Systems approach in planetary health education for medical students: a mixed methods study.

BACKGROUND: Introducing students to the "planetary health lenses" perspective is crucial. Comprehensive strategies for teaching this perspective are lacking, especially in the domains of "interconnection within nature (IWN)" and "systems thinking/complexity." There is also a scarcity of studies assessing medical students' opinions on planetary health and evaluating teaching strategies. OBJECTIVE: To understand Brazilian medical students' perceptions and knowledge of planetary health (PH) and evaluate the application of the educational material "Patient and Clinic through the Lens of Planetary Health," which addresses "IWN" and "complexity" through the sociological lens of Actor-Network Theory, in an integrative course at a medical school in Brazil. METHODS: A mixed-methods, quasi-experimental design involving two medical student classes during 2022/2023. Participants completed a questionnaire on sociodemographic data; pre- and post-intervention closed-ended questions about perceptions related to PH, and an open-ended questionnaire on experience and learning. Each student group presented a portfolio under the planetary health lenses regarding a real patient, developing a network diagram that described the social network involving both human and non-human actors with which this person is interconnected. The cohorts participated in "IWN" activities: a contemplative trail or reflection on belonging to the planet. RESULTS: Ninety-six students and 9 professors participated. The majority of students (66.7%) reported significant or extremely significant learning from the sessions. There was an increase in perception of the need for physicians to incorporate PH into their clinical practice (p = 0.002; r = 0.46) and an intensification of the sense of interconnection with the environment (p = 0.003; r = 0.46). There was a gain in knowledge about how many diseases were related to PH (p < 0.02 for all 13 listed diseases). The majority (83%) found the sessions relevant or highly relevant and commented on their impact, both professionally and personally. CONCLUSIONS: Teaching PH in a medical school allowed students to learn from the patient's perspective, considering psychosocial and environmental determinants, about the intrinsic interdependence between population's health and PH. This strategy made a significant contribution by proposing pioneering didactics and offering valuable insights into the challenges and nuances of teaching PH.

Carbon footprint of pressurized gas metered dose inhalers (pMDI) in Brazil and Porto Alegre: impacts and alternatives / La huella de carbono de los dispositivos inhaladores dosificados de gas presurizado (pMDI) en Brasil y en Porto Alegre: impactos y alternativas / Pegada de carbono dos dispositivos inalatórios dosimetrados de gás pressurizado (pMDI) no Brasil e em Porto Alegre: impactos e alternativas

Objective: To calculate the carbon footprint of pressurized gas-type metered-dose inhalers for asthma and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease control (COPD) dispensed by the brazilian national health service (SUS) in Brazil and in Porto Alegre (RS) in 2019. Method: Collection and analysis of data on the dispensation of salbutamol and beclomethasone by the SUS network and Farmácia Popular do Brasil in 2019, obtained by request to the Ministry of Health. Dispensations were multiplied by the proportional carbon footprint of each device using data already published in the literature. Results: In 2019, the prescription of pMDIs (pressurized metered-dose inhalers) within the Brazilian Unified Health System (SUS) resulted in the emission of approximately 24,889,141 to 60,878,728 metric tons of CO2 equivalent into the atmosphere across Brazil, which is equivalent to traveling by a typical gasoline-powered car from the northernmost to the southernmost point of the country between 23 to 57 million times. Furthermore, in the specific context of Porto Alegre, the emissions ranged from approximately 459,830 to 1,151,008 metric tons of CO2 equivalent, corresponding to traveling by a typical gasoline-powered car from the northernmost to the southernmost point of Brazil between 433,000 to 1 million times. Conclusion: The national health service in Brazil is responsible for emitting a massive amount of GHGs each year due to pMDI-type inhalation devices.  Switching to DPIs or SMIs in the indicated cases would avoid a great environmental damage, and at the same time would be of clinical benefit to patients, since they are the first choice currently recommended by the clinical guidelines for the treatment of asthma and COPD, promoting public health and, at the same time, planetary health.

