Is the gender or age of the physician key to a good physician-patient with inflammatory bowel disease relationship?

BACKGROUND AND AIMS: A good patient-physician relationship in inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) is very important and physician empathy is its cornerstone. There is no evidence about if age and/or sex of physicians and patients could influence on perceived empathy by patients. The aim of the study was to assess the level of empathy of IBD specialist physicians perceived by their patients and if it varies according to the age and gender of the patient and the physician. METHODS: We performed a national cross-sectional study based on voluntary online survey to IBD patients that included the Consultation and Relational Empathy (CARE) scale. RESULTS: Five hundred sixty one responses to the survey were received. After applying exclusion criteria, 536 patients were included in the analysis. Total median score of CARE scale was 44.5 (maximum possible score: 50 points). Most of the patients (99.1%) considered the contents of the questionnaire to be an important issue. There were no significant differences in CARE scale scores in function of patient/physician age range or gender [physician gender: males vs. females: median 46 vs. 44, p=0.139; physician age: <40 years, 40-60 years, >60 years: 45.5 vs. 44 vs. 44, p=0.328]. CONCLUSION: Spanish inflammatory bowel disease patients have a great physician empathy perception, which is the key to a good patient-physician relationship, and this fact is not influenced by age or gender of patients or inflammatory bowel disease specialist.

[Design and validation of the ACPAPS questionnaire to assess person-centred care by the family doctor]. / Diseño y validación del cuestionario ACPAPS para valorar la atención centrada en la persona por el médico de familia.

OBJECTIVES: Design, construction and validation of a self-completion test that allows the Family Physician (FP) to assess the extent to which he/she integrates person-centred care (PCC) in his/her clinical practice. DESIGN: Qualitative. Questionnaire design. LOCATION: Primary care. PARTICIPANTS: Two hundred and fourteen family and community medicine physicians and residents, from 62 of the 80 health centres in the autonomous community of Murcia (Spain). METHODS: Construction of a questionnaire from a bank of 873 items from a systematic review and a Delphi study. Review by PCC panel of experts (8). Cognitive pretest with 10 FP. Doctors from 62 health centres were invited to participate. With the responses we measured reliability, validity and feasibility. RESULTS: The final questionnaire contains 37 items. We measured reliability through internal consistency with a Cronbach's alpha of .915. For construct validity, the appropriate Bartlett's test of sphericity and the Kaiser-Mayer-Olkin measure of .889 allowed us to carry out a factor analysis with the extraction of nine factors (Kaiser's rule) with five main factors (Scree test) whose items coincide with the dimensions proposed by the experts. To assess its feasibility we considered the response rate of 31.15%, the response time of 17minutes 23seconds and only .9% of respondents considered the questionnaire long or complex. CONCLUSIONS: The ACPAPS questionnaire is a reliable, valid and feasible tool to assess PCC in FM, which has multiple and far-reaching applications.

Medicine and the metaverse: current applications and future.

Innovative technologies such as the metaverse and chat GPT-4 (based on artificial intelligence) are present in the daily discourse of society; recently, they have been introduced into medical practice and are bringing about important changes. In the case of the metaverse ("beyond the universe"), various medical schools and departments around the world are beginning to use it as an innovative strategy for teaching subjects such as anatomy, histology, ophthalmology, and simulation in parallel (virtual) worlds for learning and supervision of surgeries, as well as for other applications in medical education and in the doctor-patient relationship. Although it should be regarded as an area of opportunity for the transformation of medicine, it is important to consider the various limitations and risks of the metaverse in medical practice, student training, and physicians' relationship with the health problems they have to deal with in their practice.

Las innovadoras tecnologías del metaverso y el chat GPT4 (basado en inteligencia artificial) están presentes en el discurso cotidiano de la sociedad; recientemente se han introducido en la práctica médica y están provocando importantes cambios. En cuanto al metaverso ("después del universo"), diversas escuelas y facultades de medicina del mundo comienzan a utilizarlo como una estrategia innovadora dirigida a la enseñanza de materias como anatomía, histología, oftalmología y simulación en mundos paralelos (virtuales) para el aprendizaje y supervisión de cirugías, así como para otras aplicaciones en educación médica y en la relación médico-paciente. Si bien debe tomarse en cuenta como un área de oportunidad para la transformación de la medicina, es importante considerar las diversas limitaciones y riesgos del metaverso en la práctica médica, la formación de estudiantes y la relación del médico con los problemas de salud a los que se enfrenta en su práctica.

General Practice/Family Medicine Portuguese doctors: "technicists" or "systemics"?

