Comunicação de más notícias no trabalho médico: um olhar do paciente com prognóstico reservado / Communication of bad news in the medical work: a look at the patient with poor prognosis / Comunicar malas noticias en el trabajo médico: la perspectiva de un paciente con pronóstico reservado

Resumo O processo de comunicação é central na relação médico-paciente. É fato que para evitar distanásia deve se dispor dos cuidados paliativos como alternativa. Assim, objetivou-se avaliar a qualidade da comunicação de más notícias realizadas por médicos, na perspectiva de pacientes em processo de finitude, comparando seus índices entre aqueles em cuidados paliativos e em distanásia. Realizou-se uma pesquisa quantitativa, com amostra não probabilística, formada por 234 pacientes com câncer em processo de finitude, oriundos de cinco unidades hospitalares do Ceará, que responderam a dois questionários - um biodemográfico e outro de avaliação da comunicação, analisados por meio de estatística descritiva e bivariada. Os resultados demonstraram a importância da relação médico-paciente. Enquanto os pacientes em distanásia expressaram terem sido melhor preparados para o estabelecimento de uma adequada comunicação, os que estavam em cuidados paliativos relataram uma experiência menos negativa em relação à 'comunicação de más notícias' - fruto de um adequado preparo do médico paliativista, bem como da participação efetiva da família na decisão terapêutica. Conclui-se que as etapas de preparação para a comunicação, transmissão da informação, acolhimento e fechamento devem estar baseadas na identificação do conteúdo prévio dos pacientes sobre a doença e suas expectativas de informação.

Abstract The communication process is central to the doctor-patient relationship. It is a fact that to avoid dysthanasia, palliative care must be available as an alternative. Thus, the objective was to evaluate the quality of bad news communication performed by physicians from the perspective of patients in the process of finitude, comparing their rates between those in palliative care and those in dysthanasia. A quantitative research was carried out, with a non-probabilistic sample, made up of 234 cancer patients in the process of dying, coming from five hospital units in the state of Ceará, Brazil, who answered two questionnaires-one biodemographic and the other assessing communication, analyzed by means of descriptive and bivariate statistics. The results demonstrated the importance of the doctor-patient relationship. While dysthanasia patients expressed that they were better prepared for establishing adequate communication, those in palliative care reported a less negative experience regarding "communicating bad news"-the result of adequate preparation by the palliative care physician as well as effective family participation in the therapeutic decision. It is concluded that the steps of preparation for communication, transmission of information, reception and closure should be based on identifying the patients' prior content about the disease and their expectations of information.

Resumen El proceso de comunicación es central en la relación médico-paciente. Es un hecho que, para evitar la distanasia, los cuidados paliativos deben estar disponibles como alternativa. Así, el objetivo fue evaluar la calidad de la comunicación de malas noticias realizada por médicos, desde la perspectiva de pacientes en proceso de finitud, comparando sus índices entre aquellos en cuidados paliativos y en distanasia. Se realizó una investigación cuantitativa, con una muestra no probabilística, formada por 234 pacientes con cáncer en proceso de finitud, provenientes de cinco unidades hospitalarias de Ceará, Brasil, que respondieron dos cuestionarios - uno biodemográfico y otro para evaluar la comunicación, analizados a través de estadísticas descriptivas y bivariadas. Los resultados demostraron la importancia de la relación médico-paciente. Mientras los pacientes en distanasia expresaron haber estado mejor preparados para el establecimiento de una comunicación adecuada, los de cuidados paliativos relataron una experiencia menos negativa en relación a la 'comunicación de malas noticias' - resultado de la adecuada preparación del médico de cuidados paliativos, así como de la participación efectiva de la familia en la decisión terapéutica. Se concluye que las etapas de preparación para la comunicación, transmisión de la información, recepción y cierre deben basarse en la identificación del contenido previo de los pacientes sobre la enfermedad y sus expectativas de información.

Women's (limited) agency over their sexual bodies: Contesting contraceptive recommendations in Brazil.

Unintended pregnancies constitute a serious public health concern in Brazil, representing up to 55% of all pregnancies, and are prevalent among women with low income and low educational backgrounds. Lack of assistance to women in their decision-making has hindered the adoption of more effective contraceptive models. Although clinical consultations constitute an important locus to assist women in decision-making and to facilitate access to subsidized methods, our current knowledge of how contraception is discussed and decisions are reached in actual consultations is limited. Just as scarce is our knowledge of how patients respond and resist contraception recommendations and how physicians counter or accommodate patients. Using a corpus of 103 audio-recorded medical visits and conversation analytic (CA) methods, this paper examines recommendation sequences in the under-investigated gynecological consultations in the Brazilian public healthcare system (SUS). The quantitative analysis reveals a strong orientation to physicians as having primary rights to govern the oversight of women's bodies: 94% of the recommendations are delivered as pronouncements (e.g., "You'll take X″), the most authoritative action type. Patients largely assume an agreeable and passive role (66%), leading to scarce negotiation and minimal involvement in decision-making. However, in a few cases (12%), all involving contraception, patients become overtly agentive, responding with active resistance. A qualitative analysis of that subset shows that despite women's gaining some agency over their sexual bodies, that agency is still limited. Whereas physicians accommodate patient resistance on grounds of biomedically-related side-effects and incorrect assumptions about the women's lives, they overlook patient resistance based on gendered struggles over contraceptive methods in the domestic sphere. By failing to consider women's lack of agency in choosing whether to have sex or to use condoms, doctors show unawareness of significant consequences of the recommended method, which might include domestic dispute and violence and, paradoxically, ultimately misfire, leading to unwanted pregnancy.