Objetivo: Calcular la huella de carbono de los inhaladores de dosis medida de gas presurizado utilizados para el control del asma y la enfermedad pulmonar obstructiva crónica (EPOC) dispensados por el Sistema Único de Salud (SUS) en Brasil y en Porto Alegre (RS) en el año 2019. Método: Recopilación y análisis de datos de dispensación de salbutamol y beclometasona por la red SUS y Farmácia Popular do Brasil en 2019, obtenidos a través de una solicitud al Ministerio de Salud en virtud de la Ley de Acceso a la Información. Las dispensaciones se multiplicaron por la huella de carbono proporcional de cada dispositivo utilizando datos previamente publicados en la literatura. Resultados: La prescripción de los inhaladores de dosis medida de gas presurizado en el SUS en 2019 resultó en la emisión de entre 24,889,141 y 60,878,728 toneladas de CO2-eq en todo Brasil, equivalente a viajar en un automóvil de gasolina común desde el extremo norte hasta el extremo sur del país entre 23 y 57 millones de veces. En el caso de la ciudad de Porto Alegre, las emisiones oscilaron entre 459,830 y 1,151,008 toneladas de CO2-eq, lo que equivale a recorrer la distancia de norte a sur de Brasil entre 433,000 y 1 millón de veces en un automóvil de gasolina común. Conclusión: En el SUS, se emite una enorme cantidad de gases de efecto invernadero (GEE) cada año debido a los dispositivos inhaladores del tipo pMDI. El cambio a DPIs o SMIs en los casos indicados evitaría un gran daño ambiental y, al mismo tiempo, proporcionaría beneficios clínicos a los pacientes, ya que es la primera opción actualmente recomendada por las directrices clínicas para el tratamiento del asma y la EPOC, promoviendo la salud pública y al mismo tiempo la salud del planeta.

Objetivo: Calcular a pegada de carbono dos inaladores do tipo gás pressurizado dosimetrado para controle da asma e doença pulmonar obstrutiva crônica (DPOC) dispensados pelo Sistema Único de Saúde (SUS) no Brasil e em Porto Alegre (RS) no ano de 2019. Método: Coleta e análise de dados de dispensação de salbutamol e beclometasona pela rede SUS e Farmácia Popular do Brasil em 2019, obtidas por solicitação ao Ministério da Saúde através da Lei de Acesso à Informação. As dispensações foram multiplicadas pela pegada de carbono proporcional de cada dispositivo utilizando dados já publicados na literatura. Resultados: A prescrição de pMDI no SUS, em 2019, resultou entre 24.889.141 e 60.878.728 toneladas de CO2-eq liberados na atmosfera em todo o Brasil (equivalente a percorrer 23 a 57 milhões de vezes a distância de norte a sul do Brasil com um carro comum a gasolina); e entre 459.830 e 1.151.008 toneladas de CO2-eq na cidade de Porto Alegre (correspondente a percorrer 433mil a 1 milhão de vezes a distância de norte a sul do Brasil com um carro comum a gasolina). Conclusão: No SUS, emite-se enorme quantidade de GEEs a cada ano devido aos dispositivos inalatórios do tipo pMDI. A troca por DPIs ou SMIs nos casos indicados evitaria um grande dano ambiental, e ao mesmo tempo benefício clínico aos pacientes, pois trata-se da primeira escolha atual preconizada pelas diretrizes clínicas para o tratamento de asma e DPOC, promovendo a saúde pública e ao mesmo tempo a saúde planetária.

Is there a relationship between spirituality/religiosity and resilience? A systematic review and meta-analysis of observational studies.

Resilience is the ability to recover or cope with adverse situations. Spiritual and religious beliefs may be associated with important "resilience resources." To investigate whether there is a relationship between spirituality/religiosity (S/R) and resilience. This is a systematic review (observational studies) with meta-analysis following the PRISMA guidelines. From a total of 2468 articles, 34 observational studies were included. We identified a moderate positive correlation between S/R and resilience (r = 0.40 (95% CI, 0.32-0.48], p < 0.01). When only high-quality articles were included, the results were maintained. Conclusion: A moderate positive correlation was found between S/R and resilience.

