ABSTRACT
OBJECTIVE: To describe the process of shared development of a prostate cancer education booklet. METHODS: A participant observation study was performed with a convenience sample which initially included a group of 16 co-workers (15 men and one woman) to gather information for the development of educational material. The first draft was assessed by eight specialists (five specialists in early cancer detection, one specialist in urology, and two communication specialists) and by a different group of 21 co-workers from the same company (18 men and three women). The booklet addressed the risks and benefits of prostate cancer screening. RESULTS: The participants were not aware of the Brazilian Health Ministry recommendation against prostate cancer screening. The group discussed their doubts and perceptions regarding the theme. The final booklet, which became a publication by the José Alencar Gomes da Silva National Cancer Institute (INCA), was evaluated by participants and specialists. CONCLUSIONS: The participation of men in the development and assessment of the material confirmed the pressing need to disseminate information regarding the risks and potential damage associated with prostate cancer screening. Educational materials should not be treated as independent items, but rather as complementary resources to be used as part of shared, critical, and creative educational initiatives.
OBJETIVO: Describir el proceso de elaborar material educativo sobre el cáncer de próstata de manera compartida. MÉTODOS: Se realizó una investigación participativa con una muestra de conveniencia constituida, inicialmente, por un grupo de 15 hombres y una mujer (con una media de edad de 52 años), todos trabajadores de la misma empresa, con el fin de contribuir a la elaboración de material educativo. La evaluación de la primera versión estuvo a cargo de ocho especialistas (cinco en detección temprana del cáncer, uno en urología y dos en comunicación social) y de otro grupo de 21 participantes (18 hombres y tres mujeres con una media de edad de 41 años). En el material elaborado se abordaron los riesgos y beneficios del tamizaje del cáncer de próstata. RESULTADOS: Los participantes desconocían la recomendación dada por el Ministerio de Salud del Brasil contra el tamizaje del cáncer de próstata y hubo debate sobre dudas y percepciones relativas al tema. Los participantes y los especialistas evaluaron el producto final, que se convirtió en una publicación del Instituto Nacional del Cáncer José Alencar Gomes da Silva. CONCLUSIONES: La participación de los hombres en la elaboración y evaluación del material confirmó la imperiosa necesidad de difundir información sobre los riesgos y posibles perjuicios relacionados con el tamizaje de ese tipo de cáncer. El material educativo no debe verse como una obra aislada, sino como un recurso complementario para actividades educativas en salud de carácter participativo, crítico y creativo.
ABSTRACT
As national health systems seek to apply breast cancer screening recommendations to an entire population of women (within target age ranges for which there is evidence that screening reduces mortality), the volume of screening tests and resulting diagnostic investigations arising from abnormal test results-and the cost associated with them-will grow dramatically. Population-based early detection (screening) programs will need information systems and management tools to help these programs. This report describes Brazil's highly decentralized health care system and then describes in greater detail how the development and implementation of an information system for Brazil's nationwide breast cancer early detection program was carried out with input from various stakeholders. Challenges encountered in the implementation are shared. Preliminary findings from the first 1.5 million mammograms are presented to demonstrate the kind of provocative management information such a system can yield in a relatively short period of time. The potential of such information systems for improving efficiency, efficacy and cost-effectiveness of early detection programs is emphasized.
Subject(s)
Breast Neoplasms/diagnosis , Early Detection of Cancer/methods , Information Systems , Adult , Aged , Brazil , Female , Health Plan Implementation , Humans , Mammography , Middle Aged , National Health Programs , Software DesignABSTRACT
The training of professionals in the field of healthcare for the aged is one of the priorities of the national policy for the aged in Brazil due to the accelerated aging of the population. The Núcleo de Atenção ao Idoso (NAI), a unit of the Open University of the Third Age/UERJ (UNATI/UERJ) develops an educational program in this field, based on practical care delivery with emphasis to inter-disciplinarity and teamwork. The program includes different training levels and modalities: Residency, Specialization, Professional Practice and Graduation. The program includes an introductory course in gerontology and geriatrics common to all areas, and specific theoretical-practical qualification coordinated by the professional staff from the respective areas. The practical activities occur in different sceneries: long term care institutions, health promotion educational settings, outpatient facilities and the university hospital. Interdisciplinary thinking and acting is a continuous exercise, and the team should be open to innovative strategies. The experience is a contribution to the increasing social demand for qualified professionals committed with the principles of the Unified Health System and integrated health care.