Clinician Use of HIV-Related Infographics During Clinic Visits in the Dominican Republic is Associated with Lower Viral Load and Other Improvements in Health Outcomes.

We designed an infographic intervention to help clinicians provide health information to persons living with HIV. In this study, we assessed the extent to which our intervention may improve objectively and subjectively measured health outcomes (CD4 count, viral load, and engagement with clinician among others) when integrated into routine visits in the Dominican Republic. In this pretest-posttest study, we followed participants for 9 months at 3-month intervals. Physicians administered the intervention during participants' first 3 visits. Outcome measures, selected using a conceptual model, were assessed at 4 time points. We assessed changes in outcomes over time with general linear regressions and Wilcoxon Signed-Rank tests. Participants (N = 50) were mostly female (56%) and had been living with HIV for a mean of 6.3 years (SD = 6.1). All outcomes, except CD4 count, demonstrated statistically significant improvements by study end. This provides preliminary evidence our intervention may improve outcomes, but further testing is needed.

RESUMEN: Diseñamos una intervención infográfica para ayudar a los médicos brindar información médica a personas viviendo con el VIH. En este estudio, evaluamos en qué medida nuestra intervención puede mejorar los resultados de salud (conteo de CD4, carga viral, y compromiso con el médico entre otros), medidos de una manera objetiva y subjetiva, cuando se incorpora en las visitas médicas de rutina en la República Dominicana. En este estudio de prueba previo y posterior, seguimos los participantes durante 9 meses a intervalos de 3 meses. Los médicos administraron la intervención durante las primeras 3 visitas de los participantes. Seleccionamos las medidas de resultado utilizando un marco conceptual y las evaluamos en los 4 puntos de tiempo. Evaluamos cambios a lo largo del tiempo usando regresiones lineales generales y pruebas de asociación de Wilcoxon Signed-Rank. Los participantes (N = 50) fueron mayormente mujeres (56%) y habían estado viviendo con el VIH durante una media de 6,3 años (DE = 6,1). Todos los resultados, aparte del conteo de CD4, demostraron mejoras estadísticamente significativas al final del estudio. Esto proporciona evidencia preliminar de que nuestra intervención puede mejorar los resultados de la salud, pero se justifican pruebas adicionales.

Uso de medicina complementaria y alternativa y su asociación con la relación médico-paciente en enfermos con artritis reumatoide / Association between physician-patient relationship and the use of complementary and alternative medicine in patients with rheumatoid arthritis

RESUMEN Introducción: El uso de medicina complementaria y alternativa (MCA) en pacientes con enfermedades reumáticas es prevalente pero la comunicación con el reumatólogo suele ser deficiente, lo cual afecta la relación médico-paciente (RMP). Objetivos: Evaluar la asociación entre el uso de MCA y la RMP en enfermos con artritis reumatoide. Como objetivos adicionales, describir la percepción del paciente sobre la comunicación con su reumatólogo respecto al uso de MCA y el patrón de uso de las diferentes modalidades terapéuticas. Materiales y métodos: Estudio descriptivo de corte transversal. El uso de MCA y la RMP se evaluaron mediante la autoaplicación de cuestionarios validados (I-CAM-Q y PDRQ-9 respectivamente). Resultados: Se incluyó a 246 pacientes ambulatorios de una institución de tercer nivel de atención. Se encontró asociación entre una mayor satisfacción con el tratamiento y el no usar MCA, y entre el hecho de informar al reumatólogo sobre el uso de MCA con un mayor grado de acuerdo con el médico sobre el origen de los síntomas y mayor satisfacción con el tratamiento. Las modalidades más frecuentemente utilizadas fueron: quiropraxia, acupuntura y productos herbales. El 78,5% afirmaron estar de acuerdo con comunicar el uso de este tipo de medicación al reumatólogo, sin embargo, solo el 31,3% lo notificó, por temor a represalias (54,4%). Conclusiones: Pese a la alta prevalencia de uso de MCA en nuestros pacientes, la mayoría no lo comunicó al reumatólogo. Se encontró asociación entre el uso de MCA y una menor satisfacción del paciente con el tratamiento y entre la comunicación médico-paciente sobre la práctica de MCA y una mejor satisfacción con el tratamiento.

ABSTRACT Introduction: Although complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) use among patients with rheumatic diseases is extensive, discussions regarding these treatments occur rarely in the rheumatology setting, directly affecting the physician-patient relationship (PPR). Objectives: The aim of this study was to evaluate the association between patient-physician relationship and complementary and alternative medicine use. As secondary objectives, to describe the patient's perspective towards CAM use and estimate the prevalence of CAM treatments used in patients with rheumatoid arthritis. Methods and materials: A descriptive cross-sectional survey was conducted, in which CAM use and physician-patient relationship were assessed by self-reported validated questionnaires (I-CAM-Q and PDRQ-9, respectively). Results: The study included a total of 246 outpatients of a tertiary care hospital. There were no significant differences between CAM users vs. non-users, or informers vs. non-informers in terms of physician-patient relationship measured by PDQR. The most frequent used CAM treatments were: chiropractice, acupuncture, and herbal products. A large majority (78.5%) of the patients expressed agreement to the discussion of CAM use with the rheumatologist, but only 31.3% of total CAM users did so because of fear of retaliation (54.4%). Conclusion: Despite the extensive practice of CAM among patients with rheumatoid arthritis, most patients did not discuss these treatments with their physicians. Associations were found between MCA use and a lower patient's treatment satisfaction and between physician-patient communication about CAM practice and a higher patient's treatment satisfaction.

