Telemedicine in the National Immunization Program (Brazil): A promising tool.

The coronavirus disease 2019 pandemic abruptly changed the dynamics of basic health care, with the consequent need for adjustments in essential services. The objective of this study was to evaluate the acceptance and impact of telemedicine at a Reference Center for Special Immunobiologicals (CRIE). Methods: Patients aged 18 years or older who had a medical referral to CRIE and agreed to have a telemedicine consultation were included. After the medical appointments, participants answered a satisfaction survey. Results: From April 2021 to February 2022, 702 telemedicine consultation were conducted. Over 3,380 vaccines were prescribed via telemedicine. Of all the participants who answered the satisfaction questionnaire, 99.8% stated that they would recommend the service to other people. Conclusions: Telemedicine proved to be promising tool for healthcare at CRIE and had good acceptance by users, potentially improving access and extending the reach of the National Immunization Program.

A prospective, multicentre, cohort study to assess the incidence of dengue illness in households from selected communities in Brazil (2014-2018).

OBJECTIVES: To estimate the incidence of dengue infection across geographically distinct areas of Brazil. METHODS: This prospective, household-based, cohort study enrolled participants in five areas and followed them up for up to 4 years (2014-2018). Dengue seroprevalence was assessed at each scheduled visit. Suspected dengue cases were identified through enhanced passive and active surveillance. Acute symptomatic dengue infection was confirmed through reverse-transcriptase quantitative polymerase chain reaction in combination with an antigenic assay (non-structural protein 1) and serology. RESULTS: Among 3300 participants enrolled, baseline seroprevalence was 76.2%, although only 23.3% of participants reported a history of dengue. Of 1284 suspected symptomatic dengue cases detected, 50 (3.9%) were laboratory-confirmed. Based on 8166.5 person-years (PY) of follow-up, the incidence of laboratory-confirmed symptomatic infection (primary endpoint) was 6.1 per 1000 PY (95% confidence interval [CI]: 4.5, 8.1). Incidence varied substantially in different years (1.8-7.4 per 1000 PY). The incidence of inapparent primary dengue infection was substantially higher: 41.7 per 1000 PY (95% CI: 31.1, 54.6). CONCLUSIONS: Our findings, highlighting that the incidence of dengue infection is underestimated in Brazil, will inform the design and implementation of future dengue vaccine trials. CLINICAL TRIAL REGISTRATION: NCT01751139.

[The daily activity of the nurse in clinical research: an experience report]. / O cotidiano do enfermeiro em pesquisa clínica: um relato de experiência.

The present study is a report on the authors' experience working nurses in a randomized, blinded, phase III clinical trial, developed at Escola Nacional de Saúde Pública Sérgio Arouca/FIOCRUZ/RJ. This study describes the participation of nurses in the implementation of a clinical trial, highlighting their importance in this new field of work. The authors state the rigorous implementation of the clinical trial by the nurse, aiming to prevent errors, biases and failures; as well as the commitment to the authenticity of data collection, attention and respect to the rights and welfare of the study subjects. Nurses are not only able to perform with quality their usual patient-related tasks, but also research activities in health science, such as participating in clinical trials, monitoring, supervision and professional training.