To study if the consultation's problems classification of a fictitious case by General and Family Medicine doctors, showed the characteristics of being a mechanistic or a systemic approach. Exploratory cross-sectional observational study in a convenience sample of the General Practice/Family Medicine population, internees included, in April 2020, applying a modified real world clinical case. Central Portugal and the Autonomous Region of Azores. General Practice/Family Medicine specialists and internees. Electronic Doctors invitation to participate, anonymously, in specific doctor's social networks. A self-fulfilling questionnaire was used to verify the classification of a clinical case in Subjective, Assessment and Plan (from the SOAP methodology) with the response options of the International Classification of Primary Health Care (ICPC2) in chapters P (Psychological) and Z (Social) possible for this case. "Technicists" doctors, only classifying "P" codes and "Systemics" classifying "P+Z" or only "Z" ICPC2 codes were defined. Differences between genders, work place, being an internee or specialist and being a tutor in specialized formation were studied. A sample of 227 30% (n=68) males, specialists represented 66% (n=149), of whom 49% (n=73) were internee's tutors and 34% (n=78) were internees, was studied. In the Subjective chapter of the SOAP methodology, 44.1% (n=100) were "technicists", for Assessment n=93 (40.8%) were "technicists" and for P chapter classification 56.8% were "technicists". For S, A and P chapters classification there was no significant difference between the considered variables. In this sample General Practice/Family Medicine Portuguese doctors were more "systemic" for the S and A chapters of the SOAP model, And "technicists" in the P chapter.

[]"Sacred encounters" in primary care: What do they mean for family physicians?] / «Consultas sagradas¼ en atención primaria: ¿qué suponen para el personal médico?

OBJECTIVE: To determine the perceptions and attitudes of the general practitioners (GP) towards consultations with great emotional component, initially called "sacred encounters", and to identify areas of improvement. DESIGN: A qualitative methodology based on a socio-subjective approach and focused on health services research. Descriptive-interpretative study. LOCATION: Health Centres of Alava and Biscay. PARTICIPANTS: Selection of 23 GP from 23 urban and rural Health Centres. METHOD: Intentional sampling aimed at looking for discursive diversity. Data generated in 2016 by means of 3 discussion groups and 3 individual interviews recorded and transcribed after informed consent. Presentation to the ethics committee of the Basque Country. Thematic analysis with the aid of conceptual maps and MaxQDA program. Triangulation of the results between researchers and verification by the participants. RESULTS AND DISCUSSION: The findings were clustered into overlapping thematic areas related to the meaning of these encounters, attitudes of GP, health context, and patients. The importance of the emotions in primary care encounters and their invisibility is underlined, but the adequacy of the term "sacred" is questioned. This expression is built into the GP-patient relationship, if GP favours it and the patient also allows it, discussing the main circumstances that intervene in an essential dimension of integral care. CONCLUSIONS: The attention to the emotional dimension in the encounters has deficiencies that need to be corrected. In addition to its recognition and evaluation, it would be necessary to modify the organisational, training and professional factors that determine the involvement of the GPs in their good health care.

[The medical empathy, is it born or is it made? Evolution of the empathy in medical students]. / La empatía médica, ¿nace o se hace? Evolución de la empatía en estudiantes de medicina.

OBJECTIVE: Empathy is one of the basic skills in medicine that promotes better doctor-patient relationship, best professional competition and less professional stress. We don't found studies in our area. This study aims to measure the degree of empathy in medical students in our area and associated factors. DESIGN: Cross-sectional study. LOCATION: Faculty of Medicine, University of Lleida (Spain). PARTICIPANTS: Pass in class of 1st, 3rd and second cycle of Medicine, at 191 students. 173 students (90%) completed the questionnaire. MAIN MEASUREMENTS: TECA questionnaire to measure general empathy with 4 subscales (empathic understanding, perspective taking, empathic happiness and empathic stress), and a sociodemographic questionnaire. RESULTS: We found a progression in empathy during medical courses. Women have greater empathy but also increased empathic stress. Men have less general empathy, less progression of empathy and less emphatic stress. Students that show a preference to House TV movie have less empathy and those with family doctors. Voluntary students have greater empathy and those who have had a sick friend. We don't have found relationship between empathy and preferred specialty. CONCLUSIONS: There are several variables that are related to empathy in medical students: Women, advanced courses, experiences close to serious illnesses and those involved in voluntary activities.

[Theory of action on patient relationships. A different way of representing and understanding the behaviour of the family doctor in the clinic]. / Teoría en la acción sobre la relación con el paciente. Una perspectiva diferente de representar y entender el comportamiento del médico de familia en la consulta.

OBJECTIVE: To identify the «theory in the action¼, according to the concept of Argyris and Schon, in a group of Family Doctors and to examine whether this «theory¼ seems to be a valid representation of their behaviour, as well as a comparison with results of other studies. DESIGN: Descriptive, cross-sectional study. SETTING: Primary Care. PARTICIPANTS: Ten Family Doctors with a minimum of 10 years experience in Health Centres of a city and its surrounding area. METHOD: Intentional sampling was used to select the participants, according to age, sex, characteristics of the Health Centre, and style of practice style. Data was collected from recordings and transcription of self-recordings, as well as from observations in the consulting room. Inductive formulation and grouping of the propositions was performed from the identification of the behaviours in the consulting room and as well as their context following the proposals of Argyris and Schon. A comparison was also made of the propositions of the participants of this study and with those in the literature. RESULTS AND DISCUSSION: The 84 propositions from the interviews were grouped into 9 topical categories, which in order of weight were: confidence / interest, prescribing medications, subjective dimension, direction, negotiation, distance, and information. The propositions of the first two topics are basically similar, while differences appear in the «theory in action¼ of various doctors. The propositions were comparable with the results of other studies. CONCLUSION: It is possible to formulate the theory in action of Family Doctors that appears to be an overall and coherent representation of their behaviour in the consulting room.