Communication patterns in the doctor-patient relationship: evaluating determinants associated with low paternalism in Mexico.

BACKGROUND: Paternalism/overprotection limits communication between healthcare professionals and patients and does not promote shared therapeutic decision-making. In the global north, communication patterns have been regulated to promote autonomy, whereas in the global south, they reflect the physician's personal choices. The goal of this study was to contribute to knowledge on the communication patterns used in clinical practice in Mexico and to identify the determinants that favour a doctor-patient relationship characterized by low paternalism/autonomy. METHODS: A self-report study on communication patterns in a sample of 761 mental healthcare professionals in Central and Western Mexico was conducted. Multiple ordinal logistic regression models were used to analyse paternalism and associated factors. RESULTS: A high prevalence (68.7% [95% CI 60.0-70.5]) of paternalism was observed among mental health professionals in Mexico. The main determinants of low paternalism/autonomy were medical specialty (OR 1.67 [95% CI 1.16-2.40]) and gender, with female physicians being more likely to explicitly share diagnoses and therapeutic strategies with patients and their families (OR 1.57 [95% CI 1.11-2.22]). A pattern of highly explicit communication was strongly associated with low paternalism/autonomy (OR 12.13 [95% CI 7.71-19.05]). Finally, a modifying effect of age strata on the association between communication pattern or specialty and low paternalism/autonomy was observed. CONCLUSIONS: Among mental health professionals in Mexico, high paternalism prevailed. Gender, specialty, and a pattern of open communication were closely associated with low paternalism/autonomy. Strengthening health professionals' competencies and promoting explicit communication could contribute to the transition towards more autonomist communication in clinical practice in Mexico. The ethical implications will need to be resolved in the near future.

La técnica Delphi para el rediseño y validación de un instrumento que mide la comunicación enfermera-paciente / Using the Delphi method to redesign and validate an instrument measuring nurse-patient communication / A técnica Delphi para o redesenho e validação de um instrumento que mede a comunicação enfermeira-paciente

Resumen Introducción: La evaluación de la comunicación entre la enfermera y el paciente da cuenta de la dimensión interpersonal en la calidad del cuidado. Esta relación ha sido estudiada desde diversos enfoques con énfasis en algunos aspectos, como el diseño y validación de instrumentos. Objetivo: Rediseño y validación de contenido de un instrumento que mide comunicación enfermera-paciente, con base en la técnica Delphi. Metodología: Se enfoca al rediseño y validación de un instrumento, con la aplicación de la técnica Delphi, con la participación de enfermeras expertas, sensibles a la relación terapéutica; se realizaron tres rondas con integración de contenidos por las coordinadoras y la aplicación de los coeficientes de validación de contenido por reactivo (CVR) y validación de contenido integral (CVI). Resultados: El CVI del instrumento en cuestión (CECOP-23) en la primera ronda fue 0.84, posterior a ello se eliminaron cuatro reactivos y se sustituyeron dos que fueron sugeridos por los expertos. En la segunda ronda el instrumento alcanzó un CVI de 0.95, el grupo sugirió la utilización de términos más sencillos que propiciaran la cercanía con el paciente. En la tercera ronda se obtuvo un CVI de 0.96. El CECOP quedó integrado por 21 reactivos, diez que exploran empatía y once que exploran respeto. Conclusiones: El trabajo con los expertos permitió analizar los reactivos del CECOP-23, obteniendo el CECOP-21, con reactivos de mayor calidez y exploración más precisa, cumpliendo con el objetivo de diseñar un instrumento que explore ambas dimensiones manteniendo el equilibrio entre la empatía y el respeto.

Abstract Introduction: The assessment of the communication between nurses and patients is part of the interpersonal dimension of quality of care. This relationship has been studied from diverse points of view which focus on issues such as the design and validation of measuring instruments. Objective: Using the Delphi method, to redesign and validate a nurse-patient communication measuring instrument. Methodology: Together with expert and sensitive to the therapeutic relationship nurses, the Delphi method was used to redesign and validate a communication measuring instrument. The coordinators assessed the contents in three cycles calculating the Item Content Validity and Integral Content Validity coefficients. Results: The Integral Content Validity of the CECOP-23 instrument was 0.84 in the first cycle. Four items were deleted and two were substituted in agreement with the suggestions of the experts. The Integral Content Validity of the instrument was 0.95 in the second cycle. The group suggested using simpler terms which could foster closeness to the patient. The Integral Content Validity was 0.96 in the third cycle. The CECOP instrument was finally constituted by 21 items, 10 exploring empathy and 11 exploring respect. Conclusions: Working along with the experts prompted the analysis of the CECOP-23 instrument in order to produce the CECOP-21 which has more precise and "warm" items. The objective of redesigning and instrument which, maintaining the equilibrium between empathy and respect, could measure the nurse-patient communication was achieved.

