Developing a breast cancer screening decision aid in Spanish for average-risk women: a mixed methods study.

Introduction: We aimed to develop a decision aid to support shared-decision making between physicians and women with average breast cancer risk when deciding whether to participate in breast cancer screening. Methods: We included women at average risk of breast cancer and physicians involved in supporting the decision of breast cancer screening from an Academic Hospital in Buenos Aires, Argentina. We followed the International Patient Decision Aid Standards to develop our decision aid. Guided by a steering group and a multidisciplinary consultancy group including a patient advocate, we reviewed the evidence about breast cancer screening and previous decision aids, explored the patients' information needs on this topic from the patients' and physicians' perspective using semi-structured interviews, and we alpha-tested the prototype to determine its usability, comprehensibility and applicability. Results: We developed the first prototype of a web-based decision aid to use during the clinical encounter with women aged 40 to 69 with average breast cancer risk. After a meeting with our consultancy group, we developed a second prototype that underwent alpha-testing. Physicians and patients agreed that the tool was clear, useful and applicable during a clinical encounter. We refined our final prototype according to their feedback. Conclusion: We developed the first decision aid in our region and language on this topic, developed with end-users' input and informed by the best available evidence. We expect this decision aid to help women and physicians make shared decisions during the clinical encounter when talking about breast cancer screening.

Developing a breast cancer screening decision aid in Spanish for average-risk women: a mixed methods study / Estudios originales Publicado el 14 de marzo de 2024 | http://doi.org/10.5867/medwave.2024.02.2726 Developing a breast cancer screening decision aid in Spanish for average-risk women: a mixed methods study Desarrollo de una herramienta en español para ayudar en la toma de decisiones del cribado de cáncer de mama para mujeres de riesgo promedio: un estudio de métodos mixtos

Introduction We aimed to develop a decision aid to support shared-decision making between physicians and women with average breast cancer risk when deciding whether to participate in breast cancer screening. Methods We included women at average risk of breast cancer and physicians involved in supporting the decision of breast cancer screening from an Academic Hospital in Buenos Aires, Argentina. We followed the International Patient Decision Aid Standards to develop our decision aid. Guided by a steering group and a multidisciplinary consultancy group including a patient advocate, we reviewed the evidence about breast cancer screening and previous decision aids, explored the patients' information needs on this topic from the patients' and physicians' perspective using semi-structured interviews, and we alpha-tested the prototype to determine its usability, comprehensibility and applicability. Results We developed the first prototype of a web-based decision aid to use during the clinical encounter with women aged 40 to 69 with average breast cancer risk. After a meeting with our consultancy group, we developed a second prototype that underwent alpha-testing. Physicians and patients agreed that the tool was clear, useful and applicable during a clinical encounter. We refined our final prototype according to their feedback. Conclusion We developed the first decision aid in our region and language on this topic, developed with end-users' input and informed by the best available evidence. We expect this decision aid to help women and physicians make shared decisions during the clinical encounter when talking about breast cancer screening.

Curso de investigación en Atención Primaria de la Salud: experiencia sobre módulo de búsqueda bibliográfica y gestores de citas / Research course in Primary Health Care: experience with the bibliographic search module and citation managers

La Federación Argentina de Medicina Familiar y General apoyó el desarrollo, la difusión y la implementación de una propuesta educativa sobre investigación en atención primaria. Consiste en 4 módulos independientes, destinado para miembros interesados/as, con 2 encuentros virtuales teórico-prácticos, que favorecieran el intercambio de opiniones y experiencias entre colegas. El objetivo del primer módulo fue proporcionar conocimiento, brindar pautas y ofrecer herramientas para la búsqueda bibliográfica y el uso de gestores de citas. Se realizó difusión mediante sociedades y redes sociales. Se incluyó una evaluación individual, que diera cuenta de lectura complementaria y la aplicación práctica de los contenidos. Se llevó a cabo en Junio, con 39 preinscripto/as, mayoritariamente residentes. Hubo 24 participantes efectivos (61%), asistieron 17 y 20 personas respectivamente, y 11 (46%) obtuvieron el certificado de aprobación por responder la consigna en tiempo y forma. En cuanto a los/as asistentes, hubo predominio de mujeres (79%), provenientes de Asociación Metropolitana de Medicina Familiar (25%), Asociación Cordobesa de Medicina Familiar y Comunitaria (16%), Asociación Misionera de Medicina General/Familiar y del Equipo de Salud (16%), Asociación Tucumana de Medicina Familiar, General y Comunitaria (12%), y otras minorías. Expresaron satisfacción, agradecimiento y reconocimiento por la actividad, destacando la buena predisposición de organizadores y equipo docente, la utilidad práctica de la temática, la evidente planificación, y el apoyo político-económico. Esta valiosa experiencia educativa (planteada como necesidad pendiente) resultó exitosa, ya que los/as participantes demostraron un alto nivel de interés, de asistencia de diferentes provincias, y de compromiso. Los certificados emitidos otorgan créditos educativos válidos para la recertificación (AU)