How to improve adherence the captors of phosphorus on hemodialysis: Experience in real life with sucroferric oxyhydroxide.

INTRODUCTION: The lack of adherence to phosphate -binders (PB) is the most important factor in not achieving the objectives of serum phosphorus (sP). Studies in the real-world population are needed to understand the influence of PBs on adherence and how to modify it. METHODS: Prospective study conducted during 3 months in usual clinical practice. Out of 105 hemodialysis patients, 57 were switched to SFOH and 48 maintained their baseline treatment (control group). sP levels and the percentage of patients with sP levels <5mg/dl were compared. Adherence before and after introduction of SFOH, number of pills of PB, preferences in the administration mode and side effects were analyzed. RESULTS: The percentage of patients with controlled sP (<5mg/dl) increased significantly in the SFOH users' group (62.1-92.9%, p<0.001), but not in the control group (83-83.3%, p=NS). The average of daily tablets decreased significantly in the SFOH group (7.2-2.3 comp, p<0.001), but not in the control group (5.6-5.6, p=NS) and 100% of the patients used only one PB in SFOH group. The use of SFOH increased the adherence according to the SMAQ questionnaire (57.8-84.3%; OR 13.1, p<0.001). The possibility to choose the preferred mode of administration (split-swallowing 89% compared to chewing 11%), improved the acceptance (44.7-78%). 14% of the patients experienced side effects and in 5.2% SFOH was discontinued for this reason. CONCLUSIONS: SFOH controlled serum sP in 93% of patients, 100% in monotherapy, and with fewer tablets. The exploration and adaptation of preferences in the mode of administration influenced the acceptance of the drug by the patient and, probably, the future adherence.

El embarazo en adolescentes a través del séptimo arte / Pregnancy in teenagers through the seventh art

Los embarazos en adolescentes se describen como embarazos en mujeres que no han alcanzado la mayoría de edad jurídica y están en situación de dependencia de la familia de origen. El embarazo suele implicar un riesgo en la trayectoria vital de las madres y padres adolescentes y un serio y prevalente problema médico-social. Por todo ello, el embarazo de la adolescente se convierte en una consulta «sagrada». Y el cine se convierte en una oportunidad para hablar con arte, ciencia y conciencia de un tema de trascendental importancia, así como una oportunidad para mejorar la relación profesional-paciente, para mejorar la humanización y para abrir el debate bioético. En este artículo os invitamos a vivir las emociones y reflexiones de la maternidad y el embarazo en alrededor de 40 películas, historias entre la ficción y la realidad. Y donde nos atrevemos a «prescribir» las siguientes: la película británica Un sabor a miel, la belga 9 meses, la estadounidense Nunca, casi nunca, a veces, siempre, la francesa El acontecimiento y la española La maternal; y como guinda, Juno, una película que más en tono de comedia que drama, capaz de incomodar a todas las partes.(AU)

Adolescent pregnancies encompass instances where women have not yet attained the legal age of majority and remain reliant on their family of origin. The phase of pregnancy during adolescence inherently introduces risks into the trajectories of both young mothers and fathers, forming a significant and widespread medical-social challenge. Consequently, an adolescent's pregnancy becomes a pivotal juncture for medical consultation, while cinema emerges as an influential platform to engage with this crucial theme from artistic, scientific, and awareness-driven perspectives. It not only fosters an opportunity to enrich the professional-patient relationship and advance humanization but also initiates profound discussions on bioethics. Within the confines of this article, we cordially invite you to delve into the emotional and contemplative dimensions of motherhood and pregnancy portrayed across nearly 40 films, each straddling the realms of fiction and reality. Moreover, we dare to "prescribe" the subsequent cinematic pieces: the British production A Taste of Honey, the Belgian creation Keeper, the American narrative Never Rarely Sometimes Always, the French cinematic gem L'événement, and the Spanish masterpiece La maternal. Adding to this repertoire is Juno, a film that skews more toward comedy than drama, deliberately invoking discomfort within diverse contexts.(AU)

Estrategia para fomentar el principio de beneficencia en la comunicación entre el logofonoaudiólogo, el paciente afásico y su familia

Introducción: La comunicación por parte del logofonoaudiólogo con el paciente afásico y su familia garantiza el bienestar biopsicosocial de estos y favorece una adecuada relación médico-paciente. Objetivo: Evaluar una propuesta de estrategia para el fomento del principio de beneficencia entre el logofonoaudiólogo, el paciente afásico y su familia en el Policlínico Universitario Dr. René Vallejo Ortiz, ciudad de Manzanillo, Granma, Cuba. Método: Fue aplicada la técnica de Iadov o criterio de usuario que permitió evaluar la propuesta. Para ello se encuestaron 15 logofonoaudiólogos de la provincia de Granma, Cuba, se escogieron de manera intencional 10, cuyas cualidades cumplían los requisitos exigidos para ser considerados usuarios. Se utilizaron diferentes métodos, técnicas y procedimientos para procesar y analizar los datos recogidos. La escala valorativa Likert facilitó la interpretación cualitativa de los datos recogidos. Resultados: Desde el criterio individual el 60 % de los usuarios consideró la propuesta bastante adecuada; la valoración más baja fue de adecuada (20 %). El cálculo de la valoración grupal, el índice obtenido (0,5 %) le confirió confiabilidad a la propuesta para ser implementada. Conclusiones: Los usuarios consideran que la propuesta de estrategia cumple con los requisitos para la aplicación. No obstante, existen algunos elementos que pudieran dificultar la ejecución de la misma: la incorrecta preparación científico-metodológica de los facilitadores, el uso inadecuado de los métodos y técnicas educativas, así como la negativa de aquellos logofonoaudiólogos que no concienticen la necesidad de alcanzar modos de actuación acorde a los principios y valores profesionales.