Resumo Introdução: A avaliação da comunicação entre a enfermeira e o paciente dá conta da dimensão interpessoal na qualidade do cuidado. Esta relação tem sido estudada desde diversos enfoques com ênfase em alguns aspectos, como o desenho e a validação de instrumentos. Objetivo: redesenho e validação de conteúdo de um instrumento que meça a comunicação enfermeira-paciente, com base na técnica Delphi. Metodologia: Foca-se no redesenho e validação de um instrumento, com a aplicação da técnica Delphi, com a participação de enfermeiras experientes, sensíveis à relação terapêutica; realizaram-se três ciclos com integração de conteúdos pelas coordenadoras e a aplicação dos coeficientes de validação de conteúdo por item (CVR) e a validação de conteúdo integral (CVI). Resultados: O CVI do instrumento em questão (CECOP-23) na primeira volta foi 0.84, posterior a isto, eliminaram-se quatro itens e substituíram-se dois que foram sugeridos pelos especialistas. Na segunda volta o instrumento atingiu um CVI de 0.95, o grupo sugeriu a utilização de termos mais simples que propiciaram a proximidade com o paciente. Na terceira volta obteve-se um CVI de 0.96. O CECOP ficou integrado por 21 itens, dez que exploram empatia e onze respeito. Conclusões: O trabalho com os especialistas permitiu analisar os itens de CECOP-23, obtendo o CECOP-21, com itens de maior qualidade e exploração mais precisa, cumprindo com o objetivo de desenhar um instrumento que explore ambas as dimensões mantendo o equilíbrio entre a empatia e o respeito.

Empathy Levels of Dental Faculty and Students: A Survey Study at an Academic Dental Institution in Chile.

A successful health care provider may be described as a clinician capable of establishing a comprehensive diagnosis including identifying related risk factors. However, an equally important quality a clinician should possess is the ability to understand the experiences and feelings of others to allow better communication for better outcomes. It is likely that faculty empathy levels influence students' ability to demonstrate this attribute. The aim of this study was to assess the levels of empathy of dental faculty members relative to dental students at the Universidad San Sebastian in Chile. Using a cross-sectional design of survey-collected data collected with the Jefferson Scale of Empathy, the authors compared the perceptions of the dental faculty involved in teaching fourth- and fifth-year dental students (n=116) to the perceptions of basic and preclinical students (n=346) and clinical students (n=189). The data were collected in 2016-17. The results showed that the mean faculty scores were higher than that of the students in compassionate care (90.1%) and perspective adoption (89.7%); however, for putting oneself in the other's shoes, the faculty had a lower score (57.8%) than the clinical students (58.2%). Future investigations are needed to understand the impact of faculty empathy scores on students and whether pedagogical interventions can increase empathy scores.

Identifying solutions to psychological insulin resistance: An international study.

AIMS: To identify actions of healthcare professionals (HCPs) that facilitate the transition to insulin therapy (IT) in type 2 diabetes (T2D) adults. METHODS: Included were T2Ds in seven countries (n = 594) who reported initial IT reluctance but eventually began IT. An online survey included 38 possible HCP actions: T2Ds indicated which may have occurred and their helpfulness. Also reported were delays in IT start after initial recommendation and any period of IT discontinuation. RESULTS: Exploratory factor analysis of HCP actions yielded five factors: "Explained Insulin Benefits" (EIB), "Dispelled Insulin Myths" (DIM), "Demonstrated the Injection Process" (DIP), "Collaborative Style" (CS) and "Authoritarian Style" (AS). Highest levels of helpfulness occurred for DIP, EIB and CS; lowest for AS. Participants who rated DIP as helpful were less likely to delay IT than those who rated DIP as less helpful (OR = 0.75, p = 0.01); participants who rated CS and EIB as helpful were less likely to interrupt IT than those who rated these as less helpful (OR = 0.55, p < 0.01; OR = 0.51, p = 0.01, respectively). CONCLUSIONS: Three key HCP actions to facilitate IT initiation were identified as helpful and were associated with more successful initiation and persistence. These findings may aid the development of interventions to address reluctance to initiating IT.

Applying contemporary neuroscience in exercise interventions for chronic spinal pain: treatment protocol.

BACKGROUND: Nonspecific chronic spinal pain is a common problem within the chronic pain population and is characterized by high social, economic and personal impact. To date, therapists are still struggling in adequately treating these types of patients, as seen in the small and short-term benefits of frequently applied primary care treatments. It is remarkable that despite the well-documented presence of abnormalities in central nociceptive processing in nonspecific chronic spinal pain patients, the implementation of this knowledge in clinical practice is still nearly non-existent. METHODS: This paper provides the treatment protocol used in a large randomized controlled trial that aimed to assess the effectiveness of a modern neuroscience approach compared to usual care evidence-based physiotherapy. This comprehensive pain neuroscience treatment program combines pain neuroscience education and cognition-targeted exercise therapy. CONCLUSION: Based on previous small-scaled studies, this treatment protocol is expected to normalize central alterations by addressing central nervous system dysfunctions, psychological factors, as well as peripheral dysfunctions in a broader biopsychosocially-driven framework.

Health care provision in Brazil: A dialogue between health professionals and lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender service users.

