Contextual inequalities in specialized dental public health care in Brazil.

The present study aimed to investigate the contextual inequalities of specialized public dental care (SPDC) in Brazil. The outcome was the trajectory of dental specialized production in municipalities with SPDC (from 2015 to 2017) obtained by group-based trajectory modeling. A Poisson regression model was used to analyze the factors associated with the high trajectory of SPDC production. The inequality indicators for SPDC production were the slope index and the concentration index according to contextual factors. The study included 954 SPDC units distributed across 893 municipalities. Among the municipalities evaluated, 62.9% had a low trajectory of SPDC. Large-sized municipalities had the highest production (IRR = 2.84, 95%CI: 1.94-4.14) and the southern region had the lowest production (IRR = 0.73, 95%CI: 0.58-0.92). Municipalities presenting a very high human development index (HDI) showed the greatest SPDC production (IRR = 3.34, 95%CI: 1.09-10.24), as well as municipalities with the highest tertile of schooling rate (IRR = 1.23, 95%CI: 1.00-1.50). The absolute inequality was 52.1 percentage points for the average monthly wage (p < 0.001), 61.0 percentage points for the HDI (p < 0.001), -22.1 for infant mortality rate (p <0.001), and 14.8 for the schooling rate (p = 0.012). Thus, there are contextual inequalities in the Brazilian SPDC. Higher scores for social indicators were associated with better SPDC performance.

Perception of parents and caregivers about the need for dental appointments for adolescents from a Brazilian birth cohort.

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the perception of parents or caregivers regarding the need for dental appointments for adolescents aged 12-13 years and associated factors. METHODS: Data from the Pelotas 2004 Birth Cohort were used. The outcome variable was the need for dental appointments for young adolescents perceived by parents or caregivers. Demographic and economic exposure variables were obtained from the first (2004) and sixth general follow-up (2015), respectively. The exposure variables 'previous history of dental pain', 'self-rated oral health', clinical variables and the outcome variable were obtained from the second oral health follow-up (2017). Unadjusted and adjusted multivariate Poisson regression analyses provided prevalence ratios (PR) and respective 95% confidence intervals (CI). RESULTS: At the first oral health follow-up (2009), 1303 five-year-old children were recruited, 996 of whom were reassessed and underwent oral health examinations at 12 and 13 years of age (response rate: 76.4%). The findings showed that 72.4% of parents/caregivers perceived that the adolescents needed dental appointments. No associations were found between the outcome and sociodemographic or economic variables. After adjustments, the outcome remained positively associated with previous history of toothache (PR 1.22; 95% CI 1.14-1.32), self-rated oral health as fair or poor (PR 1.26; 95% CI 1.15-1.39), the presence of dental caries (PR 1.27; 95% CI 1.20-1.38) and severe or disabling malocclusion (PR 1.14; 95% CI 1.05-1.25). CONCLUSIONS: The perception of parents/caregivers regarding the need for dental appointments on the part of their adolescent sons and daughters was associated with oral health problems, and these findings can serve as the basis for creating and improving oral health programmes that seek a better understanding on the part of parents and caregivers regarding the importance of integral care for their adolescent children.

Access to diabetes diagnosis in Brazil based on recent testing and consultation: The Brazilian national health survey, 2013 and 2019.