Introduction: Communication by the speech-language pathologist with the aphasic patient and his family guarantees their biopsychosocial well-being and promotes an adequate doctor-patient relationship. Objective: To evaluate a proposed strategy to promote the principle of beneficence between the speech-language pathologist, the aphasic patient and their family at the Policlínico Universitario Dr. René Vallejo Ortiz, Manzanillo city, Granma province, Cuba. Method: The Iadov technique or user criteria was applied that allowed the proposal to be evaluated. For this, 15 speech-language pathologists from the province of Granma, were surveyed; 10 were intentionally chosen, whose qualities met the requirements to be considered users. Different methods, techniques and procedures were used to process and analyze the data collected. The Likert rating scale facilitated the qualitative interpretation of the data collected. Results: From individual criteria, 60% of users considered the proposal quite appropriate; the lowest rating was adequate (20%). The calculation of the group assessment, the index obtained (0.5%) conferred reliability to the proposal to be implemented. Conclusions: Users consider that the strategy proposal meets the requirements for the application. However, there are some elements that could make its execution difficult: the incorrect scientific-methodological preparation of the facilitators, the inappropriate use of educational methods and techniques, as well as the refusal of those speech-language pathologists who do not raise awareness of the need to achieve methods. of action in accordance with professional principles and values.

Introdução: A comunicação do fonoaudiólogo com o paciente afásico e sua família garante o seu bem-estar biopsicossocial e promove uma adequada relação médico-paciente. Objetivo: Avaliar uma proposta de estratégia para promover o princípio da beneficência entre o fonoaudiólogo, o paciente afásico e sua familia na Policlínico Universitario Dr. René Vallejo Ortiz, cidade de Manzanillo, Granma, Cuba. Método: Foi aplicada a técnica de Iadov ou critérios de usuário que permitiram avaliar a proposta. Para isso, foram entrevistados 15 fonoaudiólogos da província de Granma, foram escolhidos 10 intencionalmente, cujas qualidades atendiam aos requisitos para serem considerados usuários. Diferentes métodos, técnicas e procedimentos foram utilizados para processar e analisar os dados coletados. A escala de classificação Likert facilitou a interpretação qualitativa dos dados coletados. Resultados: A partir de critérios individuais, 60% dos usuários consideraram a proposta bastante adequada; a classificação mais baixa foi adequada (20%). No cálculo da avaliação do grupo, o índice obtido (0,5%) conferiu confiabilidade à proposta a ser implementada. Conclusões: Os usuários consideram que a proposta de estratégia atende aos requisitos para aplicação. Porém, existem alguns elementos que podem dificultar sua execução: o incorreto preparo científico-metodológico dos facilitadores, o uso inadequado de métodos e técnicas educativas, bem como a recusa dos fonoaudiólogos que não conscientizam sobre o necessidade de alcançar métodos de ação de acordo com princípios e valores profissionais.

Análisis del protocolo SPIKES desde la perspectiva del paciente oncológico: Estudio prospectivo / Further exploring the SPIKES protocol from the perspective of oncology patients in terms of personality traits

Background: Establishing adequate communication is part of the therapeutic process and of the integral approach to the oncology patient. The SPIKES protocol defines a series of general recommendations aimed at facilitating this process. To date, there is no questionnaire that makes it possible to personalize the communication of bad news in a systematized way. Some studies support the hypothesis that personality influences the communicative modes; therefore, the aim of this work is to try to establish nuances in the SPIKES protocol based on personality traits. Methods: Single-center, observational, prospective, descriptive and correlational study, conducted on a sample of 51 oncology patients based on a personality questionnaire and a communication questionnaire (based on the SPIKES protocol). Results: The scores recorded in all domains of the communication questionnaire were high. There was no significant correlation with the personality questionnaire domains. Conclusions: There are certain needs tending towards universality in the communication of bad news that the SPIKES protocol adequately reflects; it can be considered the gold standard. However, it is not possible to establish nuances in it according to personality traits based on the results of this work. In the strategy phase, attention should be paid to life and family planning in the context of oncologic disease.