Recuperação saudável: uma carta para os países do G20 sobre a pandemia da COVID-19 e a forma que a humanidade habita o planeta / Healthy recovery: a letter for the G20 countries about COVID-19 pandemic and the way humans inhabit the planet / Recuperación saludable: una carta a los países del G20 sobre la pandemia de COVID-19 y la forma en que la humanidad habita el planeta

A maior mobilização recente da comunidade da saúde em relação ao meio ambiente ocorreu este ano. Consistiu em uma carta assinada por mais de 350 organizações de saúde de todo o mundo, incluindo importantes organizações de Medicina de Família e Comunidade. Isto demonstra o crescente entendimento da comunidade científica e da saúde acerca da saúde planetária.

The biggest recent mobilization of the health community in relation to the environment occurred this year. It consisted of a letter signed by more than 350 health organizations from around the world, including important Family and Community Medicine organizations. This demonstrates the growing understanding of the scientific and health community about planetary health

La mayor movilización reciente de la comunidad de la salud en relación con el medio ambiente ocurrió este año. Consistió en una carta firmada por más de 350 organizaciones de salud de todo el mundo, incluidas las principales organizaciones de medicina familiar y comunitaria. Esto demuestra la creciente comprensión de la comunidad científica y de salud sobre la salud planetaria.

Espiritualidade e resiliência na atenção domiciliar / Spirituality and resilience in home care / Espiritualidad y resiliencia en la atención domiciliaria

Introdução: A atenção domiciliar (AD) caracteriza-se por práticas de cuidado que realizam abordagem integral do paciente em seu contexto familiar, socioeconômico e cultural. Religiosidade e espiritualidade atuam como mecanismos de fortalecimento da resiliência. Objetivo: Avaliar a relação entre religiosidade e espiritualidade com resiliência em pacientes em AD de Unidades de Saúde de Atenção Primária à Saúde (US-APS) de Porto Alegre (RS), Brasil. Métodos: estudo quantitativo transversal e descritivo, incluindo 44 adultos de quatro US-APS em AD por condições crônicas e problemas de saúde controlados/compensados com alguma dependência para atividades da vida diária. Foram utilizadas escalas de religiosidade (DUREL), espiritualidade (ARES), resiliência (RS-14), funcionalidade (Katz), sintomas depressivos (PHQ-2), suporte social (mMOS-SS), classificação econômica (ABEP 2016) e grau de severidade das condições clínicas (CIRS-G). Resultados: Pacientes avaliados são majoritariamente de sexo feminino (72,7 %), idosas (média 74 anos), viúvas, brancas, de baixo estrato socioeconômico, baixa escolaridade, aposentadas, com tempo médio de 7,5 anos de restrição domiciliar e grau moderado de resiliência. Os entrevistados apresentam altos índices de religiosidade e espiritualidade, sendo que 90,9% apresentam alta religiosidade intrínseca e 79,6% realizam práticas religiosas privadas uma ou mais vezes ao dia. A maioria (88,6%) considera importante que sua religiosidade e espiritualidade seja abordada em seus atendimentos de saúde, mas somente 20,5% já foram questionados sobre tal temática. Resiliência associou-se à maior espiritualidade (B=0,44; p=0,02), controlando-se este efeito para suporte social e sintomas depressivos; e à maior idade (B=0,18; p=0,02). Conclusão: O estudo corrobora a relevância da dimensão de religiosidade e espiritualidade e indica seu papel na promoção de resiliência nesta população em AD. Recomenda-se a abordagem da religiosidade e espiritualidade com esses indivíduos, fortalecendo o cuidado integral preconizado pela APS.