The Federación Argentina de Medicina Familiar y General supported the development, dissemination and implementation of an educational proposal on research in primary care. It consists of 4 independent modules, intended for interested members, with 2 virtual theoretical-practical meetings, which favored the exchange of opinions and experiences among colleagues. The objective of the first module was to provide knowledge, guidelines and tools for bibliographic search and the use of citation managers. Dissemination was carried out through societies and social networks. An individual evaluation was included, to account for complementary reading and the practical application of the contents. It was carried out in June, with 39 pre-registered participants, mostly residents. There were 24 effective participants (61%), 17 and 20 people attended respectively, and 11 (46%) obtained the certificate of approval for answering the instructions in due time and form. As for the attendees, there was a predominance of women (79%), coming from Asociación Metropolitana de Medicina Familiar (25%), Asociación Cordobesa de Medicina Familiar y Comunitaria (16%), Asociación Misionera de Medicina General/Familiar y del Equipo de Salud (16%), Asociación Tucumana de Medicina Familiar, General y Comunitaria (12%), and other minorities. They expressed satisfaction, gratitude, and recognition for the activity, highlighting the good predisposition of the organizers and teaching team, the practical usefulness of the subject matter, the evident planning, and the political-economic support. This valuable educational experience (raised as a pending need) was successful since the participants showed a high level of interest, attendance from different provinces, and commitment. The certificates issued grant educational credits valid for recertification (AU)

Quantitative and qualitative analysis of Argentine breast cancer prevention campaigns disseminated by still images on social networks during October 2019. / Análisis cuantitativo y cualitativo de las campañas argentinas de prevención de cáncer de mama difundidas mediante imágenes fijas en redes sociales durante octubre del 2019.

OBJECTIVES: To quantitatively document the degree of compliance of institutional messages broadcast on social networks with the recommendations of the National Cancer Institute (INC) in Argentina during October 2019, in the context of breast cancer prevention campaigns, and to qualitatively analyze the pictorial and textual elements that make up their dissemination pieces. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Quantitative and qualitative analysis of 171 dissemination pieces issued during October 2019 by 54 institutions, based on the evaluation of their compliance with INC recommendations, the description of the main discordant recommendations (quantitative analysis) and the qualitative analysis of 30 pieces. RESULTS: None of the issued messages mentioned potential screening harms. Only the messages of the National Ministry of Health complied completely with the INC recommendations, while the remaining ones recommended mammograms at younger ages or at shorter intervals. Breast self-examination was the most frequent recommendation among those who didn't comply. The images of female bodies linked to common stereotypes of sex and beauty, and paternalistic discourses appealing to fear and guilt were predominant. CONCLUSIONS: The messages broadcasted in the analyzed diffusion pieces did not comply with the INC recommendations, despite the fact that the latter are supported by scientific evidence. On the other hand, the messages reinforce sex and beauty stereotypes, guilt and the medical-hegemonic model.