The aim of this study was to encourage the development of resources to improve health care for lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender service users. Dialogues between health professionals and lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender service users (inspired by the Public Conversations Project) highlighted the need (a) to improve communication between users and health professionals; (b) to question what constitutes an expert on lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender care; (c) to reconfigure rigid notions about sexual identity; (d) to deconstruct the association between sexually transmitted diseases and lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender service users; and (e) to adopt a less judgemental attitude towards lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender people during hospital admissions.

Reflexiones sobre la consulta diaria / Reflections on the daily practice

Se realizan algunas reflexiones sobre el ejercicio diario de la medicina, especialmente en cuanto a ciertos tópicos de la consulta diaria en los que se piensa pocas veces, pero que merecen que se haga una pausa para reconsiderar y mejorar, como la comunicación médico-paciente, la realización de una buena exploración física, la repertorización y el uso de métodos auxiliares de diagnóstico, los cuales, aunque no se incluyen en la semiología clásica homeopática, son en la actualidad de gran ayuda para el médico. Además, se habla de la necesidad de mantenerse al tanto de la evolución de los pacientes, reconociendo la modificación de la sintomatología después de la prescripción, las limitaciones propias del médico y la posibilidad de apoyarse en el especialista; asimismo, se expone la importancia de admitir que en muchas ocasiones la apuesta para la curación, tanto del médico como del paciente, se dirige únicamente a encontrar el simillimum, olvidándose de todos los obstáculos que impiden la curación y de la enorme variabilidad en la sensibilidad de cada paciente al medicamento homeopático. Finalmente, se mencionan aspectos pocas veces tratados en el ejercicio profesional, como el desgaste que produce en los médicos la atención de los pacientes, la educación médica continua y la importancia del consultorio como un elemento más para una consulta adecuada. (AU)

Some reflections are often made of the practice of medicine, specially on certain topics like the daily consultation and for which we need to pause and reconsider, as the doctor-patient communication, the performing of a good physical examination, making a fine repertorization and the fact of using auxiliary diagnostic methods, which although these are not included in classical homeopathic semiology, nowadays the methods are of great support to the physician. Also we talk about the need to keep abreast of the progress of patients, recognizing that they modify their symptoms after prescription, the limitations that a doctor may have and the need to rely on the specialist. Recognizing that many. (AU)

Reflexiones sobre la consulta diaria / Reflections on the daily practice

Se realizan algunas reflexiones sobre el ejercicio diario de la medicina, especialmente en cuanto a ciertos tópicos de la consulta diaria en los que se piensa pocas veces, pero que merecen que se haga una pausa para reconsiderar y mejorar, como la comunicación médico-paciente, la realización de una buena exploración física, la repertorización y el uso de métodos auxiliares de diagnóstico, los cuales, aunque no se incluyen en la semiología clásica homeopática, son en la actualidad de gran ayuda para el médico. Además, se habla de la necesidad de mantenerse al tanto de la evolución de los pacientes, reconociendo la modificación de la sintomatología después de la prescripción, las limitaciones propias del médico y la posibilidad de apoyarse en el especialista; asimismo, se expone la importancia de admitir que en muchas ocasiones la apuesta para la curación, tanto del médico como del paciente, se dirige únicamente a encontrar el simillimum, olvidándose de todos los obstáculos que impiden la curación y de la enorme variabilidad en la sensibilidad de cada paciente al medicamento homeopático. Finalmente, se mencionan aspectos pocas veces tratados en el ejercicio profesional, como el desgaste que produce en los médicos la atención de los pacientes, la educación médica continua y la importancia del consultorio como un elemento más para una consulta adecuada...

Some reflections are often made of the practice of medicine, specially on certain topics like the daily consultation and for which we need to pause and reconsider, as the doctor-patient communication, the performing of a good physical examination, making a fine repertorization and the fact of using auxiliary diagnostic methods, which although these are not included in classical homeopathic semiology, nowadays the methods are of great support to the physician. Also we talk about the need to keep abreast of the progress of patients, recognizing that they modify their symptoms after prescription, the limitations that a doctor may have and the need to rely on the specialist. Recognizing that many...

Evaluación de la percepción de pacientes sobre el comportamiento de comunicación del personal de enfermería: diseño y validación en población mexicana / Evaluation of the patient's perception on the communication behavior of the nursing personnel: design and validation in the Mexican population

ANTECEDENTES: La comunicación enfermera-paciente es fundamental para la aplicación de los cuidados en salud. El presente estudio aborda la percepción de pacientes sobre la comunicación verbal y no verbal con sus enfermeras. Entre los instrumentos para su evaluación destaca la Herramienta para la Evaluación del Cuidado (CAT por sus siglas en inglés), pero diferencias culturales y educativas de la población mexicana limitan su aplicabilidad en nuestro contexto.OBJETIVO: Diseñar y validar un instrumento sobre la percepción de los pacientes sobre el comportamiento de comunicación de enfermeras (denominado CECOP), en función de lo que observan pacientes mexicanos.MÉTODO: Con base en una entrevista exploratoria a 29 pacientes, se diseñó el CECOP con 25 reactivos, se estableció validez de contenido con jueces expertos (eliminando dos reactivos) y se aplicó a 150 pacientes. Se empleó análisis factorial con método de extracción de análisis de componentes principales y rotación Varimax. Se estableció la validez convergente entre el CECOP y el CAT y entre el CECOP y escalas numéricas que valoraron comprensión empática y satisfacción del paciente.RESULTADOS: La validez de constructo lo redujo a diez reactivos en dos factores (empatía y respeto); con Kaiser-Meyer-Olkin (KMO) y prueba de Bartlett estadísticamente significativas (p≤.001). La varianza explicada fue de 54.58%. La correlación entre los puntajes totales del CECOP (10 reactivos) y el CAT fue .459, el CECOP y la escala de comprensión fue .419; el CECOP y la escala de satisfacción, .495; todas, estadísticamente significativas (p≤.001).DISCUSIÓN Y CONCLUSIÓN: El CECOP permite evaluar los cuidados profesionales en su dimensión humana, desde la percepción de los pacientes, y sugerir propuestas para mejorar la comunicación de las enfermeras.

