Understanding the municipal-level design and adaptation of pay-for-performance schemes across two states of Brazil.

The design of complex health systems interventions, such as pay for performance (P4P), can be critical to determining such programmes' success. In P4P programmes, the design of financial incentives is crucial in shaping how these programmes work. However, the design of such schemes is usually homogenous across providers within a given scheme. Consequently, there is a limited understanding of the strengths and weaknesses of P4P design elements from the implementers' perspective. This study takes advantage of the unique context of Brazil, where municipalities adapted the federal incentive design, resulting in variations in incentive design across municipalities. The study aims to understand why municipalities in Brazil chose certain P4P design features, the associated challenges, and the local adaptations made to address problems in scheme design. This study was a multiple-case study design relying on qualitative data from twenty municipalities from two states in northeastern Brazil. We conducted two key informant interviews with municipal-level stakeholders and focus group discussions with primary care providers. We also reviewed municipal PMAQ laws in each municipality. We found substantial variation in the design choices made by municipalities regarding 'who was incentivised', the 'payment size' and 'frequency'. Design choices affected relationships within municipalities and within teams. Challenges were chiefly associated with fairness relating to 'who received the incentive', 'what is incentivised', and the 'incentive size'. Adaptations were made to improve fairness, mostly in response to pressure from the healthcare workers. The significant variation in design choices across municipalities and providers' response to them highlights the importance of considering local context in the design and implementation of P4P schemes and ensuring flexibility to accommodate local preferences and emerging needs. Attention is needed to ensure the choice of 'who is incentivised' and the 'size of incentives' are inclusive and fair, and the allocation and 'use of funds' are transparent.

Does pay-for-performance design matter? Evidence from Brazil.

Pay-for-performance (P4P) schemes have been shown to have mixed effects on health care outcomes. A challenge in interpreting this evidence is that P4P is often considered a homogenous intervention, when in practice schemes vary widely in their design. Our study contributes to this literature by providing a detailed depiction of incentive design across municipalities within a national P4P scheme in Brazil [Primary Care Access and Quality (PMAQ)] and exploring the association of alternative design typologies with the performance of primary health care providers. We carried out a nation-wide survey of municipal health managers to characterize the scheme design, based on the size of the bonus, the providers incentivized and the frequency of payment. Using OLS regressions and controlling for municipality characteristics, we examined whether each design feature was associated with better family health team (FHT) performance. To capture potential interactions between design features, we used cluster analysis to group municipalities into five design typologies and then examined associations with quality of care. A majority of the municipalities included in our study used some of the PMAQ funds to provide bonuses to FHT workers, while the remaining municipalities spent the funds in the traditional way using input-based budgets. Frequent bonus payments (monthly) and higher size bonus allocations (share of 20-80%) were strongly associated with better team performance, while who within a team was eligible to receive bonuses did not in isolation appear to influence performance. The cluster analysis showed what combinations of design features were associated with better performance. The PMAQ score in the 'large bonus/many workers/high-frequency' cluster was 8.44 points higher than the 'no bonus' cluster, equivalent to a difference of 21.7% in the mean PMAQ score. Evidence from our study shows how design features can potentially influence health provider performance, informing the design of more effective P4P schemes.

Clinical characteristics and outcomes of COVID-19 patients with preexisting dementia: a large multicenter propensity-matched Brazilian cohort study.

BACKGROUND: Although dementia has emerged as an important risk factor for severe SARS-CoV-2 infection, results on COVID-19-related complications and mortality are not consistent. We examined the clinical presentations and outcomes of COVID-19 in a multicentre cohort of in-hospital patients, comparing those with and without dementia. METHODS: This retrospective observational study comprises COVID-19 laboratory-confirmed patients aged ≥ 60 years admitted to 38 hospitals from 19 cities in Brazil. Data were obtained from electronic hospital records. A propensity score analysis was used to match patients with and without dementia (up to 3:1) according to age, sex, comorbidities, year, and hospital of admission. Our primary outcome was in-hospital mortality. We also assessed admission to the intensive care unit (ICU), invasive mechanical ventilation (IMV), kidney replacement therapy (KRT), sepsis, nosocomial infection, and thromboembolic events. RESULTS: Among 1,556 patients included in the study, 405 (4.5%) had a diagnosis of dementia and 1,151 were matched controls. When compared to matched controls, patients with dementia had a lower frequency of dyspnoea, cough, myalgia, headache, ageusia, and anosmia; and higher frequency of fever and delirium. They also had a lower frequency of ICU admission (32.7% vs. 47.1%, p < 0.001) and shorter ICU length of stay (7 vs. 9 days, p < 0.026), and a lower frequency of sepsis (17% vs. 24%, p = 0.005), KRT (6.4% vs. 13%, p < 0.001), and IVM (4.6% vs. 9.8%, p = 0.002). There were no differences in hospital mortality between groups. CONCLUSION: Clinical manifestations of COVID-19 differ between older inpatients with and without dementia. We observed that dementia alone could not explain the higher short-term mortality following severe COVID-19. Therefore, clinicians should consider other risk factors such as acute morbidity severity and baseline frailty when evaluating the prognosis of older adults with dementia hospitalised with COVID-19.