OBJETIVOS.: Documentar cuantitativamente el grado de concordancia con las recomendaciones del Instituto Nacional del Cáncer (INC) de los mensajes institucionales emitidos en redes sociales de Argentina durante octubre de 2019, en el contexto de las campañas de prevención del cáncer mamario, y analizar cualitativamente los elementos icónicos y textuales que conforman sus piezas de difusión. MATERIALES Y MÉTODOS.: Análisis cuantitativo y cualitativo de 171 piezas de difusión emitidas durante octubre de 2019 por 54 instituciones, a partir de la evaluación de su concordancia con las recomendaciones del INC, la descripción de las principales recomendaciones discordantes (análisis cuantitativo) y el análisis cualitativo de 30 piezas. RESULTADOS.: Ninguno de los mensajes emitidos mencionó potenciales daños del tamizaje. Solamente los del Ministerio de Salud de la Nación fueron totalmente concordantes con las recomendaciones del INC, mientras que los restantes recomendaban realizar mamografías a edades más tempranas o a intervalos más breves. El autoexamen mamario fue la recomendación más frecuente entre las discordantes. Predominaron las imágenes de cuerpos femeninos vinculadas con los estereotipos predominantes de género y belleza, y los discursos paternalistas que apelan al miedo y a la culpa. CONCLUSIONES.: Los mensajes emitidos en las piezas de difusión analizadas no fueron concordantes con las recomendaciones del INC, a pesar de que estas últimas están respaldadas por evidencia científica. Por otro lado, los mensajes refuerzan los estereotipos de género y belleza, la culpa y el modelo médico-hegemónico.

Análisis cuantitativo y cualitativo de las campañas argentinas de prevención de cáncer de mama difundidas mediante imágenes fijas en redes sociales durante octubre del 2019 / Quantitative and qualitative analysis of Argentine breast cancer prevention campaigns disseminated by still images on social networks during October 2019

Objetivos. Documentar cuantitativamente el grado de concordancia con las recomendaciones del Instituto Nacional del Cáncer (INC) de los mensajes institucionales emitidos en redes sociales de Argentina durante octubre de 2019, en el contexto de las campañas de prevención del cáncer mamario, y analizar cualitativamente los elementos icónicos y textuales que conforman sus piezas de difusión. Materiales y métodos. Análisis cuantitativo y cualitativo de 171 piezas de difusión emitidas durante octubre de 2019 por 54 instituciones, a partir de la evaluación de su concordancia con las recomendaciones del INC, la descripción de las principales recomendaciones discordantes (análisis cuantitativo) y el análisis cualitativo de 30 piezas. Resultados. Ninguno de los mensajes emitidos mencionó potenciales daños del tamizaje. Solamente los del Ministerio de Salud de la Nación fueron totalmente concordantes con las recomendaciones del INC, mientras que los restantes recomendaban realizar mamografías a edades más tempranas o a intervalos más breves. El autoexamen mamario fue la recomendación más frecuente entre las discordantes. Predominaron las imágenes de cuerpos femeninos vinculadas con los estereotipos predominantes de género y belleza, y los discursos paternalistas que apelan al miedo y a la culpa. Conclusiones. Los mensajes emitidos en las piezas de difusión analizadas no fueron concordantes con las recomendaciones del INC, a pesar de que estas últimas están respaldadas por evidencia científica. Por otro lado, los mensajes refuerzan los estereotipos de género y belleza, la culpa y el modelo médico-hegemónico.

Objectives. To quantitatively document the degree of compliance of institutional messages broadcast on social networks with the recommendations of the National Cancer Institute (INC) in Argentina during October 2019, in the context of breast cancer prevention campaigns, and to qualitatively analyze the pictorial and textual elements that make up their dissemination pieces. Materials and methods. Quantitative and qualitative analysis of 171 dissemination pieces issued during October 2019 by 54 institutions, based on the evaluation of their compliance with INC recommendations, the description of the main discordant recommendations (quantitative analysis) and the qualitative analysis of 30 pieces. Results. None of the issued messages mentioned potential screening harms. Only the messages of the National Ministry of Health complied completely with the INC recommendations, while the remaining ones recommended mammograms at younger ages or at shorter intervals. Breast self-examination was the most frequent recommendation among those who didn't comply. The images of female bodies linked to common stereotypes of sex and beauty, and paternalistic discourses appealing to fear and guilt were predominant. Conclusions. The messages broadcasted in the analyzed diffusion pieces did not comply with the INC recommendations, despite the fact that the latter are supported by scientific evidence. On the other hand, the messages reinforce sex and beauty stereotypes, guilt and the medical-hegemonic model.