Introducción: Establecer una adecuada comunicación forma parte del proceso terapéutico y del abordaje integral del paciente oncológico. El protocolo SPIKES emite una serie de recomendaciones generales destinadas a facilitar este proceso. No existe hasta la fecha un cuestionario que permita personalizar de una manera sistematizada la comunicación de malas noticias. Existen estudios que apoyan la hipótesis de que la personalidad influye en los modos comunicativos. Por ello, el objetivo de este trabajo fue intentar establecer matices en el protocolo SPIKES con base en los rasgos de personalidad. Materiales y métodos: Estudio unicéntrico, observacional, prospectivo, descriptivo y correlacional, realizado sobre una muestra de 51 pacientes oncológicos con base en un cuestionario de personalidad y un cuestionario de comunicación, el cual se basa a su vez en el protocolo SPIKES. Resultados: Las puntuaciones registradas en todos los dominios del cuestionario de comunicación fueron elevadas. Ninguna correlación con los dominios del cuestionario de personalidad resultó significativa. Conclusiones: Existen determinadas necesidades tendentes a la universalidad en torno a la comunicación de malas noticias que el protocolo SPIKES recoge adecuadamente, por lo que puede considerarse el gold standard. No se pueden establecer matices en este cuestionario en función de los rasgos de personalidad con base en los resultados de este trabajo. En la fase de estrategia, conviene prestar atención a la planificación vital y familiar en el seno de la enfermedad oncológica. Palabras Clave: protocolo SPIKES, comunicación de malas noticias, psicooncología, medicina personalizada, relación médico-paciente. ABSTRACT Background:Establishing adequate communication is part of the therapeutic process and of the integral approach to the oncology patient. The SPIKES protocol issues a series of general recommendations aimed at facilitating this process. To date, there is no questionnaire that makes it possible to personalize the communication of bad news in a systematized way. There are studies that support the hypothesis that personality influences the communicative modes. Therefore, the aim of this work is to try to establish nuances in the SPIKES protocol based on personality traits. Methods:Single-center, observational, prospective, descriptive and correlational study, conducted on a sample of 51 oncology patients based on a personality questionnaire and a communication questionnaire (based on the SPIKES protocol). Results: The scores recorded in all domains of the communication questionnaire were high. No correlation with the personality questionnaire Irene Solana López* , Manuel Meilan Uzcategui , Elia Martínez Moreno , Ignacio Juez Martel , David Gutiérrez Abad , Elena Lahoz León , Olga Mateo Rodríguez , Jaime Martínez Moreno , Carlos de Zea Luque , Ana Manuela Martín Fernández de Soignie , Fátima Escalona Martín , Isabel Santana Gómez y Juan Antonio Guerra Martínez Servicio de Oncología Médica, Hospital Universitario de Fuenlabrada, Madrid (Spain)Recibido: 05/02/2024Aceptado: 08/03/2024Publicado: 30/04/2024* Autor de correspondencia: Irene Solana López, irene.solana@salud.madrid.orgArtículo / ArticleISSN: 2661-6653DOI:https://doi.org/10.33821/736Cómo citar: Solana Lopez I, Meilan Uzcategui M, Martinez Moreno E, Juez Martel I, Gutierrez Abad D, Lahoz León E, Mateo Rodríguez O, Martinez Moreno J, de Zea Luque C, Martín Fernández de Soignie AM, Escalona Martín F, Santana Gómez I, Guerra Martinez JA. Análisis del protocolo SPIKES desde la perspectiva del paciente oncológico. Estudio prospectivo basado en cuestionarios. Oncología (Ecuador). 2024;34(1): 4-20. https://doi.org/10.33821/736Further exploring the SPIKES protocol from the perspective of oncology patients in terms of personality traitsProspective questionnaire-based study© 2024 Revista Oncología Ecuador. Publicado por la Sociedad de Lucha Contra el Cáncer, Ecuador. Este es un artículo de acceso abierto publicado bajo una licencia CC BY-NC-SA (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-sa/4.0/)

Evolution of the representation of the dentist in cinema / Evolución de la representación del dentista en el cine

Over the years and with the evolution of cinema, the representations of the dentist have also evolved. From silent to talking pictures, from black and white to colour, from Hollywood to European cinema, we have tried to identify the characteristics of the dentist in the films. From being a secondary and anecdotal character, he has now become the protagonist of choice. From a caricature and a scripted argument, the dentist has gradually become a complex protagonist. The public's perception of the dental profession is influenced by these changes, giving hope for a better relationship between patients and dentists, with the aim of improving oral public health. (AU)

A lo largo de los años y con la evolución del cine, las representaciones de los dentistas también han evolucionado. Desde el cine mudo hasta el sonoro, desde el blanco y negro hasta el color, desde Hollywood hasta el cine europeo, hemos tratado de identificar las características del dentista en las películas. De ser un personaje secundario y anecdótico, ha pasado a ser el protagonista por excelencia. De ser una caricatura y un argumento guionizado, el dentista se ha ido convirtiendo en un protagonista complejo. Estos cambios influyen en la percepción que el público tiene de la profesión dental, lo que permite esperar una mejor relación entre pacientes y dentistas, con el objetivo de mejorar la salud pública bucodental. (AU)

Asociación entre niveles de empatía en médicos y satisfacción del paciente / Association between empathy levels in physicians and patient satisfaction

Resumen Introducción: Una buena relación médico-paciente es crucial para la práctica médica. Un elemento fundamen tal de la misma es la empatía del médico tratante, y esta puede ser cuantificada mediante una escala validada llamada Escala de Empatía de Jefferson. Métodos: En este estudio buscamos correlacionar los valores de empatía de los médicos del servicio con los resultados de las encuestas de satisfacción del pa ciente ambulatorio, medido mediante una herramienta llamada HCAPS. Resultados: Encontramos que los pacientes percibían un mayor trato respetuoso y que se les explicaba mejor sus opciones de tratamiento por parte de los médicos con mayores niveles de empatía. No hubo diferencias en los niveles de empatía de los médicos según su edad, sexo, o tiempo desde la obtención del título de especialista. Discusión: Los resultados validan a la empatía como una habilidad clave dentro de la relación médico-paciente.

