Validation of a Satisfaction Scale with a Telemedicine COVID-19 Service: Satis-COVID.

Objectives: Despite being a widespread tool, telehealth was significantly incorporated during the COVID-19 pandemic period, but it still lacks analysis methodologies, greater digital security, and satisfaction assessment instruments that are still little explored and validated. The objective is to assess user satisfaction through the validation of a satisfaction scale with a telemedicine COVID-19 service (TeleCOVID). Methods: Cross-sectional study of a cohort of confirmed COVID-19 cases evaluated and monitored by the TeleCOVID team. To study the scale's measurement qualities, a factorial analysis was performed to test the validity of the construct. Correlation between items and the global scale was assessed using Spearman's correlation coefficient, and the instrument's internal consistency was assessed using Cronbach's alpha coefficient. Results: There were 1,181 respondents evaluating the care received from the TeleCOVID project. A total of 61.6% were female, and 62.4% aged between 30 and 59 years. The correlation coefficients indicated a good correlation between the items present in the instrument. The internal consistency of the global scale was high (Cronbach's alpha = 0.903) and the item-total correlations for the scale ranged from 0.563 to 0.820. The average overall user satisfaction was 4.58, based upon a 5-point Likert scale where 5 is the highest level of satisfaction. Conclusions: The results presented here show how much telehealth can contribute to improving access, resolutibility, and quality of care to the population in general in Public Health Care. In view of the results found, it can be said that the TeleCOVID team offered excellent care and fulfilled its proposed objectives. The scale fulfills its objective of evaluating the quality of teleservice, bringing good results in terms of validity and reliability, in addition to showing high levels of user satisfaction.

Distúrbio mineral e ósseo: prevalência subestimada nos estágios iniciais da doença renal crônica / Mineral and bone disorder: underestimated prevalence in the early stages of chronic kidney disease / Trastorno mineral y óseo: prevalencia subestimada en las primeras fases de la enfermedad renal crónica

Introdução: o objetivo foi avaliar a prevalência do distúrbio mineral e ósseo em pacientes com doença renal crônica e a associação entre Taxa de Filtração Glomerular estimada (TFGe) e os indicadores do distúrbio mineral e ósseo (DMO) (cálcio, fósforo e PTH) em pacientes renais crônicos não dialíticos. Materiais e Métodos: estudo seccional da linha de base de uma coorte de dois anos, com adultos e idosos renais crônicos em tratamento conservador. Para identificação do DMO utilizamos os seguintes valores séricos: PTH (> 150 pg/mL) e/ou hipocalcemia (Ca < 8,8mg/dl) e/ou hiperfosfatemia (P > 4,6 mg/dl). Na análise estatística utilizou-se: regressão de Poisson; T de Student, Mann Whitney e correlações de Pearson e Spearman. Nível de significância foi de 5%. Resultados: prevalência de DMO de 54,6% (n=41) (IC 95%: 43,45 - 65,43). A maior prevalência de DMO foi em pessoas do sexo feminino, alfabetizadas, idosas, não etilistas, não tabagistas, sedentárias e de cor de pele branca, porém, sem diferença estatística entre os grupos com e sem DMO. As correlações entre P e PTH com TFGe foram significativas, inversas, de força moderada (p= <0,005 e p = 0,003; coeficientes de correlação = - 0,312 e - 0,379 respectivamente). Discussão:os achados desse estudo mostraram que existe uma lacuna no acompanhamento do DMO-DRC pela atenção primária e a prática clínica deve ser revista. Conclusão:identificou-se prevalência robusta de DMO nos estágios precoces da DRC, além de correlações significativas entre o aumento dos níveis de fósforo e PTH e piora das funções renais.