[Prostate specific antigen utilization trends in an academic hospital in Argentina.] / Tendencia temporal de realización de Antígeno Prostático Específico en un Hospital Académico de Buenos Aires.

Background: Although prostate cancer (PC) screening with prostate-specific antigen (PSA) determination could decrease mortality, concerns about the potential risk of overdiagnosis led to recommendations against this preventive practice. The objective of this study was to describe the trend in PSA determinations in men between 40 and 79 years old, affiliated to a Health Maintenance Organization (HMO) of an academic hospital in the city of Buenos Aires, Argentina, and its association with the recommendations stated by the U.S. Preventive Task Force (USPSTF) and the Instituto Nacional del Cáncer in Argentina. Methods: We analyzed a time series of aggregated data. We calculated the annual age-standardized rates of accumulated determinations of PSA for every 100 affiliates without a personal history of PC. Additionally, we compared trends by age groups every 10 years. We used Joinpoint and MS Excel programs. Results: Between 2006 and 2011 there was a growing trend in the number of PSA determinations, with an annual average of + 1.2% (95% CI, -1.0 to +3.5). Between 2011 and 2015, the number of determinations began to decrease, with a percentage annual average of -4.1% (-6.9 to -1.1). Conclusion: We found a gradual decrease in PSA utilization in men between 40 and 79 years old after the 2012 USPSTF recommendation against prostate cancer screening.

Introducción: Aunque el rastreo del cáncer de próstata (CP) mediante el dosaje sérico de antígeno prostático específico (en inglés, PSA) podría disminuir la mortalidad, la preocupación por su potencial riesgo de sobrediagnóstico llevó a desaconsejar su realización. El objetivo de este estudio fue describir la tendencia temporal de realización de esta práctica en varones entre 40 y 79 años afiliados a un seguro privado de salud de la ciudad de Buenos Aires, en relación con las recomendaciones de la Fuerza de Tareas Preventivas de los EE.UU. (USPSTF) y el Instituto Nacional del Cáncer de Argentina. Métodos. Serie temporal de datos agregados. Se calcularon las tasas anuales estandarizadas de incidencia acumulada de realización de PSA cada 100.000 afiliados sin antecedentes personales de CP, en el período 2006 a 2015. Adicionalmente, se construyeron curvas de tendencia por grupos etarios cada 10 años. Se utilizaron los programas Joinpoint y MS Excel. Resultados. Entre 2006 y 2011 hubo una tendencia creciente en la realización de PSA, con un promedio anual porcentual de +1,2% (IC 95%, -1,0 a +3,5). Entre 2011 y 2015, el número de determinaciones comenzó a decrecer, con un promedio anual porcentual de -4,1% (-6,9 a -1,1). Conclusión. En un hospital académico de Buenos Aires se observó un descenso paulatino en la realización de PSA en varones entre 40 y 79 años luego de la recomendación de 2012 en contra del rastreo del CP en todos los grupos etarios. Métodos: Serie temporal de datos agregados. Se calcularon las tasas anuales estandarizadas de incidencia acumulada de realización de PSA cada 100.000 afiliados sin antecedentes personales de CP, en el período 2006 a 2015. Adicionalmente, se construyeron curvas de tendencia por grupos etarios cada 10 años. Se utilizaron los programas Joinpoint y MS Excel. Resultados. Entre 2006 y 2011 hubo una tendencia creciente en la realización de PSA, con un promedio anual porcentual de +1,2% (IC 95%, -1,0 a +3,5). Entre 2011 y 2015, el número de determinaciones comenzó a decrecer, con un promedio anual porcentual de -4,1% (-6,9 a -1,1). Conclusión. En un hospital académico de Buenos Aires se observó un descenso paulatino en la realización de PSA en varones entre 40 y 79 años luego de la recomendación de 2012 en contra del rastreo del CP en todos los grupos etarios. Resultados: Entre 2006 y 2011 hubo una tendencia creciente en la realización de PSA, con un promedio anual porcentual de +1,2% (IC 95%, -1,0 a +3,5). Entre 2011 y 2015, el número de determinaciones comenzó a decrecer, con un promedio anual porcentual de -4,1% (-6,9 a -1,1). Conclusión. En un hospital académico de Buenos Aires se observó un descenso paulatino en la realización de PSA en varones entre 40 y 79 años luego de la recomendación de 2012 en contra del rastreo del CP en todos los grupos etarios. Conclusión: En un hospital académico de Buenos Aires se observó un descenso paulatino en la realización de PSA en varones entre 40 y 79 años luego de la recomendación de 2012 en contra del rastreo del CP en todos los grupos etarios.