BACKGROUND: Nurse-patient communication has been established as a key component of professional healthcare. The present study examined the patients' perception of the verbal and non-verbal communication skills of nurses. Although the Caring Assessment Tool (CAT) stands among the instruments available to evaluate these communication skills, cultural and schooling characteristics limit its direct applicability to the Mexican context.OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to design and validate an instrument on the patient-recorded Nurse Communication Behavior (CECOP, for its acronym in Spanish) based on the Mexican patient's experience.METHOD: Based on exploratory interviews with 29 patients, a first draft of the CECOP was designed. The instrument was validated by independent expert judges and after the elimination of two items it was used with 150 patients. The validity was assessed by a factor analysis extraction through Principal Component Analysis and Varimax Rotation. Convergence validity was established between the CAT and the CECOP and between the CECOP and numeric scales that evaluate empathy and patient satisfaction.RESULTS: Construct Validity reduced the CECOP to 10 items in two factors (empathy and respect) with statistically significant KMO (Kaiser-Meyer-Olkin) and Bartlett's Test (p≤.001). The explained variation was 54.58%. The correlation between the CECOP score (10 items) and the CAT was .459. Between the CECOP and the empathy scale and between the CECOP and the satisfaction scale the correlations were .419 and .495, respectively. All correlations were statistically significant (p≤.001).DISCUSSION AND CONCLUSION: The CECOP can be used to evaluate professional care in its human dimension from the patient's perspective and to suggest improvements in the nurses communication.

Risk, Activism, and Empowerment: Women's Breast Cancer in Venezuela.

The prevalence of breast cancer in Venezuela is particularly alarming, which is attributed to healthcare inequalities, low health literacy, and lagging compliance with prevention methods (i.e., screening and mammography). While the right to health is acknowledged by the Venezuelan constitution, activism beyond governmental confines is required to increase women's breast cancer awareness and decrease mortality rates. Through the development of social support and strategic communicative methods enacted by healthcare providers, it may be possible to empower women with the tools necessary for breast cancer prevention. This paper discusses issues surrounding women's breast cancer, such as awareness of the disease and its risks, self-advocacy, and the roles of activists, healthcare providers, and society. Specifically, it describes a four-year action-oriented research project developed in Venezuela, which was a collaborative work among researchers, practitioners, NGOs, patients, journalists, and policymakers. The outcomes include higher levels of awareness and interest among community members and organizations to learn and seek more information about women's breast cancer, better understandings of the communicated messages, more media coverage and medical consultations, increasing positive patient treatments, expansion of networking of NGOs, as well as a widely supported declaration for a national response against breast cancer in Venezuela.

Analysis of the doctor-patient communication if breast cancer is diagnosed / Análisis de la comunicación médico-paciente en el diagnóstico de cáncer de mama / Análise da comunicação médico-paciente em caso de diagnóstico de câncer de mama

The aim of the paper is the recognition and evaluation of demand for medical information among patients suffering from breast cancer. The research was conducted among 120 women with diagnosed breast cancer in the Oncological Surgery Clinic of the Independent Public Research Hospital Nº 1 in Lublin, the Oncological Clinic of the Independent Public Research Hospital Nº 1 in Lublin and the Rehabilitation Centre with the Rehabilitation Clinic at the Lublin Oncology Centre. The research included women from the Club of Women after Mastectomy “Amazons”, the Club “Amazons” at the Complex of Specialist Clinics in Ostrowiec Swietokrzyski and the Club “Amazons” in Radom. Research showed that the demand for medical information among women with diagnosed breast cancer is very high. Respondents want to know all the information concerning the diagnosis, treatment and prognosis (93 percent). They also expect that the doctor will give them medical information concerning further consequences of cancer and its influence on future health and life (78 percent). Most of the respondents expect to receive information concerning medicaments which should be taken (77 percent) and the essence of the conducted treatment (93 percent). The research analysis showed that women with diagnosed breast cancer expect that the doctor will give them reliable and real medical information. Patients want the doctor to present them the probable course of the cancer (85 percent) and all the possible side effects connected with it (89 percent).