Introduction: Home Care (HC) is characterized by practices that perform integral approach of the patient in their family, socioeconomic and cultural context. Religiosity and spirituality as mechanisms for strengthening resilience. Objective: To evaluate the relationship between religiosity and spirituality with resilience in HC patients from Primary Health Care Units (PHC-U) of Porto Alegre (RS), Brazil. Methods: Cross-sectional and descriptive quantitative study including 44 adults from four PHC-U in HC due to chronic conditions and controlled/compensated health problems with some dependence on activities of daily living. We used religiousness (DUREL), spirituality (ARES), resilience (RS-14), functionality (Katz), depressive symptoms (PHQ-2), social support (mMOS-SS), economic classification (ABEP 2016) and severity of clinical conditions (CIRS-G) scales. Results: Most of the evaluated patients were female (72.7%), elderly (average 74 years), widows, white, low socioeconomic status, low education, retired, with an average time of 7.5 years of home restriction and with moderated degree of resilience. Respondents have high religiosity and spirituality rates, with 90.9% presenting high intrinsic religiosity and 79.6% performing private religious practices one or more times a day. Most (88.6%) consider important that their religiosity and spirituality is addressed in their health care, but only 20.5% have been asked about it. Resilience was associated with higher spirituality (B=0,44; p=0,02), controlling this effect for social support and depressive symptoms; and older age (B=0,18; p=0,02). Conclusion: The study corroborates the relevance of the religiosity and spirituality dimension and indicates its role in promoting resilience in this population in HC. The approach to religiosity and spirituality with these individuals is recommended, strengthening the integral care recommended by PHC.

Introducción: la atención domiciliaria (AD) se caracteriza por prácticas de atención que realizan un enfoque integral del paciente en su contexto familiar, socioeconómico y cultural. La religiosidad y la espiritualidad actúan como mecanismos para fortalecer la resiliencia. Objetivo: evaluar la relación entre la religiosidad y la espiritualidad con resiliencia en pacientes en AD de las Unidades de Salud de la Atención Primaria a la Salud (US-APS) de Porto Alegre (RS), Brasil. Métodos: estudio cuantitativo descriptivo y transversal que incluyó a 44 adultos de cuatro US-APS en AD debido a afecciones crónicas y problemas de salud controlados/compensados con cierta dependencia de las actividades de la vida diaria. Utilizamos escalas de religiosidad (DUREL), espiritualidad (ARES), resiliencia (RS-14), funcionalidad (Katz), síntomas depresivos (PHQ-2), apoyo social (mMOS-SS), clasificación económica (ABEP 2016) y gravedad de las condiciones clínicas (CIRS - G). Resultados: la mayoría de los pacientes evaluados eran mujeres (72.7%), ancianas (edad promedio 74 años), viudas, blancas, de bajo nivel socioeconómico, baja educación, jubiladas, con un tiempo promedio de 7.5 años de restricción domiciliaria y grado moderado de resiliencia. Los encuestados tienen altas tasas de la religiosidad y la espiritualidad, 90.9% tienen una alta religiosidad intrínseca y 79.6% realizan prácticas religiosas privadas una o más veces al día. La mayoría (88,6%) considera importante que su la religiosidad y la espiritualidad se aborde en su atención médica, pero solo al 20,5% se les ha preguntado al respecto. La resiliencia se asoció con una mayor espiritualidad (B=0,44; p=0,02), controlando este efecto para apoyo social y los síntomas depresivos, y la edad avanzada (B=0,18; p=0,02). Conclusión: el estudio corrobora la relevancia de la dimensión religiosa y espiritual e indica su papel en la promoción de la resiliencia en esta población en AD. Se recomienda el enfoque de la religiosidad y la espiritualidad con estas personas, fortaleciendo la atención integral recomendada por la APS.

