Adherence to health regimens among frequent attenders of Finnish healthcare.

OBJECTIVES: The aim of the study was to describe adherence to health regimens and the factors associated with it among adult frequent attenders (FAs). DESIGN: This was a cross-sectional study. The study sample consisted of 462 healthcare FAs in 7 municipal health centres in northern Finland. An FA is a person who has had 8 or more outpatient visits to a GP (in a health centre) or 4 or more outpatient visits to a university hospital during 1 year. The main outcome was self-reported adherence to health regimens. RESULTS: Of the FAs, 82% adhered well to their health regimens. Carrying out self-care, medical care and feeling responsible for self-care were the most significant predictors to good adherence in all models. No significant differences in adherence were found in male and female subjects, age groups or educational levels. Support from healthcare providers and support from relatives were not significant predictors of good adherence. CONCLUSION: FAs in Finland adhere well to health regimens and exceptionally well to medication. Variables that predict the best adherence of FAs to health regimens are carrying out self-care, receiving medical care and feeling responsible for self-care.

Saúde e dietética na medicina preventiva medieval: o regimento de saúde de Pedro Hispano (século XIII) / Health and dietetics in medieval preventive medicine: the health regimen of Peter of Spain (thirteenth century)

Analisa o Livro sobre a conservação da saúde, obra médica preventiva, composta no século XIII pelo físico/médico português Pedro Hispano (1210-1277), que nos permite observar as concepções de saúde e higiene e compreender o papel social dos físicos universitários na medicina preventiva medieval. A obra mostra sempre a noção de equilíbrio na saúde corporal entre os elementos internos, as coisas naturais (compleição, por exemplo), e os externos, as coisas não naturais (ar, sono, exercício, alimentos, banhos, paixões da alma).