Abstract Introduction: A good doctor-patient relationship is crucial to medical practice. A fundamental element of it is the empathy of the treating physician, and it can be quantified by means of a validated scale called the Jefferson Empathy Scale. Methods: In this study we sought to correlate the empathy values of our physicians with the results of outpatient satisfaction surveys, measured using a tool called HCAPS. Results: We found that patients perceived greater respectful treatment and had their treatment options better explained to them by physicians with higher lev els of empathy. There were no differences in physicians' empathy levels according to their age, gender, or time since qualifying as a specialist. Discussion: These results validate empathy as a key skill in the doctor-patient relationship.

[Quality of communication with the caregiver of pediatric patient]. / Calidad de la comunicación con el cuidador del paciente pediátrico.

INTRODUCTION: The deficiencies in the communication between the doctor and the patient have an impact on the care process and its therapeutic outcome. The objective of this study was to determine the perception of the information provided by treating physicians by parents or primary caregivers and the deficits observed in their relationship during the hospitalization of pediatric patients in high, medium and low complexity units. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Descriptive study carried out from January to May 2017 at the Foundation Hospital de la Misericordia, Bogotá (Colombia), through an anonymous, self-filled survey during the hospital stay, consisting of a first part of open questions, and the second by a survey Likert type with qualitative variables. The qualitative variables evaluated through the survey were summarized in frequencies; in addition, the Kaiser-Meyer-Olkin test was performed with principal component analysis under a Varimax rotation. RESULTS: Three hundred and eighty-seven primary caregivers were surveyed, 68.5% belonged to the general stay area, 20.4% to intermediate care and 11.1% to intensive care. Ninety percent of the respondents agreed on the way in which the patient's evolution was explained, expressing satisfaction with the information delivered, the language in which it was expressed and the interest towards their concerns; despite this, 41% indicated uncertainty regarding the medical evolution of their son. CONCLUSIONS: An adequate warning was received regarding the medical information provided, the language used, the treatment of the patient and teaching the main caregiver about the pathology presented by the patient. The uncertainty regarding the evolution of patients is the factor that contributes the most to dissatisfaction with the quality of the information.

Empowerment in Dermatology. / Empoderamiento y Dermatología.

The term empowerment refers to any process that facilitates behavioral changes and encourages responsibility and making informed choices. The concept has been applied mainly to help patients with chronic conditions achieve therapeutic goals. The aim of the approach in health care is to enhance self-caring and self-efficacy. The term derives from the English verb to empower meaning "to give (someone) the authority or power to do something" or "to make an individual or a group stronger or more powerful". One of the responsibilities of health professionals is to improve patients' knowledge and their ability to choose between the different alternatives available to them so that they can act accordingly. In this article, we review the various definitions of the term empowerment, the tools used to measure patient empowerment, the implications of the concept for the management of chronic disease, and its use in dermatological conditions.

La medicina y el metaverso: aplicaciones actuales y futuro / Medicine and the metaverse: current applications and future

Resumen Las innovadoras tecnologías del metaverso y el chat GPT4 (basado en inteligencia artificial) están presentes en el discurso cotidiano de la sociedad; recientemente se han introducido en la práctica médica y están provocando importantes cambios. En cuanto al metaverso ("después del universo"), diversas escuelas y facultades de medicina del mundo comienzan a utilizarlo como una estrategia innovadora dirigida a la enseñanza de materias como anatomía, histología, oftalmología y simulación en mundos paralelos (virtuales) para el aprendizaje y supervisión de cirugías, así como para otras aplicaciones en educación médica y en la relación médico-paciente. Si bien debe tomarse en cuenta como un área de oportunidad para la transformación de la medicina, es importante considerar las diversas limitaciones y riesgos del metaverso en la práctica médica, la formación de estudiantes y la relación del médico con los problemas de salud a los que se enfrenta en su práctica.

Abstract Innovative technologies such as the metaverse and chat GPT-4 (based on artificial intelligence) are present in the daily discourse of society; recently, they have been introduced into medical practice and are bringing about important changes. In the case of the metaverse ("beyond the universe"), various medical schools and departments around the world are beginning to use it as an innovative strategy for teaching subjects such as anatomy, histology, ophthalmology, and simulation in parallel (virtual) worlds for learning and supervision of surgeries, as well as for other applications in medical education and in the doctor-patient relationship. Although it should be regarded as an area of opportunity for the transformation of medicine, it is important to consider the various limitations and risks of the metaverse in medical practice, student training, and physicians' relationship with the health problems they have to deal with in their practice.

