showed cost savings of EUR 7704.2 and EUR 5994.2 for achieving an improvement in BCVA ≥ 15 letters at month 12 and at any of the measured time points, respectively. CONCLUSIONS: DEX-i was found to be more cost-effective in treatment-naïve eyes than in those previously treated with anti-VEGF. Further studies are needed to determine the most cost-effective treatment based on patient profile.

[The importance of self-regulation: Analysis of the activity of the medical ethics and deontology commission in Cordoba]. / Importancia de la autorregulación: análisis de la actividad de la comisión de ética y deontología médica en Córdoba.

OBJECTIVE: to analyse the activity of the Medical Ethics and Deontology Commission (MEDC) of the College of Physicians of Cordoba regarding conflictive situations in the profession from 2013 through 2021. MATERIAL AND METHODS: cross-sectional observational study, in which 83 cases of complaints submitted to the College were collected. RESULTS: the incidence was 2.6 complaints‰ members/year, with a total of 92 doctors reported. 61.4% were submitted by the patient, 92.8% of which were addressed to a single doctor. 30.1% were in the speciality of family medicine, 50.6% in the public sector and 72% in outpatient care. In 37.7% the chapter of the Code of Medical Ethics concerned was chapter IV (quality of medical care). In 89.2% of cases the parties came to make a statement, with a higher risk of disciplinary proceedings being observed when the statement was both, oral and written (OR:4.61; p=0.026). The median resolution time was 63 days, significantly longer in cases proposed for disciplinary proceedings (146 days vs. 58.50 days; OR:1.01; p=0.008). The MEDC found 15.7% (n=13) to be in breach of ethics, with 15 doctors being disciplined (16.3%) and 4 sanctioned (26.7%) with a warning and temporary suspension from practice. CONCLUSIONS: The role of the MEDC is fundamental in the self-regulation of professional practice. Inappropriate behaviour during patient care or between colleagues has serious ethical implications, disciplinary repercussions for the physician, and it particularly undermines patients' trust in the medical profession.

Relationship between Child Abuse and Delinquent Behavior in Male Adolescents Deprived of Liberty.

The objective is to identify the prevalence of child abuse and criminal behavior among young male prisoners in Ecuador. METHOD: A total of 425 young people between 12 and 18 years of age, deprived of liberty from different centers for adolescent offenders in Ecuador, were used. The level of abuse to which they had been subjected in childhood was evaluated, as well as the risk factors present in their history. The relationship between abuse, risk factors, and criminal behavior was analyzed. RESULTS: A high prevalence of the different types of abuse was found in the mean age of 15.03 years standard deviation (SD = 1.34). CONCLUSION: In addition, a relationship was discovered between the abuse suffered during childhood and the risk factors present in criminal behavior during adolescence, which was demonstrated in this article. The practical implications of these results are discussed, taking into consideration their relevance for prevention.

Epidemiology and autopsy findings of 500 drowning deaths.

INTRODUCTION: Drowning is a significant public health problem worldwide and the WHO reported that drowning is the world's third leading unintentional injury death. Nevertheless, there is still uncertainty regarding the estimate of local and global drowning deaths. In addition, the postmortem diagnosis of drowning is challenging and the physiological mechanisms of death by drowning are complex and not very well understood. PURPOSE: To analyze a large series of bodies retrieved from the water in Connecticut (U.S.) in order to compare epidemiologic and toxicological data with those of the literature, as well as to examine the weights of the lungs and brains in drowning deaths. MATERIAL AND METHOD: We conducted a descriptive, retrospective, population-based analysis of all bodies retrieved from the water and subjected to a forensic autopsy at the Office of the Chief Medical Examiner in Connecticut (2008-2020, n = 500). Variables collected were sex, age, date of death, location of drowning, season, type of water, cause of death, manner of death, circumstances of death, signs of decomposition, BMI, brain weight, lung weight, presence of pulmonary edema, stomach contents, and toxicological analysis. RESULTS: The death rates of drownings in Connecticut ranges from 0.75 to 1.28/100,000/year. They occurred predominantly in males (73.4%) and most were accidents (75.6%), though this gender difference diminishes in suicides (55.4% of males). Sex distribution is also different in bathtub drownings, where women drown more frequently (67.3%). Weights of the brains (p = 0.013) and lungs (p < 0.001) were higher in saltwater drownings. CONCLUSIONS: Drowning is more frequently an accident involving men, except for suicides where there is only a slight difference among sex. Heavy lungs and cerebral edema continue to be identified in numerous drowning deaths. These anatomic findings, however, must still be interpreted in the context of the entire case investigation. Weights of the brains and lungs are higher in salt water, although these organs' weights are mostly dependent on other variables such as BMI and decomposition.