Reflexos do pagamento por desempenho na atuação do(a)s profissionais da Atenção Primária à Saúde, Paraíba, Brasil / Effects of pay-for-performance on the work of primary health care professionals in the state of Paraíba, Brazil / Reflejos del pago por desempeño en la actuación de los y las profesionales de la atención primaria de la salud, Paraíba, Brasil

O estudo buscou compreender a influência da estratégia do Pay for Performance (P4P), por meio do Programa Nacional de Melhoria do Acesso e Qualidade da Atenção Básica (PMAQ-AB), na atuação do(a)s trabalhadore(a)s. Trata-se de um estudo de caso qualitativo realizado com o(a)s trabalhadore(a)s das Estratégias de Saúde da Família. A análise foi realizada mediante a técnica de construção de narrativas. Constatou-se que o P4P contribuiu para qualificação do processo de trabalho, ao mesmo tempo que estimulou competição e conflito entre as equipes, aflorando sentimentos de culpa e injustiça e, devido à precarização do trabalho, o estímulo financeiro se descaracteriza, tornando-se complemento salarial. Problemas macroestruturais afetam as condições de trabalho e a motivação do(a)s trabalhadore(a)s, de modo que modelos de incentivo financeiro, isoladamente, não são suficientes para reverter tal cenário.

This study sought to understand the influence of pay-for-performance (P4P) on worker performance using data from the National Program for Improving Primary Care Access and Quality (PMAQ-AB). We conducted a qualitative case study with professionals working in family health strategy teams. The data were analyzed using the narrative construction technique. The findings show that P4P contributed to the improvement of work processes, while at the same time stimulating competition and conflict between the teams, causing feelings of guilt and injustice. However, the original purpose of the financial incentive is defeated due to poor working terms and conditions, becoming akin to a salary supplement. Macrostructural problems affect working conditions and worker motivation, showing that financial incentive models alone are not sufficient to reverse this situation.

El estudio buscó comprender la influencia de la estrategia Pay for Performance (P4P), por medio del Programa de Mejora del Acceso y Calidad de la Atención Básica (Pmaq-AB), en la actuación de los trabajadores y las trabajadoras. Se trata de un estudio de caso, cualitativo, realizado con los trabajadores y las trabajadoras de las Estrategias de Salud de la Familia. El análisis se realizó mediante la construcción de narrativas. Se constató que el P4P contribuyó para la calificación del proceso de trabajo, al mismo tiempo que incentivó competencia y conflicto entre los equipos, haciendo aflorar los sentimientos de culpa e injusticia y, debido a la precarización del trabajo, el incentivo financiero se descaracteriza pasando a ser complemento salarial. Problemas macroestructurales afectan las condiciones de trabajo y la motivación de los trabajadores y de las trabajadoras, de modo que los modelos de incentivo económico, aisladamente, no son suficientes para revertir ese escenario.

Caminhos possíveis da avaliação econômica para práticas integrativas e complementares nas condições crônicas / Possible paths of economic assessment for integrative and complementary practices in chronic conditions

Resumo Objetivos Analisar desenhos de avaliação econômica em Práticas Integrativas e Complementares em Saúde (PICS). Métodos O estudo é uma revisão integrativa de estudos disponíveis na Biblioteca Virtual em Saúde, de 2009 a 2021. Resultados Vinte e um estudos foram selecionados para análise final, apresentando importante conformidade com as recomendações dos especialistas. Em geral, a população foi composta por mulheres adultas com distúrbios osteomusculares, que receberam terapias manipulativas, acupuntura/acupressão e homeopatia. Para avaliar essas intervenções, foram utilizadas as perspectivas da sociedade ou do provedor, a partir de análises de custo-efetividade e de custo-consequência, concentrando-se em estimar os custos diretos de saúde, e por vezes, os custos indiretos. Quanto aos desfechos, a maioria dos estudos coletou mais de uma medida, principalmente relacionadas a manifestações sintomáticas, bem-estar global e/ou fatores psicossociais. Conclusões A avaliação econômica está evoluindo para considerar perspectivas mais amplas, com maior variedade de custos e resultados, adaptando-se a diversos cenários de intervenção, atendendo às especificidades das PICS. Conciliar o desenho metodológico ao contexto de inserção das PICS no Brasil é possível e necessário, dada a carência de avaliações nacionais, aos vieses gerados por comparações internacionais e às disputas pela sustentabilidade desse conjunto de práticas no Sistema Único de Saúde.

Abstract Objectives To analyze economic evaluation designs in Integrative and Complementary Health Practices (PICS). Methods This study is an integrative review of available studies in the Virtual Health Library, from 2009 to 2021. Results Twenty-one studies were selected for final analysis, showing significant compliance with the experts' recommendations. In general, the population consisted of adult women with musculoskeletal disorders, who received manipulative therapies, acupuncture/acupressure and homeopathy. To evaluate these interventions, society's or provider's perspectives were used, based on cost-effectiveness and cost-consequence analyses, focusing on estimating direct health costs, and sometimes indirect costs. As for outcomes, most studies collected more than one measure, mainly related to symptomatic manifestations, overall well-being and/or psychosocial factors. Conclusions The economic evaluation is evolving to consider broader perspectives, with a greater variety of costs and results, adapting to different intervention scenarios, meeting the specificities of PICS. Reconciling methodological design and PICS' context of insertion in Brazil is possible and necessary, given the lack of national assessments, the biases generated by international comparisons, and the disputes over the sustainability of this set of practices in the Brazilian Unified Healht System.

Myocardial Injury and Prognosis in Hospitalized COVID-19 Patients in Brazil: Results From The Brazilian COVID-19 Registry. / Lesão Miocárdica e Prognóstico em Pacientes Hospitalizados com COVID-19 no Brasil: Resultados do Registro Nacional de COVID-19.