La paradoja del octubre rosa / The paradox of pink October

En este comentario editorial, la autora repasa la controversia sobre la promoción del rastreo mamográfico del cáncer de mama en el contexto de las campañas de des-información durante el octubre rosa. (AU)

In this editorial comment, the author reviews the controversy over the promotion of mammographic screening of breastcancer in the context of misinformation campaigns during the pink October. (AU)

Translation, transcultural adaptation, and validation of two questionnaires on shared decision making.

OBJECTIVE: To translate, transcultural adapt, and validate the "CollaboRATE" measure and the "Ask 3 Questions" intervention in Argentina, allowing us to quantify the degree of use and implementation of shared decision making (SDM). DESIGN: Cross-sectional study. SETTING AND PARTICIPANTS: Data were collected in an academic hospital in Buenos Aires. Physician-patient pairs were invited to participate following their scheduled outpatient visits. MEASUREMENTS: Two processes were carried out as follows: (a) The translation and transcultural adaptation process, in which translations were produced and then adapted to Spanish. (b) The validation process, in which questionnaires were completed by patient-physician pairs, the results of which were subsequently analysed. Reliability (Cronbach's alpha) and construct validity (principal component analysis) were assessed. RESULTS: The final Spanish versions of "CollaboRATE" and "Ask 3 Questions" were tested in a primary care sample of 56 participants. Both instruments presented adequate reliability and validity. Internal consistency yielded a Cronbach's alpha of 98.3 for the "CollaboRATE" measure and 0.77 and 0.69 for the patients and physicians versions of the "Ask 3 Questions" intervention. Principal components analysis showed eigenvalues of first component >1. DISCUSSION AND CONCLUSIONS: We obtained valid and reliable Spanish versions of the "CollaboRATE" measure and the "Ask 3 Questions" intervention. These versions can be used for the assessment of SDM in clinical visits, and to obtain new information which could help the monitoring of its implementation.

Medication discrepancies and potentially inadequate prescriptions in elderly adults with polypharmacy in ambulatory care.

OBJECTIVES: The objective of this study is to describe the frequency and type of medication discrepancies (MD) through medication reconciliation and to describe the frequency of potentially inadequate prescription (PIP) medications using screening tool of older persons' prescriptions criteria. DESIGN: Cross-sectional comparison of electronic medical record (EMR) medication lists and patient's self-report of their comprehensive medication histories obtained through telephone interviews. INCLUSION CRITERIA: Elderly individuals (>65 years old) with more than ten medications recorded in their EMR, who had not been hospitalized in the past year and were not under domiciliary care, affiliated to a private community hospital. OUTCOME MEASURES: The primary outcomes were the proportion of patients with MD and PIP. Secondary outcomes were the proportion of types of discrepancies and PIP. We analyzed possible associations between these variables and other demographic and clinical variables. RESULTS: Out of 214 randomly selected individuals, 150 accepted to participate (70%). The mean number of medications referred to be consumed by patients was 9.1 (95% confidence interval [CI] =8.6-9.6), and the mean number of prescribed medications in their EMR was 13.9 (95% CI = 13.3-14.5). Ninety-nine percent had at least one discrepancy (total 1252 discrepancies); 46% consumed at least one prescription not documented in their EMR and 93% did not consume at least one of the prescriptions documented in their EMR. In 77% of the patients, a PIP was detected (total 186), 87% of them were at least within one of the following categories: Prolonged used of benzodiazepines or proton pump inhibitors and the use of aspirin for the primary prevention of cardiovascular disease. CONCLUSIONS: There was a high prevalence of MD and PIP within the community of elderly adults affiliated to a Private University Hospital. Future interventions should be aimed at reducing the number of PIP to prevent adverse drug events and improve EMR accuracy by lowering medications discrepancies.