Study of the Psychometric Properties of the Spanish Version of the Measure of Moral Distress for Health Care Professionals (MMD-HP-SPA).

BACKGROUND: The early detection of moral distress requires a validated and reliable instrument. The aim of this study was to carry out an advanced analysis of the psychometric properties of the moral distress scale for health professionals (MMD-HP-SPA) by performing a validation of the construct and its internal and external reliability. METHODS: We performed a multicentre cross-sectional study in health professionals belonging to the Andalusian public health system. Construct validity was performed by exploratory (n = 300) and confirmatory (n = 275) factor analysis (EFA/CFA) in different subgroups; we also analysed the internal consistency and temporal reliability of the scale. RESULTS: 384 doctors and 191 nurses took part in the survey. The overall mean for moral distress was 128.5 (SD = 70.9), 95% CI [122.7-134.3], and it was higher in nurses at 140.5 (SD = 74.9) than in doctors at 122.5 (SD = 68.1), F = 8.37 p < 0.01. The EFA produced a model of five components which accounted for 54.8% of the variance of the model. The CFA achieved a goodness of fit of Chi2 = 972.4; AIC = 1144.3; RMSEA = 0.086; CFI = 0.844; TLI = 0.828; NFI = 0.785. CONCLUSIONS: The MMD-HP-SPA scale has solid construct validity, excellent internal consistency, optimal temporal reliability, and underlying dimensions which effectively explore the causes of moral distress in health professionals, thus guaranteeing its use in hospital and community settings.

Impact of the COVID-19 Pandemic on Palliative Care in Cancer Patients in Spain.

BACKGROUND: The COVID-19 pandemic outbreak has severely affected healthcare organizations worldwide, and the provision of palliative care (PC) to cancer patients has been no exception. The aim of this paper was to analyse the levels of health care provided by the Clinical Management Unit for PC in Córdoba (Spain) for cancer patients. METHOD: a retrospective cohort study was conducted. It analyzed the PC internal management database including all cancer patients treated in the period of 2018-2021. RESULTS: 1967 cases were studied. There was a drop in cancer cases (p = 0.008), deaths at the PC hospital (p < 0.001), and referrals from primary care (p < 0.001). However, there was a rise in highly complex clinical situations (p = 0.020) and in ECOG performance status scores of 3-4 (p < 0.001). The pandemic was not shown to be a risk factor for survival in the PC program (0.99 [0.82-1.20]; p = 0.931). However, being female (p = 0.005), being older and having a high Karnofsky Performance Status (KPS) score (p < 0.001) could be indicators of a longer stay. CONCLUSION: The COVID-19 pandemic has presented a challenge in the management of patients requiring PC and has highlighted the urgent needs of the healthcare system if it is to continue providing a level of care which meets the needs of patients and their families.

Intravitreal dexamethasone implant in naïve and previously treated patients with diabetic macular edema: a retrospective study.

AIM: To assess the effect of the intravitreal dexamethasone implant (DEX) Ozurdex on the best corrected visual acuity (BCVA) and central retinal thickness (CRT) in patients with diabetic macular edema (DME). METHODS: Totally 43 eyes (24 naïve and 19 previously treated) were included in the study. Retrospective and single-center study involved patients with a clinical diagnosed of DME, who received treatment with DEX implant and had a follow-up of at least 12mo. Primary endpoints included changes in BCVA and CRT. RESULTS: At month 12, mean improvement in BCVA from baseline was 20.4±20.8 letters and 6.8±6.9 letters in naïve and previously treated patients, respectively (P=0.0132). The naïve patients achieved the BCVA improvement significantly faster (2.4±1.5mo) than the previously treated ones (3.5±2.4mo, P=0.0298; Mann-Whitney test). The proportion of eyes gaining ≥15 letters was 54.2% and 21.1% in the non-previously treated and previously treated groups, respectively (P=0.0293). CRT was significantly reduced from 484.0±119.8 and 487.5±159.9 µm to 272.0±39.2 and 233.5±65.7 µm in the naïve and previously treated patients, respectively; P<0.0001 each, respectively. The presence of subretinal fluid was significantly associated with the proportion of patients achieving a BCVA improvement ≥5 letters [HR (95%CI), 1.23 (1.04 to 1.45), P=0.0145]; ≥10 letters [HR (95%CI), 1.75 (1.10 to 2.77), P=0.0182]; and ≥15 letters [HR (95% CI), 2.04 (1.03 to 4.02), P=0.0407]. Naïve patients received less DEX implants throughout the study than the previously treated ones (1.8±0.6 vs 2.3±0.6, P=0.0172, respectively). Totally 9 patients (20.9%) have developed ocular hypertension, which was successfully controlled with topical hypotensive drugs. Of the 23 phakic eyes at baseline, 5 eyes (21.7%) either had new onset lens opacity or progression of an existing opacity during the study follow-up. Four of them (2 in the naïve group and 2 in the previously treated one) required cataract surgery at months 4, 6, 6, and 6, respectively. CONCLUSION: The results obtained in this study may support the early use of DEX Ozurdex as first line therapy in naïve patients.