BACKGROUND: Cardiovascular complications of COVID-19 are important aspects of the disease's pathogenesis and prognosis. Evidence on the prognostic role of troponin and myocardial injury in Latin American hospitalized COVID-19 patients is still scarce. OBJECTIVES: To evaluate myocardial injury as independent predictor of in-hospital mortality and invasive mechanical ventilation support in hospitalized patients, from the Brazilian COVID-19 Registry. METHODS: This cohort study is a substudy of the Brazilian COVID-19 Registry, conducted in 31 Brazilian hospitals of 17 cities, March-September 2020. Primary outcomes included in-hospital mortality and invasive mechanical ventilation support. Models for the primary outcomes were estimated by Poisson regression with robust variance, with statistical significance of p<0.05. RESULTS: Of 2,925 patients (median age of 60 years [48-71], 57.1% men), 27.3% presented myocardial injury. The proportion of patients with comorbidities was higher among patients with cardiac injury (median 2 [1-2] vs. 1 [0-2]). Patients with myocardial injury had higher median levels of brain natriuretic peptide, lactate dehydrogenase, creatine phosphokinase, N-terminal pro-brain natriuretic peptide, and C-reactive protein than patients without myocardial injury. As independent predictors, C-reactive protein and platelet counts were related to the risk of death, and neutrophils and platelet counts were related to the risk of invasive mechanical ventilation support. Patients with high troponin levels presented a higher risk of death (RR 2.03, 95% CI 1.60-2.58) and invasive mechanical ventilation support (RR 1.87, 95% CI 1.57-2.23), when compared to those with normal troponin levels. CONCLUSION: Cardiac injury was an independent predictor of in-hospital mortality and the need for invasive mechanical ventilation support in hospitalized COVID-19 patients.

FUNDAMENTO: As complicações cardiovasculares da COVID-19 são aspectos importantes da patogênese e do prognóstico da doença. Evidências do papel prognóstico da troponina e da lesão miocárdica em pacientes hospitalizados com COVID-19 na América Latina são ainda escassos. OBJETIVOS: Avaliar a lesão miocárdica como preditor independente de mortalidade hospitalar e suporte ventilatório mecânico em pacientes hospitalizados, do registro brasileiro de COVID-19. MÉTODOS: Este estudo coorte é um subestudo do registro brasileiro de COVID-19, conduzido em 31 hospitais brasileiros de 17 cidades, de março a setembro de 2020. Os desfechos primários incluíram mortalidade hospitalar e suporte ventilatório mecânico invasivo. Os modelos para os desfechos primários foram estimados por regressão de Poisson com variância robusta, com significância estatística de p<0,05. RESULTADOS: Dos 2925 pacientes [idade mediana de 60 anos (48-71), 57,1%], 27,3% apresentaram lesão miocárdica. A proporção de pacientes com comorbidades foi maior nos pacientes com lesão miocárdica [mediana 2 (1-2) vs. 1 (0-20)]. Os pacientes com lesão miocárdica apresentaram maiores valores medianos de peptídeo natriurético cerebral, lactato desidrogenase, creatina fosfoquinase, N-terminal do pró-peptídeo natriurético tipo B e proteína C reativa em comparação a pacientes sem lesão miocárdica. Como fatores independentes, proteína C reativa e contagem de plaquetas foram relacionados com o risco de morte, e neutrófilos e contagem de plaquetas foram relacionados ao risco de suporte ventilatório mecânico invasivo. Os pacientes com níveis elevados de troponina apresentaram um maior risco de morte (RR 2,03, IC95% 1,60-2,58) e suporte ventilatório mecânico (RR 1,87;IC95% 1,57-2,23), em comparação àqueles com níveis de troponina normais. CONCLUSÃO: Lesão cardíaca foi um preditor independente de mortalidade hospitalar e necessidade de suporte ventilatório mecânico em pacientes hospitalizados com COVID-19.

Pay-for-performance for primary health care in Brazil: A comparison with England's Quality Outcomes Framework and lessons for the future.

Pay-for-performance (P4P) has been widely applied in OECD countries to improve the quality of both primary and secondary care, and is increasingly being implemented in low- and middle-income countries. In 2011, Brazil introduced one of the largest P4P schemes in the world, the National Programme for Improving Primary Care Access and Quality (PMAQ). We critically assess the design of PMAQ, drawing on a comparison with England's quality and outcome framework which, like PMAQ, was implemented at scale relatively rapidly within a nationalised health system. A key feature of PMAQ was that payment was based on the performance of primary care teams but rewards were given to municipalities, who had autonomy in how the funds could be used. This meant the incentives felt by family health teams were contingent on municipality decisions on whether to pass the funds on as bonuses and the basis upon which they allocated the funds between and within teams. Compared with England's P4P scheme, performance measurement under PMAQ focused more on structural rather than process quality of care, relied on many more indicators, and was less regular. While PMAQ represented an important new funding stream for primary health care, our review suggests that theoretical incentives generated were unclear and could have been better structured to direct health providers towards improvements in quality of care.

Lesão Miocárdica e Prognóstico em Pacientes Hospitalizados com COVID-19 no Brasil: Resultados do Registro Nacional de COVID-19 / Myocardial Injury and Prognosis in Hospitalized COVID-19 Patients in Brazil: Results From The Brazilian COVID-19 Registry