Background: Screening for undiagnosed diabetes using glucose testing is recommended globally to allow preventive action among those detected. Our aim was to evaluate the access to glucose testing to screen for diabetes in Brazil using self-reported information on recent testing and medical consultation from national surveys of Brazilian adults. Methods: The Pesquisa Nacional de Saúde (PNS) was conducted in 2013 and 2019 drawing probabilistic samples of Brazilians aged 18 years and above. To evaluate glucose testing among those undiagnosed, we excluded those self-reporting a previous diagnosis of diabetes. We then defined recent access to diabetes diagnosis by considering the previous two years and choosing the last blood glucose test and the proximal medical consultation reported. We used Poisson regression with robust variance to assess correlates of access, expressing them with adjusted prevalence ratios (PR) and their 95% confidence intervals. Results: Access to recent glucose testing documented that over 70% reported a recent glycemic test, 71% in 2013, and 77% in 2019. These findings are consistent with a wide recent access to medical consultation, 86% and 89% in 2013 and 2019, respectively. Reporting recent glucose testing and medical consultation may better reflect the actual access to medical diagnostic testing. When analyzing this joint outcome, diagnostic access was still wide, 67% and 74%, respectively. Greater access (p< 0.001) was seen for women (PR=1.16; 1.15-1.17), older individuals (PR=1.25; 1.22-1.28), and those with higher education (PR=1.17; 1.15-1.18), obesity (PR=1.06; 1.05-1.08), and hypertension (PR=1.12; 1.11-1.13). In contrast, lower access (p<0.001) was seen for those declaring being Black (PR=0.97; 0.95-0.99) or of mixed-race (PR=0.97; 0.96-0.98), those residing in rural areas (PR=0.89; 0.87-0.90), and not having a private health insurance plan (PR=0.85; 0.84-0.86). Conclusions: Although access to diagnostic testing for diabetes is high in Brazil, partly due to its universal health system, social inequities are still present, demanding specific actions, particularly in rural areas and among those self-declaring as being Black or mixed-race.

Distance learning course improves primary care dentists' diagnosis and self-efficacy in the management of oral lesions.

Oral cancer represents a public health issue because of its high mortality rate, resulting mainly from diagnostic delays. Insufficient training in oral diagnosis is usually perceived by dentists. Distance learning could be used as an auxiliary tool to bridge that gap. This study evaluated the impact of a distance learning course on oral mucosal lesion diagnosis offered to public healthcare dentists. Participants of an online course answered a pretest/posttest comprising clinical images of 30 clinical cases. Participants were questioned about the diagnosis and informed their decision on the cases (referring the cases to a specialist or managing them themselves), as a parameter of perceived self-efficacy. A total of 442 dentists enrolled in the course. Their pass rate was 97%. Classification of the nature of the lesions, diagnostic hypotheses, sensitivity, and specificity improved by 13.4%, 10.0%, 13.4%, and 6.6%, respectively (p<0.01, Wilcoxon test). Regarding management, there was a 16.6% reduction in the intention to refer cases, while confidence in the diagnosis of benign lesions increased by 40%. A distance learning course may be useful in continuing education actions for primary care dentists, improving their diagnostic abilities and encouraging them in the management of oral lesions. Moreover, this strategy could contribute to disseminating knowledge to remote regions, particularly among primary health care professionals.

Primary health care for 21st century: first results of the new financing model. / Atenção primária à saúde para o século XXI: primeiros resultados do novo modelo de financiamento.

Since 1994, Brazil has been offering Primary Health Care (PHC) services based on the Family Health Strategy. The ESF has achieved important results. During this period, the PHC financing model did not undergo major methodological changes. In this article, the results of the new financing model for PHC approved in a tripartite manner in 2019, Previne Brasil, are laid out, which is composed of (i) weighted capitation, (ii) incentives for specific and strategic actions and, (iii) payment for performance. These first results reveal the increase of more than 50 million people with qualified and unique registration, associated with the record number of more than 52 thousand FH / eAP teams financed by the Ministry of Health, with more than 35 thousand of which (67%) using electronic medical records . In addition, the registration of people and professionals of the Brazilian PHC, together with SISAB, is the largest set of demographic and clinical health data in the world. These advances favor the overcoming of difficulties to achieve greater access, longitudinality and coordination of care, qualifying the Brazilian PHC in search of better health outcomes.

O Brasil, desde 1994, oferta serviços de atenção primária à saúde (APS) a partir da Estratégia Saúde da Família (ESF). A ESF alcançou resultados importantes. Nesse período, o modelo de financiamento da APS não sofreu alterações metodológicas importantes. Neste artigo, descreve-se os resultados do novo modelo de financiamento para APS aprovado de forma tripartite em 2019, o "Previne Brasil", que é composto por (i) capitação ponderada, (ii) incentivos a ações específicas e estratégicas e (iii) pagamento por desempenho. Esses primeiros resultados revelam o incremento de mais de 50 milhões de pessoas com cadastro qualificado e único, associado ao número recorde de mais de 52 mil equipes de Saúde da Família/Equipe de Atenção Primária (EAP) financiadas pelo Ministério da Saúde, sendo mais de 35 mil (67%) com uso de prontuário eletrônico. Além disso, o cadastro das pessoas e dos profissionais da APS brasileira junto ao Sistema de Informação em Atenção Básica (SISAB) se configura como o maior conjunto de dados demográficos e clínicos de saúde do mundo. Esses avanços favorecem a superação das dificuldades para o alcance de maior acesso, longitudinalidade e coordenação do cuidado, qualificando a APS brasileira em busca de melhores resultados em saúde.