[Factors related to refuse antiretroviral therapy in prison]. / Factores relacionados con rehusar el tratamiento antirretroviral en prisión.

INTRODUCTION: Despite the benefits of highly-active antiretroviral therapy (HAART) on morbidity and mortality, some seropositive patients refuse to accept this treatment. Prisons provide easier access to this population. OBJECTIVE: To determine the psychosocial characteristics of prisoners who refuse HAART. METHODS: We performed a cross-sectional study in 580 seropositive prisoners in 3 hospitals in Andalusia (Spain). The dependent variable was being under treatment or refusal to be so. The independent variables were sociodemographic and psychosocial factors related to the prison environment and clinical factors related to health status and drug addiction. A logistic regression analysis was performed to determine which factors were related with refusal to accept HAART. RESULTS: HAART was recommended to 73.1% of seropositive prisoners. This treatment was refused by 23.1% of these prisoners and was accepted by 76.9%. The factors related to refusal to accept HAART were high viral load, worse self-perceived health status, a greater number of stays in prison, and being visited by persons other than relatives. CONCLUSIONS: There is a group of prisoners with specific characteristics that refuse HAART. Specific interventions should be performed in these prisoners to make them aware of the effects of their decision on the course of their disease.

Importancia de la autorregulación: análisis de la actividad de la comisión de ética y deontología médica en Córdoba / The importance of self-regulation: Analysis of the activity of the medical ethics and deontology commission in Cordoba

Objetivo: analizar la actividad de la Comisión de Ética y Deontología Médica (CEDM) del Colegio Ofi-cial de Médicos de Córdoba, respecto a situaciones conflictivas en la profesión en el período 2013-2021.Material y métodos: estudio observacional transversal, en el que finalmente se recogieron 83 casos de re-clamaciones presentadas ante el Colegio. Resultados: la incidencia fue de 2,6 reclamaciones‰ colegiados/año, con un total de 92 médicos denunciados. El 61,4% fueron presentadas por el paciente, dirigidas en un92,8% a un solo médico. El 30,1% fue en la especialidad de medicina de familia, siendo el 50,6% en el ám-bito público y el 72% en asistencia ambulatoria. En el 37,7% el capítulo del Código de Deontología Médicaafectado fue el IV (calidad de la atención médica). En el 89,2% las partes acudieron a declarar, observán-dose mayor riesgo de expediente disciplinario cuando la declaración era oral y escrita (OR:4,61; p=0,026).La mediana de los plazos de resolución fue de 63 días, significativamente mayores en los casos propuestospara expediente disciplinario (146 días vs. 58,50 días; OR:1,01; p=0,008). La CEDM dictaminó infraccióndeontológica en el 15,7% (n=13), siendo expedientados 15 médicos (16,3%) y 4 sancionados (26,7%) me-diante apercibimiento y suspensión temporal del ejercicio. Conclusiones: La función de la CEDM resultafundamental en la autorregulación del ejercicio profesional. Los comportamientos inapropiados durantela asistencia al paciente o entre compañeros, conllevan graves implicaciones éticas, repercusiones discipli-narias para el médico, y especialmente, socavan la confianza de los pacientes en la profesión médica.(AU)