Excesivo rastreo de osteoporosis en mujeres menores de 65 años: estudio de corte transversal / Excessive osteoporosis screening in women under 65 years: a cross-sectional study

RESUMEN El rastreo de osteoporosis en mujeres con bajo riesgo de fractura (sobreuso) puede conducir a sobrediagnóstico, tratamiento inapropiado y medicalización. El objetivo de este trabajo fue determinar la proporción de mujeres de 45 a 64 años afiliadas a un plan de medicina prepaga de Buenos Aires, Argentina, que realizaron al menos una densitometría ósea de cadera durante 2011 y no cumplían criterios para el rastreo. Se realizó un estudio observacional de corte transversal. Se identificaron 4.310 mujeres de este rango etario que se realizaron una densitometría ósea, entre las que se seleccionó una muestra aleatorizada de 401 mujeres y se obtuvieron datos completos para 178 mujeres. Para determinar si el rastreo era apropiado se utilizaron dos criterios: 1) tener un riesgo de fractura a 10 años mayor que una mujer de 65 años (regla FRAX®); 2) presentar al menos un factor de riesgo de fractura. Un 86,5% de las densitometrías óseas fueron realizadas en mujeres cuyo riesgo estimado por FRAX® no superaba el umbral mínimo recomendado, constatándose osteoporosis en el 5,8% y osteopenia en el 61,0%. En relación con el segundo criterio, el 49,4% no presentaba siquiera un factor de riesgo, documentándose osteoporosis en el 3,4%, y osteopenia en el 62,5%. Los resultados muestran que al menos la mitad de las mujeres no cumplía con los criterios de rastreo.

ABSTRACT Overuse of osteoporosis screening in women at low risk of fracture may lead to overdiagnosis, inappropriate treatment and medicalization. The objective of this work was to estimate the proportion of women aged 45 to 64 enrolled in a private health insurance plan in Buenos Aires undergoing hip dual-energy x-ray absorptiometry (DXA) in 2011 without meeting osteoporosis screening criteria. In this cross-sectional study, 4310 women of this age range that had undergone a hip DXA were identified. A randomly selected sub-group of 401 women was then assessed for the presence of risk factors for osteoporosis and complete data were retrieved for 178 women. Appropriate screening was defined by two criteria: 1) having a 10-year fracture risk higher than that of a 65-year old woman (estimated using the FRAX® tool); 2) having at least one risk factor for fracture. It was found that 86.5% of the women who underwent hip DXA did not exceed the minimum 10-year fracture risk threshold required for screening; 5.8% of them had osteoporosis and 61.0% osteopenia. According to the second criterion, 49.4% had no risk factors, 3.4% of these women had osteoporosis and 62.5% osteopenia. The results show that at least half the women screened did not meet osteoporosis screening criteria.

[Excessive osteoporosis screening in women under 65 years: a cross-sectional study]. / Excesivo rastreo de osteoporosis en mujeres menores de 65 años: estudio de corte transversal.

Overuse of osteoporosis screening in women at low risk of fracture may lead to overdiagnosis, inappropriate treatment and medicalization. The objective of this work was to estimate the proportion of women aged 45 to 64 enrolled in a private health insurance plan in Buenos Aires undergoing hip dual-energy x-ray absorptiometry (DXA) in 2011 without meeting osteoporosis screening criteria. In this cross-sectional study, 4310 women of this age range that had undergone a hip DXA were identified. A randomly selected sub-group of 401 women was then assessed for the presence of risk factors for osteoporosis and complete data were retrieved for 178 women. Appropriate screening was defined by two criteria: 1) having a 10-year fracture risk higher than that of a 65-year old woman (estimated using the FRAX® tool); 2) having at least one risk factor for fracture. It was found that 86.5% of the women who underwent hip DXA did not exceed the minimum 10-year fracture risk threshold required for screening; 5.8% of them had osteoporosis and 61.0% osteopenia. According to the second criterion, 49.4% had no risk factors, 3.4% of these women had osteoporosis and 62.5% osteopenia. The results show that at least half the women screened did not meet osteoporosis screening criteria.