Resumo Fundamento As complicações cardiovasculares da COVID-19 são aspectos importantes da patogênese e do prognóstico da doença. Evidências do papel prognóstico da troponina e da lesão miocárdica em pacientes hospitalizados com COVID-19 na América Latina são ainda escassos. Objetivos Avaliar a lesão miocárdica como preditor independente de mortalidade hospitalar e suporte ventilatório mecânico em pacientes hospitalizados, do registro brasileiro de COVID-19. Métodos Este estudo coorte é um subestudo do registro brasileiro de COVID-19, conduzido em 31 hospitais brasileiros de 17 cidades, de março a setembro de 2020. Os desfechos primários incluíram mortalidade hospitalar e suporte ventilatório mecânico invasivo. Os modelos para os desfechos primários foram estimados por regressão de Poisson com variância robusta, com significância estatística de p<0,05. Resultados Dos 2925 pacientes [idade mediana de 60 anos (48-71), 57,1%], 27,3% apresentaram lesão miocárdica. A proporção de pacientes com comorbidades foi maior nos pacientes com lesão miocárdica [mediana 2 (1-2) vs. 1 (0-20)]. Os pacientes com lesão miocárdica apresentaram maiores valores medianos de peptídeo natriurético cerebral, lactato desidrogenase, creatina fosfoquinase, N-terminal do pró-peptídeo natriurético tipo B e proteína C reativa em comparação a pacientes sem lesão miocárdica. Como fatores independentes, proteína C reativa e contagem de plaquetas foram relacionados com o risco de morte, e neutrófilos e contagem de plaquetas foram relacionados ao risco de suporte ventilatório mecânico invasivo. Os pacientes com níveis elevados de troponina apresentaram um maior risco de morte (RR 2,03, IC95% 1,60-2,58) e suporte ventilatório mecânico (RR 1,87;IC95% 1,57-2,23), em comparação àqueles com níveis de troponina normais. Conclusão Lesão cardíaca foi um preditor independente de mortalidade hospitalar e necessidade de suporte ventilatório mecânico em pacientes hospitalizados com COVID-19.

Abstract Background Cardiovascular complications of COVID-19 are important aspects of the disease's pathogenesis and prognosis. Evidence on the prognostic role of troponin and myocardial injury in Latin American hospitalized COVID-19 patients is still scarce. Objectives To evaluate myocardial injury as independent predictor of in-hospital mortality and invasive mechanical ventilation support in hospitalized patients, from the Brazilian COVID-19 Registry. Methods This cohort study is a substudy of the Brazilian COVID-19 Registry, conducted in 31 Brazilian hospitals of 17 cities, March-September 2020. Primary outcomes included in-hospital mortality and invasive mechanical ventilation support. Models for the primary outcomes were estimated by Poisson regression with robust variance, with statistical significance of p<0.05. Results Of 2,925 patients (median age of 60 years [48-71], 57.1% men), 27.3% presented myocardial injury. The proportion of patients with comorbidities was higher among patients with cardiac injury (median 2 [1-2] vs. 1 [0-2]). Patients with myocardial injury had higher median levels of brain natriuretic peptide, lactate dehydrogenase, creatine phosphokinase, N-terminal pro-brain natriuretic peptide, and C-reactive protein than patients without myocardial injury. As independent predictors, C-reactive protein and platelet counts were related to the risk of death, and neutrophils and platelet counts were related to the risk of invasive mechanical ventilation support. Patients with high troponin levels presented a higher risk of death (RR 2.03, 95% CI 1.60-2.58) and invasive mechanical ventilation support (RR 1.87, 95% CI 1.57-2.23), when compared to those with normal troponin levels. Conclusion Cardiac injury was an independent predictor of in-hospital mortality and the need for invasive mechanical ventilation support in hospitalized COVID-19 patients.

Conflito distributivo: análise do Programa de Melhoria do Acesso e Qualidade da Atenção Básica (PMAQ-AB) em duas capitais nordestinas / Conflicto distributivo: análisis del Programa de Mejora del Acceso y Calidad de la Atención Básica (PMAQ-AB) en dos capitales del nordeste de Brasil / Distributive conflict: analysis of the Program for Improving Access and Quality of Primary Care (PMAQ-AB) in two Brazilian northeastern capitals

Este artigo analisa a execução do PMAQ-AB a partir de sua contextualização em um cenário político nacional de profundas transformações, desde o reformismo fraco que promoveu lenta extensão de direitos até o contrarreformismo forte da restauração neoliberal. Para debater os elementos relacionados ao trabalho e às disputas pela distribuição dos recursos públicos, foi realizado estudo de caso com trabalhadores, gestores e conselheiros de saúde em duas capitais do nordeste brasileiro. Os resultados evidenciam o acirramento do conflito distributivo e o resultado desfavorável aos trabalhadores no contexto pós-golpe parlamentar de 2016. As dinâmicas locais expõem processos de contração salarial e individualização das relações de trabalho e a reafirmação da meritocracia como justificativa ideológica da precarização. A isso, trabalhadores se contrapõem pela reafirmação de sua condição coletiva de classe, em favor de benefícios derivados do PMAQ, como recomposição salarial para todos.(AU)

Este artículo analiza la realización del PMAQ-AB a partir de su contextualización en un escenario político nacional de profundas transformaciones, desde el reformismo débil que promovió una lenta extensión de derechos contra el reformismo fuerte de la restauración neoliberal. Para discutir los elementos relacionados al trabajo y a las disputas por la distribución en los recursos públicos se realizó un estudio de caso con trabajadores, gestores y consejeros de salud en dos capitales del nordeste brasileño. Los resultados ponen en evidencia el recrudecimiento del conflicto distributivo y el resultado desfavorable para los trabajadores en el contexto post-golpe parlamentario de 2016. Las dinámicas locales exponen procesos de contracción salarial e individualización de las relaciones de trabajo y la reafirmación de la meritocracia como justificativa ideológica de la precarización. A eso se contraponen los trabajadores por medio de la reafirmación de su condición colectiva de clase, en favor del beneficio derivado del PMAQ con la recomposición salarial para todos.(AU)

This article analyzes the implementation of the Program for Improving Access and Quality of Primary Care (PMAQ-AB) in the context of a national political scenario of deep transformations, from the weak reformism that promoted slow extension of rights to the strong counter-reformism of neoliberal restoration. It is a case study with health workers, managers, and counselors in two capital cities in northeastern Brazil, discussing matters of work and distributive disputes of public resources. Results show the intensification of these conflicts in health and the unfavorable outcome for workers after the parliamentary coup in 2016 political context. Local dynamics expose the wage contraction and individualization of labor relations and the reassertion of meritocracy as an ideological ground for precariousness. Workers oppose this, reaffirming their collective class condition, favoring the benefit derived from PMAQ for fully regaining their group wages.(AU)

Frequency and burden of neurological manifestations upon hospital presentation in COVID-19 patients: Findings from a large Brazilian cohort.