Ética médica y atención a pacientes en estadio terminal en el nivel primario de atención / Medical Ethics and End-stage Patient Care at the Primary Care Level

Introducción: El artículo reflexiona sobre la naturaleza multidimensional y compleja de la ética y su relación con las ciencias médicas. Objetivo: Reflexionar sobre la atención a pacientes en estadio terminal desde el punto de vista de la ética médica para una atención médica integral en el primer nivel de atención. Métodos: estudio cualitativo; se emplearon análisis documental, sistematización, análisis y síntesis de publicaciones sobre la temática estudiada como métodos teóricos, para ello se valoran los criterios de autores y resultados que se expresan en artículos publicados. Se realizaron búsquedas, tanto en bases de datos estudiadas como en las plataformas de productos del Nacional Council for Biotechnology Information de la Nacional Library of Medicine of United States of America; y de Elsevier, esta última productora de Embase y Scopus, a través del motor de búsqueda Google Académico, en español e inglés, y sin límite de tiempo. Se emplearon los términos: ética médica, deontología médica, relación médico-paciente, paciente terminal y cuidados paliativos. Se excluyeron aquellos artículos que no habían sido revisados por pares o no mostraban el texto completo. Se revisó la información suministrada por cada fuente y se sintetizó. Conclusiones: En Cuba, la bioética avanza en la medida que lo permite la estrategia de Atención Primaria de Salud, con un Programa del Médico y Enfermera de la Familia resiliente y de valores humanos demostrados nacional e internacionalmente. Como reto se plantea estimular el debate entre saberes para generar cambios a favor de los pacientes, las familias, las comunidades y la sociedad(AU)

Introduction: The article reflects on the multidimensional and complex nature of ethics and its relationship to the medical sciences. Objective: To reflect on the care of terminally ill patients from the point of view of medical ethics for comprehensive medical care at the primary level of care. Methods: A qualitative study was carried out using documentary analysis, systematization, analysis and synthesis of publications on the subject studied as theoretical methods. For this purpose, the criteria of authors and results expressed in published articles were evaluated. Searches were carried out in Spanish and English through Google Scholar, and without time limit, both in the databases studied and in the product platforms of the National Council for Biotechnology Information of the National Library of Medicine of the United States of America and Elsevier. The terms: medical ethics, medical deontolog, physician-patient relationship, terminal patient and palliative care were used. Articles that were not peer-reviewed and those that did not show the full text were excluded. The information provided by each source was reviewed and synthesized. Conclusions: In Cuba, bioethics advances to the extent allowed by the Primary Health Care strategy, with a resilient Family Physician and Nurse Practitioner Program and human values demonstrated nationally and internationally. The challenge is to stimulate the debate between knowledge to generate changes in favor of patients, families, communities and society(AU)

La relación profesionales-pacientes en tiempos de reforma. Un análisis socio-histórico con perspectiva de género del periódico ABC en los años ochenta / The doctor-patient relationship in times of reform. A socio-historical and gender analysis of the abc newspaper in the 1980s

El artículo analiza la representación de la relación médico-paciente en artículos publicados en el periódico ABC y explora la producción de significados de género del encuentro terapéutico durante los años ochenta, una etapa de renovación y cambios estructurales en la asistencia sanitaria española. El análisis histórico del discurso periodístico en ABC reveló la proyección social de una relación médico-paciente como acto humanitario y de amor, según los testimonios de los médicos que contribuyeron al debate en este medio y que, con frecuencia, mostraron su resistencia ante la reforma sanitaria y la preocupación por los cambios estructurales, así como por la organización y calidad de la asistencia. La crítica a la desnaturalización y burocratización de la relación médico-paciente fue secundada, a partir de 1984, por pacientes y periodismo especializado. Sus opiniones contrarias a la Ley de Sanidad de 1986 se agudizaron ante el amparo que la norma daba a los derechos de los pacientes. Las líneas discursivas conservadoras del ABC reflejaron la resistencia simbólica ante la reforma sanitaria, la moralización de la salud-enfermedad, la hegemonía de la profesionalización médica masculina y la invisibilización y subalternidad de las mujeres sanitarias.(AU)

The article analyzes the representation of the doctor-patient relationship in articles published in ABC newspaper and explores the production of gender meanings of the therapeutic encounter during the eighties, a period of renewal and structural changes in Spanish health care. The historical analysis of ABC journalistic discourse revealed the social projection of a doctor-patient relationship as a humanitarian act of love, according to the testimonies of the doctors. They frequently showed their resistance to health reform and concern for the changes in structural reorganization and quality of care. From 1984, patients and some journalists also criticize the bureaucratization of the doctor-patient relationship. The protection that the 1986 Health Law gave to the patients’ rights increased published opinions against the Health Law. The conservative discursive lines of the ABC reflected the symbolic resistance to health reform, the moralization of health-disease, the hegemony of male medical professionalization and the invisibility and subalternity of female health workers.(AU)

La conciencia y la esencia del médico en dos películas / The Physician’s Conscience and Essence through Two Films