El objetivo de este trabajo es el reconocimiento y la evaluación de la demanda de información médica en pacientes con cáncer de mama. Se realizó la investigación con 120 mujeres diagnosticadas con cáncer de mama en la Clínica de Cirugía Oncológica y la Clínica Oncológica del Hospital de Investigación Público Independiente Nº 1 en Lublin, y el Centro de Rehabilitación con la Clínica de Rehabilitación del Centro Oncológico de Lublin. La investigación incluyó mujeres del Club “Amazons” de Mujeres que han sufrido Mastectomía, el Club “Amazons” del Complejo de Clínicas Especializadas en Ostrowiec Swietokrzyski y el Club “Amazons” en Radom. La investigación mostró que la demanda de información médica de mujeres con diagnóstico de cáncer de mama es muy alta. Aquellas que respondieron quieren saber todo acerca del diagnóstico, tratamiento y pronóstico (93 por ciento). También esperan que el médico les dé información médica respecto de posteriores consecuencias del cáncer y su influencia en su salud futura y su vida (78 por ciento). La mayoría de las que respondieron esperan recibir información sobre medicamentos que deberían tomar (77 por ciento) y lo esencial sobre el tratamiento realizado (93 por ciento). El análisis de la investigación muestra que las mujeres diagnosticadas con cáncer de mama esperan que el médico les dé información médica confiable y verdadera, les presente el curso probable del cáncer (85 por ciento) y todos los posibles efectos secundarios conectados (89 por ciento).

O objetivo deste artigo é o reconhecimento e a avaliação da demanda por informação médica entre pacientes que sofrem de câncer de mama. A investigação foi conduzida entre 120 mulheres diagnosticadas com câncer de mama na Oncological Surgery Clinic of the Independent Public Research Hospital Nº 1 de Lublin, a Oncological Clinic of the Independent Public Research Hospital Nº 1 de Lublin e a Rehabilitation Centre with the Rehabilitation Clinic do Lublin Oncology Centre. A pesquisa incluiu mulheres do Club of Women after Mastectomy “Amazons”, o Club “Amazons” do Complex of Specialist Clinic sem Ostrowiec Swietokrzyskie o Club “Amazons”em Radom. Pesquisa revelou que a demanda por informação médica entre mulheres com diagnóstico de câncer mamário é muito alta. As respondentes queriam saber todas as informações concernentes ao diagnóstico, tratamento e prognóstico (93 por cento). Elas também esperavam que o médico pudesse dar-lhes informação sobre consequências tardias do câncer e a influência sobre a sua saúde e vida futuras (78 por cento). A maioria dos respondentes tinham a expectativa de receber informação sobre medicamentos que deveriam tomar(77 por cento) e a essência do tratamento realizado(93 por cento). A análise da pesquisa demonstrou que as mulheres com diagnóstico de câncer de mama esperavam que o médico pudesse fornecer-lhes informação confiável e honesta. Pacientes queriam que o médico lhes apresentasse o provável curso do câncer (85 por cento) e todos os possíveis efeitos relacionados a ele (89 por cento).

Uma nova ferramenta educacional para terapia de suporte aos implantes dentários: o diagrama de motivação por cores / A new educational tool for implant supportive therapy: the color motivation chart

A comunicação bem-sucedida entre pacientes e clínicos na terapia de suporte aos implantes pode ser comprometida por diversas razões. O objetivo deste trabalho foi apresentar uma nova ferramenta educacional de conhecimento, como o diagrama de motivação por cores (DMC). Com base em uma radiografia periapical feita pela técnica do paralelismo e cone longo, os clínicos podem determinar se os níveis ósseos do paciente estão acima ou abaixo da plataforma do implante. Cálculos simples são feitos entre os anos consecutivos para se determinar o remodelamento ósseo. Depois, o limiar de perda é atribuído para cada intervalo e um código de cores (azul, amarelo, verde ou vermelho) é aplicado. Desta forma, o paciente pode se concentrar nos significados das cores e ter compreensão total dos resultados, além de melhorar sua higiene oral caseira. Embora a validade desta ferramenta ainda não tenha sido investigada cientificamente, ela lança novas perspectivas sobre a motivação do paciente no tratamento com implantes osseointegrados.

Successful communication between patients and clinicians during implant supportive therapy can be compromised due to several reasons. The aim of this paper is to present a new educational tool known as the color motivation chart (CMC). Based on a standardized periapical radiograph using the long-cone technique, clinicians can determine whether the patient shows bone levels above or below the implant platform. Simple calculations are made between consecutive years to determine bone remodeling. After, the threshold value is attributed for each interval and a color code message (blue, yellow, green, and red) is applied. In this way, the patient can concentrate on color meanings and have an overall comprehension of the outcomes and how to improve their oral hygiene home-care measures. Although the validity of this new tool has not been scientifically investigated, it launches new perspectives on patient motivation for implant treatment.

Interacción enfermera-paciente y su repercusión en el cuidado hospitalario: Parte II / Nurse-patient interaction and its repercussion to hospital care: Part II

Se realizó una amplia búsqueda en diversas bases de datos a partir de los descriptores: Interacción o comunicación enfermera-paciente, satisfacción por el cuidado de enfermería y entrenamientos en técnicas de comunicación, con el fin de profundizar en el tema de la interacción enfermera-paciente por la importancia que esta tiene en el ejercicio de la práctica profesional de las enfermeras. Se establecen tres ejes de estudio: Interacción o comunicación enfermera-paciente, calidad y satisfacción derivada del cuidado, y efectividad de los entrenamientos en habilidades para la comunicación. La revisión permite identificar que este tema ha sido analizado desde hace mucho tiempo y en diferentes países, los estudios se han relacionado con la calidad de los servicios de enfermería y han motivado el planteamiento de estrategias educativas para desarrollar y mejorar la interacción enfermera-paciente como actitud profesional esencial. Los estudios realizados ofrecen elementos de apoyo para el desarrollo de investigaciones en esta área, pero en algunos casos muestran limitaciones o carencias, así como resultados contradictorios que pueden ser tomadas en cuenta por las personas interesadas en el diseño de estudios relacionados con el tema.