BACKGROUND: Scientific data regarding the prevalence of COVID-19 neurological manifestations and prognosis in Latin America countries is still lacking. Therefore, the study aims to understand neurological manifestations of SARS-CoV 2 infection and outcomes in the Brazilian population. METHODS: This study is part of the Brazilian COVID-19 Registry, a multicentric cohort, including data from 37 hospitals. For the present analysis, patients were grouped according to the presence of reported symptoms (i.e., headache; anosmia and ageusia; syncope and dizziness) vs. clinically-diagnosed neurological manifestations (clinically-defined neurological syndrome: neurological signs or diagnoses captured by clinical evaluation) and matched with patients without neurological manifestations by age, sex, number of comorbidities, hospital of admission, and whether or not patients had underlying neurological disease. RESULTS: From 6,635 hospitalized patients with COVID-19, 30.8% presented reported neurological manifestations, 10.3% were diagnosed with a neurological syndrome and 60.1% did not show any neurological manifestations. In patients with reported symptoms, the most common ones were headache (20.7%), ageusia (11.1%) and anosmia (8.0%). In patients with neurological syndromes, acute encephalopathy was the most common diagnosis (9.7%). In the matched analysis, patients with neurological syndromes presented more cases of septic shock (17.0 vs. 13.0%, p = 0.045), intensive care unit admission (45.3 vs. 38.9%, p = 0.023), and mortality (38.7 vs. 32.6%, p = 0.026; and 39.2 vs. 30.3%, p < 0.001) when compared to controls. CONCLUSION: COVID-19 in-hospital patients with clinically defined neurological syndromes presented a higher incidence of septic shock, ICU admission and death when compared to controls.

Interface Regionalização e Controle Social numa Macrorregião de Saúde

Objetivo: analisar a participação do controle social no processo de regionalização da saúde nos municípios sede de macrorregião em Pernambuco. Método: foi realizado um estudo de caso, de abordagem qualitativa. Os dados foram obtidos mediante entrevistas semiestruturada com doze conselheiros municipais de saúde e de análise documental dos relatórios das conferências municipais de saúde e das atas, resoluções e listas de frequência das reuniões das Comissões Intergestores Regional. A identificação das dimensões foi realizada mediante análise temática. Resultados: evidenciou-se o conhecimento incipiente dos conselheiros em relação aos aspectos conceituais, à sua atuação no processo de regionalização e, principalmente, aos instrumentos de planejamento regional. A ausência de espaços institucionalizados de controle social no âmbito regional de caráter regular e permanente, como fóruns, conferências e conselhos regionais e de representantes dos conselhos na Comissões Intergestores Regional repercutem nas escassas discussões acerca da regionalização. Conclusão: há necessidade de promover o empoderamento dos conselheiros com o objetivo de fortalecer o processo de regionalização.

O processo de regionalização da saúde em um estado do nordeste brasileiro / Regional health planning in Northeastern Brazil / El proceso de regionalización de los servicios de salud en un estado de la región nordeste de Brasil

A regionalização da saúde se destaca no Sistema Único de Saúde como importante estratégia para lidar com as desigualdades regionais vividas no território brasileiro. O estado da Bahia foi pioneiro na descentralização administrativa estadual no setor da saúde, além de ter sua secretaria estadual protagonista no planejamento de redes e fluxos assistenciais regionais. Este artigo apresenta discussões sobre o processo de regionalização da saúde na Bahia, após a reforma administrativa, com a extinção das diretorias regionais e a criação dos núcleos regionais. Foram realizadas entrevistas com gestores estaduais e o roteiro foi construído com base na Matriz de Avaliação da Regionalização da Saúde (Mars), organizada a partir dos seguintes níveis de análise: governo, gestão e assistência. Esta pesquisa foi alicerçada na abordagem qualitativa e as categorias temáticas foram estabelecidas e fundamentadas no método analítico da análise de conteúdo. Os resultados e as discussões apontam o cenário encontrado no período pesquisado, bem como a ambiguidade da regionalização no estado; as estratégias identificadas como potentes para as regiões de saúde; e os avanços necessários para operacionalizar a regionalização. Os indicativos para o avanço da estratégia no estado estão articulados com a participação dos conselhos de saúde; a atenção básica e a conformação das redes de atenção à saúde; os instrumentos e espaços de gestão; e os recursos envolvidos. As discussões suscitadas nesta pesquisa buscam contribuir para o processo de regionalização, auxiliando na análise crítica do cenário da saúde pública da Bahia.

Within the Unified Health System, regional health planning constitutes an important strategy to address the regional inequalities experienced across the territory. The state of Bahia was a pioneer in decentralizing state health administration and in having its State Department play a major role in planning regional health networks and flows. This qualitative study analyzes the process of regional health planning in Bahia, after the administrative reform which dissolved the regional directorates and created regional centers. Interviews were conducted with state managers following a script based on the Regional Health Planning Evaluation Matrix (MARS), organized from the following levels of analysis: government, management and care. Thematic categories were established and investigated using Content Analysis. The results and discussion point to an ambiguity in the state's regional planning, to important strategies for healthcare regions, and to the necessary advancements to operationalize regional planning. The latter requires the participation of health councils, primary health care, the formation of health networks, management tools and spaces and the related resources. The issues addressed here aim to contribute with the regional health planning process, collaborating with the critical analysis of the current public health scenario.