Introduction: mineral and bone disorder (BMD) is a serious complication of chronic kidney disease (CKD) that increases risks for death from cardiovascular causes and impairs quality of life of affected patients. Objetive: to evaluate the prevalence of BMD in patients with CKD and the association between estimated Glomerular Filtration Rate (eGFR) and BMD indicators (calcium, phosphorus and PTH) in non-dialysis patients. Materials and Methods:sectional study of a two-year cohort of chronic renal adults and elderly patients on conservative treatment. BMD was identified by serum values of: PTH (> 150 pg/mL) and/or hypocalcemia (Ca < 8.8mg/dl) and/or hyperphosphatemia (P > 4.6 mg/dl). The statistical analysis used: Poisson regression; Student's T, Mann Whitney and Pearson and Spearman correlations with 5% significance level. Results:BMD prevalence was 54.6% (n=41) (95% CI: 43.45 - 65.43), more frequent in women, literate, elderly, non-drinkers, non-smokers, sedentary and white skin color. Correlations between P and PTH with GFRe were significant, inverse, moderate strength (p= <0.005 and p = 0.003; correlation coefficients = - 0.312 and - 0.379 respectively). Discussion: the findings of this study highlighted gaps in the monitoring of BMD-DRC by primary care, requiring a review of clinical practices. Conclusion: robust prevalence of BMD in the early stages of CKD was identified, in addition to correlations between increased phosphorus and PTH levels and worsening kidney function.

Introducciòn: el trastorno mineral y óseo (TMO) es una complicación grave de la enfermedad renal crónica (ERC) que aumenta el riesgo de muerte por causas cardiovasculares y deteriora la calidad de vida de los pacientes afectados. Objetivo: evaluar la prevalencia de la DMO en pacientes con RDC y la asociación entre la tasa de filtración glomerular estimada (TFGe) y los indicadores de DMO (calcio, fósforo y PTH) en pacientes no dialíticos. Materiales y Métodos: estudio seccional de una cohorte de dos años de pacientes renales crónicos adultos y ancianos en tratamiento conservador. La DMO se identificó por los valores séricos de: PTH (> 150 pg/mL) y/o hipocalcemia (Ca < 8,8mg/dl) y/o hiperfosfatemia (P > 4,6 mg/dl). El análisis estadístico utilizado: regresión de Poisson; T de Student, Mann Whitney y correlaciones de Pearson y Spearman con un nivel de significación del 5%. Resultados: la prevalencia de DMO fue del 54,6% (n=41) (IC 95%: 43,45 - 65,43), más frecuente en mujeres, alfabetizadas, de edad avanzada, no bebedoras, no fumadoras, sedentarias y de color de piel blanca. Las correlaciones entre el P y la PTH con el GFRe fueron significativas, inversas, de fuerza moderada (p= <0,005 y p = 0,003; coeficientes de correlación = - 0,312 y - 0,379 respectivamente). Discusión: los resultados de este estudio evidencian lagunas en el seguimiento de la DMO-DRC por parte de la atención primaria, lo que requiere una revisión de las prácticas clínicas. Conclusión: se identificó una fuerte prevalencia de la DMO en las primeras fases de la ERC, además de correlaciones entre el aumento de los niveles de fósforo y PTH y el empeoramiento de la función renal.

The Experience of a Sustainable Large Scale Brazilian Telehealth Network.

BACKGROUND: In Brazil, the majority of healthcare resources are concentrated in the largest cities, whereas most communities lack proper healthcare assistance in primary care and have difficulties accessing specialists and diagnostic examinations. Considering this, the Telehealth Network of Minas Gerais (TNMG) was created. It is a public telehealth initiative that provides support to primary healthcare (PHC), performing teleconsultation and telediagnosis (electrocardiogram [ECG], Holter, ambulatory blood pressure monitoring, spirometry, and retinography analysis) mainly for small and remote cities in the state of Minas Gerais, Brazil. PURPOSE: To describe the successful experience of the TNMG in 10 years of activities. METHODS: The TNMG was created in 2005 and supported PHC in 82 cities as a research project and was progressively expanded. A methodology for implementation and maintenance was developed, including quality control. Nowadays it provides support to 750 cities, 88.0% of Minas Gerais state. The examinations performed by the PHC team, with additional basic clinical data, are transmitted through the Internet to the TNMG specialists for remote interpretation. The TNMG teleconsultations system has been used by the PHC team to address written clinical questions to university staff. RESULTS: Until December 2015, 2,464,999 ECGs and 73,698 teleconsultations have already been performed: on average, 2,000 ECGs and 40 teleconsultations per day in 2015. More than 95% of users have declared to be satisfied or very satisfied with the service. A recent cost-benefit analysis of the project showed that for each dollar invested, 6.1 dollars are saved as a consequence of patient referral reduction. CONCLUSIONS: The TNMG is a successful example of a sustainable telehealth service, integrated to primary care centers of remote and small cities. It overcomes geographical barriers to provide specialized healthcare, reducing the number of unnecessary referrals, and contributing to improve the case-resolving capacity and the quality of the PHC.