Objective: to analyse the activity of the Medical Ethics and Deontology Commission (MEDC) of the Co-llege of Physicians of Cordoba regarding conflictive situations in the profession from 2013 through 2021.Material and methods: cross-sectional observational study, in which 83 cases of complaints submitted tothe College were collected. Results: the incidence was 2.6 complaints‰ members/year, with a total of 92doctors reported. 61.4% were submitted by the patient, 92.8% of which were addressed to a single doctor.30.1% were in the speciality of family medicine, 50.6% in the public sector and 72% in outpatient care.In 37.7% the chapter of the Code of Medical Ethics concerned was chapter IV (quality of medical care).In 89.2% of cases the parties came to make a statement, with a higher risk of disciplinary proceedingsbeing observed when the statement was both, oral and written (OR:4.61; p=0.026). The median resolutiontime was 63 days, significantly longer in cases proposed for disciplinary proceedings (146 days vs. 58.50days; OR:1.01; p=0.008). The MEDC found 15.7% (n=13) to be in breach of ethics, with 15 doctors beingdisciplined (16.3%) and 4 sanctioned (26.7%) with a warning and temporary suspension from practice.Conclusions: The role of the MEDC is fundamental in the self-regulation of professional practice. Inappro-priate behaviour during patient care or between colleagues has serious ethical implications, disciplinaryrepercussions for the physician, and it particularly undermines patients’ trust in the medical profession.(AU)

[Doctor-Patient Relationship from the Perspective of Medical Students' Portfolio]. / La Relación Médico-Paciente Analizada por Estudiantes de Medicina desde la Perspectiva del Portafolio.

Doctor-patient relationship is of paramount importance for a good medical practice, however as long as medicine has been increasingly influenced by technology and science, it may be at risk of losing contact with basic human values of respect for the beliefs and preferences of the other person. In this study, we have analyzed the deontological vision of the physician-patient relationship perceived through clinical situations reflected in the portfolios carried out by 225 students of the 5th year of the Degree of Medicine at the University of Córdoba, during the courses 2014/15 and 2015/16. 201 out of 833 deontological considerations on articles of the Code of Medical Ethics constitute non-compliances. It is noteworthy that these breaches to the Code of Medical Ethics considered refer mainly (73%) to Chapter III (doctor-patient relationship). It is particularly interesting that the problems most frequently detected are those related to attitude, forms or language and lack of understanding/confidence of the physician with the patient (article 8 with 46 noncompliances), as well as problems in providing information (articles 12.1 and 15, with 18 and 42 noncompliances respectively).

La relación médico-paciente analizada por estudiantes de medicina desde la perspectiva del portafolio / Doctor-patient relationship form the perspective of medical students' portfolio

La relación médico-paciente es un pilar fundamental para la buena práctica de la medicina, aunque en la medida en que esta se ha visto cada vez más influenciada por la tecnología y la ciencia, puede estar en riesgo de perder el contacto con valores humanos básicos de respeto por las creencias y preferencias de la otra persona. En este trabajo de investigación, hemos analizado la visión deontológica de la relación médico-paciente percibida a través de las situaciones clínicas plasmadas en los portafolios realizados por 225 estudiantes del 5º curso del Grado de Medicina de la Universidad de Córdoba, durante los cursos 2014/15 y 2015/16. De las 833 consideraciones deontológicas sobre artículos del Código de Deontología Médica, 2011 constituyen incumplimientos. Llama la atención que estas faltas al Código de Deontología Médica consideradas, se refieren mayoritariamente (73%) al Capítulo III (Relaciones del médico con sus pacientes), y particularmente los problemas detectados con más frecuencia son los relacionados con la actitud, formas o lenguaje y falta de entendimiento/confianza del médico con el paciente (art. 8 con 46 incumplimientos), así como los problemas al proporcionar la información (arts. 12.1 y 15, con 18 y 42 incumplimientos respectivamente)

Doctor-patient relationship is of paramount importance for a good medical practice, however as long as medicine has been increasingly influenced by technology and science, it may be at risk of losing contact with basic human values of respect for the beliefs and preferences of the other person. In this study, we have analyzed the deontological vision of the physician-patient relationship perceived through clinical situations reflected in the portfolios carried out by 225 students of the 5th year of the Degree of Medicine at the University of Córdoba, during the courses 2014/15 and 2015/16. 201 out of 833 deontological considerations on articles of the Code of Medical Ethics constitute non-compliances. It is noteworthy that these breaches to the Code of Medical Ethics considered refer mainly (73%) to Chapter III (doctor-patient relationship). It is particularly interesting that the problems most frequently detected are those related to attitude, forms or language and lack of understanding/confidence of the physician with the patient (article 8 with 46 noncompliances), as well as problems in providing information (articles 12.1 and 15, with 18 and 42 noncompliances respectively)