La regionalización de los servicios de salud es una importante estrategia en el Sistema Único de Salud (SUS) para hacer frente a las desigualdades regionales en salud en el territorio brasileño. El estado de Bahía fue pionero en la descentralización administrativa de los servicios de salud en el estado, además de mantener el protagonismo de la Secretaría de Estado cuanto a la planificación de redes y flujos de asistencia regional. Este artículo presenta discusiones sobre el proceso de regionalización de la salud en Bahía, después de la reforma administrativa, con extinción de las juntas regionales y con la creación regional de núcleos regionales. Se realizaron entrevistas con administradores del estado, y el guion de la entrevista se basó en la Matriz de Evaluación de Regionalización en Salud (MARS), que utiliza los siguientes niveles de análisis: gobierno, gestión y asistencia. Esta investigación tiene un enfoque cualitativo, y las categorías temáticas fueron construidas utilizando el método de análisis de contenido. Los resultados muestran el escenario encontrado en el período investigado; la ambigüedad de la regionalización en el estado; las poderosas estrategias para las regiones de salud; y los avances necesarios para poner en práctica la regionalización. Las indicaciones para el avance de la estrategia en el estado están vinculadas a la participación de los consejos de salud, la atención primaria y la formación de redes de servicios de salud, los instrumentos y espacios de gestión, y los recursos involucrados. Las discusiones resultantes de la investigación buscan contribuir al proceso de regionalización, ayudando en el análisis crítico del escenario de salud pública.

Pay for performance in primary care: the contribution of the Programme for Improving Access and Quality of Primary Care (PMAQ) on avoidable hospitalisations in Brazil, 2009-2018.

BACKGROUND: Evidence on the effect of pay-for-performance (P4P) schemes on provider performance is mixed in low-income and middle-income countries. Brazil introduced its first national-level P4P scheme in 2011 (PMAQ-Brazilian National Programme for Improving Primary Care Access and Quality). PMAQ is likely one of the largest P4P schemes in the world. We estimate the association between PMAQ and hospitalisations for ambulatory care sensitive conditions (ACSCs) based on a panel of 5564 municipalities. METHODS: We conducted a fixed effect panel data analysis over the period of 2009-2018, controlling for coverage of primary healthcare, hospital beds per 10 000 population, education, real gross domestic product per capita and population density. The outcome is the hospitalisation rate for ACSCs among people aged 64 years and under per 10 000 population. Our exposure variable is defined as the percentage of family health teams participating in PMAQ, which captures the roll-out of PMAQ over time. We also provided several sensitivity analyses, by using alternative measures of the exposure and outcome variables, and a placebo test using transport accident hospitalisations instead of ACSCs. RESULTS: The results show a negative and statistically significant association between the rollout of PMAQ and ACSC rates for all age groups. An increase in PMAQ participating of one percentage point decreased the hospitalisation rate for ACSC by 0.0356 (SE 0.0123, p=0.004) per 10 000 population (aged 0-64 years). This corresponds to a reduction of approximately 60 829 hospitalisations in 2018. The impact is stronger for children under 5 years (-0.0940, SE 0.0375, p=0.012), representing a reduction of around 11 936 hospitalisations. Our placebo test shows that the association of PMAQ on the hospitalisation rate for transport accidents is not statistically significant, as expected. CONCLUSION: We find that PMAQ was associated with a modest reduction in hospitalisation for ACSCs.

Teleconsultation in the prevention and control of older persons' health with regard to the COVID-19 pandemic: study protoco / Teleconsulta para prevenção e controle da saúde do idoso frente à pandemia de COVID-19: protocolo do estudo

OBJECTIVE: To report the following study protocol: "Prevention program for older persons' health care focusing on the COVID-19 pandemic in the city of Recife ­ PE." METHODS: An action research study will be conducted with 151 older people of both sexes residing in the 8 health districts of Recife, Brazil. A teleconsultation service will be used to converse with participants. Activities will be organized into 2 moments: diagnosis and intervention. A guided conversation strategy will be used, dealing with issues related to coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) prevention; social isolation; thoughts, emotions, and spirituality; family and community support; and personal development and ground rules for everyday life. The intervention with each older person will happen weekly for 12 weeks and will be characterized by listening to them and exchanging knowledge with the aim of bonding and optimizing adherence and compliance to COVID-19 prevention and control measures. Our data analysis will follow 3 approaches: cross-sectional (multivariate regression model), quasi-experimental (analysis of standardized residuals), and qualitative (interview and content analysis). EXPECTED RESULTS AND RELEVANCE: The construction of scientific knowledge is a key strategy when faced with the great challenge to global collective health presented by the COVID-19 pandemic. Data generated in this study may contribute to the improvement of knowledge, attitudes, and preventive practices, as well as to a good acceptance of the prevention program by older participants.'