Association between Spirituality and Adherence to Management in Outpatients with Heart Failure / Associação entre Espiritualidade e Adesão ao Tratamento em Pacientes Ambulatoriais com Insuficiência Cardíaca

Abstract Background: Spirituality may influence how patients cope with their illness. Objectives: We assessed whether spirituality may influence adherence to management of outpatients with heart failure. Methods: Cross sectional study enrolling consecutive ambulatory heart failure patients in whom adherence to multidisciplinary treatment was evaluated. Patients were assessed for quality of life, depression, religiosity and spirituality utilizing validated questionnaires. Correlations between adherence and psychosocial variables of interest were obtained. Logistic regression models explored independent predictors of adherence. Results: One hundred and thirty patients (age 60 ± 13 years; 67% male) were interviewed. Adequate adherence score was observed in 38.5% of the patients. Neither depression nor religiosity was correlated to adherence, when assessed separately. Interestingly, spirituality, when assessed by both total score sum (r = 0.26; p = 0.003) and by all specific domains, was positively correlated to adherence. Finally, the combination of spirituality, religiosity and personal beliefs was an independent predictor of adherence when adjusted for demographics, clinical characteristics and psychosocial instruments. Conclusion: Spirituality, religiosity and personal beliefs were the only variables consistently associated with compliance to medication in a cohort of outpatients with heart failure. Our data suggest that adequately addressing these aspects on patient’s care may lead to an improvement in adherence patterns in the complex heart failure management.

Resumo Fundamento: A espiritualidade pode influenciar a maneira com que os pacientes lidam com sua doença. Objetivos: Avaliamos a possibilidade de a espiritualidade influenciar a adesão ao tratamento de pacientes ambulatoriais com insuficiência cardíaca. Métodos: Estudo transversal com pacientes ambulatoriais com insuficiência cardíaca, cuja adesão ao tratamento multidisciplinar foi avaliada. Os pacientes foram avaliados sobre qualidade de vida, depressão, religiosidade e espiritualidade, utilizando questionários validados. Foram obtidas correlações entre adesão e variáveis psicossociais de interesse. Modelos de regressão logística exploraram preditores independentes de adesão. Resultados: Cento e trinta pacientes (idade 60 ± 13 anos; 67% masculinos) foram entrevistados. Observou-se adequado escore de adesão em 38,5% dos pacientes. Nem a depressão ou a religiosidade foram correlacionados à adesão, quando avaliados separadamente. É interessante notar que quando a espiritualidade foi avaliada por ambos, o somatório total de score (r = 0,26; p = 0,003) e os domínios específicos, ela estava positivamente correlacionada à adesão. Por fim, a combinação de espiritualidade, religiosidade e crenças pessoais mostrou-se um preditor independente de adesão quando ajustado às características demográficas, clínicas e a instrumentos psicossociais. Conclusão: Espiritualidade, religiosidade e crenças pessoais foram as únicas variáveis consistentemente associadas à adesão em relação à medicação em uma coorte de pacientes ambulatoriais com insuficiência cardíaca. Nossos dados sugerem que abordar adequadamente esses aspectos no cuidado com o paciente pode auxiliar a melhorar o padrão de adesão no complexo tratamento da insuficiência cardíaca.

Association between Spirituality and Adherence to Management in Outpatients with Heart Failure.

BACKGROUND: Spirituality may influence how patients cope with their illness. OBJECTIVES: We assessed whether spirituality may influence adherence to management of outpatients with heart failure. METHODS: Cross sectional study enrolling consecutive ambulatory heart failure patients in whom adherence to multidisciplinary treatment was evaluated. Patients were assessed for quality of life, depression, religiosity and spirituality utilizing validated questionnaires. Correlations between adherence and psychosocial variables of interest were obtained. Logistic regression models explored independent predictors of adherence. RESULTS: One hundred and thirty patients (age 60 ± 13 years; 67% male) were interviewed. Adequate adherence score was observed in 38.5% of the patients. Neither depression nor religiosity was correlated to adherence, when assessed separately. Interestingly, spirituality, when assessed by both total score sum (r = 0.26; p = 0.003) and by all specific domains, was positively correlated to adherence. Finally, the combination of spirituality, religiosity and personal beliefs was an independent predictor of adherence when adjusted for demographics, clinical characteristics and psychosocial instruments. CONCLUSION: Spirituality, religiosity and personal beliefs were the only variables consistently associated with compliance to medication in a cohort of outpatients with heart failure. Our data suggest that adequately addressing these aspects on patient's care may lead to an improvement in adherence patterns in the complex heart failure management.