Dos películas -una española ambientada en Colombia, la otra belga- que tienen un denominador común, y provocan un cuestionamiento vocacional: ¿Cuál es el sentido de ser médico? ¿Por qué elegir esta profesión? Y, a continuación, la pregunta lógica: ¿Cómo formar médicos hoy en día, cuando parece que el sistema no ayuda? La construcción del profesionalismo médico enfrenta desafíos únicos que ven de dentro del sistema sanitario. La atención está centrada en procesos y resultados, y el paciente es, con mucha frecuencia, olvidado. El enfermo se transforma en un detalle o, peor, en un elemento que problematiza el sistema, diseñado para situaciones teóricas, sin contemplar la necesaria imprevisibilidad del ser humano. La solución posible sugiere la necesidad de formar una cultura en grupo, trabajar en conjunto con profesionales que son felices, y tiene orgullo de ser médicos y dedicarse vocacionalmente a cuidar de los pacientes. El médico es una conciencia frente a una confianza que el paciente le otorga. Por eso, reflexionar sobre la práctica médica es fundamental para el aprendizaje y el despertar de esta conciencia profesional. Sólo cuando pensamos en nuestro desempeño, en cómo aprendemos de cada encuentro con el paciente, podemos mejorar y adquirir nuevas actitudes. Postura que es integridad y al mismo tiempo dedicación y cuidado amoroso, donde se injerta la verdadera competencia y sabiduría, como la demostrada por los médicos ejemplares de todas las épocas. Aprender, que la sabiduría no es sólo saber las cosas, sino también amarlas. (AU)

Two films -one Spanish set in Colombia, the other Belgian- that have a common denominator, and provoke a vocational questioning: What is the meaning of being a doctor? Why we choose this profession? And then, the logical question: how to train doctors today, when it seems that the system does not help? Building medical professionalism faces unique challenges that come from within the healthcare system. Attention is focused on processes and results, and the patient is very often forgotten. The patient becomes a detail or, worse, an element that problematizes the system, designed for theoretical situations, without contemplating the necessary unpredictability of the human being. The possible solution suggests the need to form a culture-group, able to work together with professionals who are happy and proud to be doctors and dedicate themselves to caring for patients. The doctor is a conscience in the face of a trust that the patient gives him. For this reason, reflecting on medical practice is essential for learning and awakening this professional awareness. Only when we think about our performance, about how we learn from each encounter with the patient, we can improve and acquire new attitudes. Posture that is integrity and at the same time dedication and loving care, where true competence and wisdom are grafted, as demonstrated by exemplary doctors of all times. And at the bottom, to learn that wisdom is not only knowing things, but also loving them. (AU)

La comunicación del riesgo en cirugía: Un proceso por mejorar / Communication of risk in surgery: A process to improve

Introducción. La evaluación del riesgo es fundamental en el éxito quirúrgico. Las perspectivas de los actores involucrados en el proceso de atención deben alinearse con el fin de planear, comunicar y ejecutar adecuadamente las intervenciones necesarias. El objetivo de este escrito fue analizar el riesgo quirúrgico, considerando los posibles factores relacionados con su estimación, comunicación y comprensión en la práctica clínica. Métodos. Análisis crítico y reflexivo de la información disponible, contrastado con la práctica usual. Se hace un ejercicio con situaciones clínicas habituales. Resultados. La complejidad de los pacientes, los recursos, el contexto y la naturaleza de las intervenciones, demandan una aproximación del riesgo implícito de una cirugía con instrumentos evaluativos confiables y reproducibles. Las percepciones por los médicos, pacientes y administradores en salud acerca del impacto de una cirugía difieren según sus intereses. La transmisión de los resultados es un reto ante la asimetría en el conocimiento, la complejidad de los procedimientos y la incertidumbre en los resultados. La comunicación efectiva, como una competencia, se hace altamente pertinente en la actividad del médico. Facilitar la comprensión del mensaje exige una práctica continua y un proceso de mejoramiento adaptado al contexto de la atención en salud. Conclusiones. El riesgo quirúrgico exige una metodología clara y fiable en su evaluación, comunicación y comprensión entre los actores del sistema de salud. Su presencia está asociada a la actividad profesional de los médicos y requiere competencias que permitan un abordaje no lineal del tema. Es una actividad profesional con el fin de mejorar los desenlaces en salud y la calidad de las intervenciones

Introduction. Evaluation of surgical risk is fundamental in surgical success. The perspectives of the actors involved in the care process must be aligned to adequately plan, communicate, and execute the necessary interventions. The aim of this article is to analyze surgical risk, considering possible factors related to its estimation, communication and understanding in clinical practice. Methods. Critical and reflective analysis of the available information, contrasted with the usual practice. An exercise is done with usual clinical situations. Discussion. Complexity of the patients, resources, context, and nature of the interventions demand an approximation of the implicit risk of surgery with reliable and reproducible evaluation instruments. Perceptions by physicians, patients, and health administrators about the impact of surgery differ according to their interests. The transmission of results is a challenge in the face of asymmetry in knowledge, complexity of procedures and uncertainty in results. Effective communication as a competence becomes highly relevant in the physician's activity. Facilitating the understanding of the message requires continuous practice and an improvement process adapted to the context of health care. Conclusions. Surgical risk requires a clear and reliable methodology in its evaluation, communication and understanding among the actors of the health system. Their presence is associated with the professional activity of doctors and requires skills that allow a non-linear approach to the subject. It is a professional activity that must be empowered to improve health outcomes and the quality of interventions.