OBJETIVO: Apresentar o protocolo "Programa de prevenção para a saúde do idoso com foco na pandemia de COVID-19 no município do Recife ­ PE". METODOLOGIA: Um estudo de pesquisa-ação será conduzido com 151 idosos de ambos os sexos que residem nos 8 distritos sanitários de Recife, Brasil. Um serviço de teleconsulta será usado para comunicação com os participantes. As atividades serão organizadas em 2 momentos: diagnóstico e intervenção. Uma estratégia de conversa guiada será adotada para com os idosos, tratando de temas relacionados à prevenção de COVID-19; isolamento social; pensamentos, emoções e espiritualidade; família e suporte comunitário; desenvolvimento pessoal; e regras básicas para o cotidiano. A intervenção com cada idoso ocorrerá uma vez por semana por 12 semanas, sendo caracterizada pela escuta e troca de conhecimentos com o objetivo de gerar um vínculo e otimizar a aderência e observância de medidas de prevenção e controle de COVID-19. A análise de dados seguirá 3 abordagens: transversal (modelo de regressão multivariada), quase-experimental (análise de resíduos padronizados), e qualitativa (entrevista e análise de conteúdo). RESULTADOS ESPERADOS E RELEVÂNCIA: A construção do conhecimento científico é uma estratégia chave frente ao grande desafio para a saúde coletiva global representado pela pandemia de COVID-19. Dados gerados por este estudo podem contribuir para a melhoria do conhecimento, atitudes, e medidas de prevenção, além de uma boa aceitação do programa de prevenção por parte dos participantes idosos.

Life stories of elderly women with cervical cancer: a look beyond getting sick / Histórias de vida de mulheres idosas com câncer de colo do útero: um olhar para além do adoecer

Abstract Chronic degenerative illnesses have currently taken on a great predominance at the epidemiological profile, by affecting specially the elderly population. Among such diseases, Cancer has been studied through the broadening of information, which brought scientific advancement for the disease care. However, such topics constantly focus on statistic data, setting the lifetime story of those people aside. This paper aimed at understanding the process of sickness among elderly women and its development up to the diagnostics of uterus cancer through getting closer to their lifetime stories. It is about a qualitative research whose methodology used was that of life history. The methodological choice aimed at providing an intersection in the lives of different women, giving visibility to their memories. Five elderly women between 62 and 89 years old participated in the research, which turns into distinctive lifetime stories, with their singularities, though they interweave before the hard reality faced by them along their aging. Their relationship with their getting-sick development is surrounded by fear into different ways. It is necessary, therefore, to look to the elderly women uniquely, regarding the social relations that interfere during their lives and determine their aging.

Resumo As doenças crônico-degenerativas assumem grande predominância no perfil epidemiológico, acometendo a população idosa. Entre essas doenças, o câncer tem sido estudado, ampliando as informações e trazendo avanço científico no cuidado à doença, contudo, as publicações constantemente centram-se nos dados estatísticos, deixando de lado a história de vida dessa população. O presente artigo objetivou compreender a relação com o processo de adoecimento de mulheres idosas em seguimento para o câncer do colo do útero, por meio da aproximação com as suas histórias de vida. Trata-se de um estudo qualitativo, cujo método utilizado foi o da história de vida. A escolha metodológica visou proporcionar um encontro com a vida de diferentes mulheres, dando visibilidade às suas memórias. Participaram da pesquisa cinco mulheres idosas com idade entre 62-89 anos, resultando em diferentes histórias de vida, com suas singularidades, mas que se entremeiam diante da dura realidade enfrentada por elas ao longo de seu processo de envelhecimento. A relação delas com o processo de adoecimento é permeada pelo medo em diferentes dimensões. Conclui-se que há necessidade de um olhar diferenciado para a mulher idosa, considerando as relações sociais que interferem no curso de sua vida e determinam a sua velhice.

Cost analysis in a Traditional, Complementary and Integrative Medicine unit in Brazil.

OBJECTIVE: To analyze the costs of a specialized service in Traditional Complementary and Integrative Medicines (TCIM) in Northeast Brazil to provide data on the cost linked to the implementation and maintenance of services of this nature and to identify the average cost per user for the Unified Health System. METHODS: This is a partial, descriptive, quantitative economic assessment, which used secondary data, later grouped in Microsoft Excel spreadsheets. The method used to analyze such costs was absorption costing, from which the service was divided into three costing centers: productive, administrative and auxiliary. RESULTS: After analyzing the data, the total cost of the service in 2014 was estimated at R$ 1,270,015.70, with a proportion of 79.69% of direct costs. The average cost per user in this period was R$ 36.79, considering the total of 34,521 users in individual and collective practices. CONCLUSIONS: The service has a cost per user compatible with a specialized service; however, TCIM offers a comprehensive and holistic approach, which can have a positive impact on quality of life.

Fatores de postergação da aposentadoria de idosos: revisão integrativa da literatura / Elderly retirement postponement factors: an integrative literature review

Resumo O presente estudo objetivou a busca de evidências científicas publicadas em estudos analíticos que versam sobre fatores de postergação da aposentadoria de trabalhadores idosos. Foi realizada uma revisão integrativa da literatura com busca de artigos originais nas bases da Biblioteca Virtual de Saúde e SciELO no período de janeiro/2009 a março/2018. Foram selecionados 12 artigos após consenso de revisores independentes gerando duas categorias: Literatura Nacional e Literatura Internacional. Tal escolha foi porque o fenômeno do envelhecimento populacional acarreta impactos sociais e econômicos diferentes entre as nações desenvolvidas e naquelas em desenvolvimento, como o Brasil. Na análise dos resultados encontramos que a decisão de aposentadoria dos idosos envolve uma variedade de fatores pessoais, organizacionais e outros (legislativos, culturais, sociopolíticos e tecnológicos). Em conclusão constatamos a escassez de estudos na temática com amostras exclusivasde idosos em ambas as categorias, assim como a maior ou menor relevância de determinado fator dependerá do contexto de vida de cada trabalhador. Além do mais, como a decisão de aposentadoria é um processo dinâmico, existe carência de estudos longitudinais que necessitam ser supridos com pesquisas mais robustas nacionais da população idosa.