In order to deepen into the highly important topic nurse-patient interaction for the professional practice of nurses, a database search using the descriptors; nurse-patient interaction/communication, nurse healthcare satisfaction, and communication skills training, was conducted. As a result, three study axes were established; nurse-patient interaction/communication, care-derived quality and satisfaction, and communication skills training effectiveness. This review reveals that this topic has been extensively analyzed throughout time and among different countries. These studies have been related to quality in nursing services, and have motivated the design of strategies to develop and improve the nurse-patient interaction as an essential professional attitude. Furthermore, although these studies offer elements to support the research development in this area, some of them have shown limitations o deficiencies, as well as contradictory results, which should be considered by researchers interested in the design of studies related to this topic.

Interacción enfermera-paciente y su repercusión en el cuidado hospitalario: Parte I / Nurse-patient interaction and its repercussion to hospital care: Part 1

Se realizó una amplia búsqueda en diversas bases de datos a partir de los descriptores: Interacción o comunicación enfermera-paciente, satisfacción por el cuidado de enfermería y entrenamientos en técnicas de comunicación, con el fin de profundizar en el tema de la interacción enfermera-paciente por la importancia que esta tiene en el ejercicio de la práctica profesional de las enfermeras. Se establecen tres ejes de estudio: Interacción o comunicación enfermera-paciente, calidad y satisfacción derivada del cuidado, y efectividad de los entrenamientos en habilidades para la comunicación. La revisión permite identificar que este tema ha sido analizado desde hace mucho tiempo y en diferentes países, los estudios se han relacionado con la calidad de los servicios de enfermería y han motivado el planteamiento de estrategias educativas para desarrollar y mejorar la interacción enfermera-paciente como actitud profesional esencial. Los estudios realizados ofrecen elementos de apoyo para el desarrollo de investigaciones en esta área, pero en algunos casos muestran limitaciones o carencias, así como resultados contradictorios que pueden ser tomadas en cuenta por las personas interesadas en el diseño de estudios relacionados con el tema.

In order to deepen into the highly important topic nurse-patient interaction for the professional practice of nurses, a. database search using the descriptors: nurse-patient interaction/communication, nurse healthcare satisfaction, and communication skills training, was conducted. As a result, three study axes were established; nurse-patient interaction/communication, care-derived quality and satisfaction, and communication skills training effectiveness. This review reveals that this topic has been extensively analyzed throughout time and among different countries. These studies have been related to quality in nursing services, and have motivated the design of strategies to develop and improve the nurse-patient interaction as an essential professional attitude. Furthermore, although these studies offer elements to support the research development in this area, some of them have shown limitations o deficiencies, as well as contradictory results, which should be considered by researchers interested in the design of studies related to this topic.

Barriers and facilitating communication skills for breaking bad news: from the specialists’ practice perspective / Barreras y facilitadores en la comunicación de malas noticias: Perspectiva desde la práctica de médicos especialistas

Introduction: Breaking bad news is one of a physician’s most difficult duties. There are several studies related to the patient’s needs, but few reflect on the doctors’ experience. Materials and method: A descriptive, cross-sectional research was carried out to study issues related to the process of delivering bad news which might act as barriers and facilitating skills from the doctor’s point of view. These issues were identified through a self-administered survey. Results: Participant doctors use different strategies to communicate bad news to their patients. Examples of these strategies are: to be familiar with the patients’ medical history, to ensure that there is enough time, to know the patient’s caregivers and/or relatives, to determine the patient’s level of knowledge about his/her condition, to use non-technical words, to give information in small pieces, to assess the patient’s understanding, to devise a joint action plan, among others. Conclusion: The communication barriers that were identified focused on the emotional issues of the communication process, particularly those related to the recognition of own emotions, and the limited training about communication strategies available to doctors. Consequently, there is a need to implement training programs that provide doctors with tools to facilitate the bad news communication process.

Introducción: La comunicación de malas noticias es una de las tareas más difíciles que deben enfrentar los profesionales de la salud. Existen múltiples estudios acerca de las necesidades del paciente, pero pocos que tengan en cuenta la experiencia de los médicos. Materiales y método: Se realizó una investigación descriptiva, transversal para estudiar aspectos del proceso de comunicación de malas noticias que pueden actuar como barreras y facilitadores desde la percepción del médico; identificados por medio de una encuesta auto-aplicable. Resultados: Los médicos participantes utilizan distintas estrategias durante la comunicación de malas noticias a sus pacientes como: conocer los detalles de la historia clínica, asegurarse de tener tiempo suficiente, conocer a los acompañantes e identificar cuánto sabe el paciente acerca de su situación, utilizar vocabulario sencillo, dar la información por partes, comprobar que el paciente esté comprendiendo, formular en conjunto un plan que se ha de seguir, entre otros. Conclusiones: Las barreras comunicativas identificadas se centraron en los aspectos emocionales del proceso comunicativo, específicamente en lo relacionado con la identificación de emociones propias, y en la limitada formación que reciben los médicos en estrategias comunicativas, lo que genera la necesidad de implementar programas de capacitación que les brinden herramientas para facilitar el proceso de comunicación de malas noticias.