Abstract This study aimed to search for scientific evidence published in analytical studies which address elderly workers' retirement postponement factors. An integrative literature review was performed searching for papers in Virtual Health Library (BVS) and SciELO databases from January 2009 to March 2018. Twelve papers were selected following consensus by independent reviewers, generating two categories: National Literature and International Literature. We chose this subject because the phenomenon of population aging entails different social and economic impacts between developed and developing nations, such as Brazil. In the analysis of the results, we found that elderly retirement decision involves a variety of personal, organizational and other factors (legislative, cultural, socio-political, technological). In conclusion, we note scarcity of studies on the subject, with exclusive samples of older adults in both categories, as well as that the greater or lesser relevance of a given factor will depend on the life context of each worker. Moreover, since retirement decision is a dynamic process, there is a shortage of longitudinal studies that need to be met with more robust national surveys of the elderly population.

Elderly retirement postponement factors: an integrative literature review. / Fatores de postergação da aposentadoria de idosos: revisão integrativa da literatura.

This study aimed to search for scientific evidence published in analytical studies which address elderly workers' retirement postponement factors. An integrative literature review was performed searching for papers in Virtual Health Library (BVS) and SciELO databases from January 2009 to March 2018. Twelve papers were selected following consensus by independent reviewers, generating two categories: National Literature and International Literature. We chose this subject because the phenomenon of population aging entails different social and economic impacts between developed and developing nations, such as Brazil. In the analysis of the results, we found that elderly retirement decision involves a variety of personal, organizational and other factors (legislative, cultural, socio-political, technological). In conclusion, we note scarcity of studies on the subject, with exclusive samples of older adults in both categories, as well as that the greater or lesser relevance of a given factor will depend on the life context of each worker. Moreover, since retirement decision is a dynamic process, there is a shortage of longitudinal studies that need to be met with more robust national surveys of the elderly population.

O presente estudo objetivou a busca de evidências científicas publicadas em estudos analíticos que versam sobre fatores de postergação da aposentadoria de trabalhadores idosos. Foi realizada uma revisão integrativa da literatura com busca de artigos originais nas bases da Biblioteca Virtual de Saúde e SciELO no período de janeiro/2009 a março/2018. Foram selecionados 12 artigos após consenso de revisores independentes gerando duas categorias: Literatura Nacional e Literatura Internacional. Tal escolha foi porque o fenômeno do envelhecimento populacional acarreta impactos sociais e econômicos diferentes entre as nações desenvolvidas e naquelas em desenvolvimento, como o Brasil. Na análise dos resultados encontramos que a decisão de aposentadoria dos idosos envolve uma variedade de fatores pessoais, organizacionais e outros (legislativos, culturais, sociopolíticos e tecnológicos). Em conclusão constatamos a escassez de estudos na temática com amostras exclusivasde idosos em ambas as categorias, assim como a maior ou menor relevância de determinado fator dependerá do contexto de vida de cada trabalhador. Além do mais, como a decisão de aposentadoria é um processo dinâmico, existe carência de estudos longitudinais que necessitam ser supridos com pesquisas mais robustas nacionais da população idosa.

Cervical cancer prevention in Pernambuco: improvements for whom? Inequity scenario in the state of the Northeast Region / Prevenção do câncer do colo do útero: avanços para quem? Um retrato da iniquidade em estado da Região Nordeste

Abstract Objectives: to analyze the access to cervical cancer preventive examination in Pernambuco between 2002 and 2015 by cytopathological exam coverage. Methods: public data from SUS Computer Department were used, then processed by Tabnet and Excel and calculated the slope of the over time coefficient trend by simple regression techniques. Afterwards, they were plotted in thematic maps covering cytopathological exams on Terraview app 4.2.2. Results: Pernambuco State presented an increase of exam coverage trend in all the health regions until 2010. Since that year it started to have stabilization and decreased the tendency. Comparing the coverage of the two first years, in 2002, 42.7% of the cities coverage was below 0.2 and in 2015 the scenario changed, 41.1% of the cities coverage was above 0.6. We emphasize that even in that same year 13.5% of the cities still had a low or too low coverage (less than 0.4). The over time trends in increase and decline were strongly meaningful. Conclusions: this study revealed that all health regions presented a coverage lower than recommended, in some period or in all of them, even with the State growth tendency it demonstrated an unequal and heterogeneous characteristic.

Resumo Objetivos: analisar o acesso ao exame preventivo para o câncer de colo do útero em Pernambuco, entre 2002 e 2015, por meio da cobertura do citopatológico. Métodos: foram utilizados dados de domínio público do Departamento de Informática do SUS, processados no Tabnet e Excel® e calculados os coeficientes de inclinação de tendência temporal, por meio de técnicas de regressão simples. Por fim, foram plotados em mapas temáticos de cobertura de exames citopatológicos no aplicativo Terraview 4.2.2. Resultados: Pernambuco apresentou aumento na tendência de cobertura ao exame para todas as regiões de saúde até 2010. A partir deste ano, apresentou uma tendência de estabilização e diminuição. Ao comparar a cobertura no primeiro e no último ano, em 2002 42,7% dos municípios estavam com cobertura abaixo de 0.2 e em 2015 o cenário muda para 41,1% de municípios com cobertura acima 0.6. Destaca-se que neste mesmo ano 13,5% dos municípios ainda apresentavam uma cobertura baixa e muito baixa (<0.4). Tendências temporais de crescimento e decréscimo tiveram forte significância. Conclusões: todas as regiões de saúde apresentaram cobertura inferior ao preconizado, em algum período ou em todos, mesmo com a tendência estadual de crescimento, demonstrando uma característica heterogênea e desigual.