Oral Medicine Experience and Attitudes Toward Oral Cancer: An Evaluation of Dentists Working in Primary Health Care.

This analytical, cross-sectional, observational study aimed to evaluate the perception of dentists working at the public system of the state of Rio Grande do Sul, southern Brazil, regarding academic training to treat oral lesions, adoption of preventive measures for oral cancer, and attitude toward the need to perform oral biopsies. The sample consisted of questionnaires filled out by 192 dentists (153 women and 39 men) working in primary health care who participated in training activities on oral cancer diagnosis in July 2016. To enroll in the training activities, the professionals completed an online questionnaire to evaluate their perceptions regarding oral cancer issues. With respect to preventive measures, 96.88% of dentists reported performing full mouth examination, 87.50% reported providing tobacco cessation counseling, and 51.04% reported giving advice on excessive alcohol consumption. In addition, 72.40% and 44.79% of dentists considered, respectively, clinical training and theory instruction in oral medicine to be insufficient during undergraduate school. Only 8.33% reported performing biopsies in daily clinical routine, and almost 90% reported referring the patient to a specialist from the public system or universities. Lack of experience was the main reason not to perform a biopsy. The dentists in our sample recognize the importance of preventive measures for oral cancer, but few of them perform biopsies regularly. Therefore, there is a need for continuing education actions including practical training.

Use of Health Services and Family Health Strategy Households Population Coverage in Brazil.

The objective of this study is to describe the profile of use of primary health care services, estimated by the PNS, of the population living in households registered and not registered with the Famly Health Strategy - FHS, in the years 2013 and 2019. Cross-sectional study carried out using microdata from national health surveys 2013 and 2019. The sample originated from a master sample, consisting of a set of units from selected areas in a register..The variables sex, age, skin color, income, education, self-perceived health, home registered with the FHS, medical care in the last year, type of service you seek when you are ill were selected. The dependent variables were use of health services and use of public health services. The dependent and independent variables were described with the respective confidence interval and adjusted logistic regression was performed for each outcome analyzed. In public health services, lower income, have chronic diseases (arterial hypertension or high cholesterol), be pregnant, and having a bad self-perception of health were associated with used more health services in both periods. Living in registered households was associated with more used health services (public or private). The family health strategy is an important strategy for expanding access equally.

Primary Care Assessment Tool: regional differences based on the National Health Survey from Instituto Brasileiro de Geografia e Estatística. / Primary Care Asssement Tool: diferenças regionais a partir da Pesquisa Nacional de Saúde do Instituto Brasileiro de Geografia e Estatística.

In 2019, unprecedentedly among the official statistical institutes worldwide, the IBGE included a particular module on evaluating primary health care in its central population-based population survey, the National Health Survey (PNS-2019). The survey considered the reduced version of the Primary Care Assessment Tool (PCAT), developed and disseminated by Starfield and Shi, to assess the existence and extent of the structure and process characteristics of PHC services. It is the most significant probabilistic sample using this instrument ever conducted in a single country in the world that interviewed users aged 18 or over (n=9,677). The results of the Brazilian overall PCAT scores (5.9 [5.8; 5.9]) point to significant regional and intraregional contrasts, with the South of the country standing out with the best evaluations of primary care services (overall score = 6.3 [6.2; 6.5]) and the North with the worse (overall score = 5,5 [5,3; 5,7]). There were also statistically significant and more favorable differences between residents of households registered by family health teams, among older adults, and those using health services the most (adults with reported morbidities).

Em 2019, o Instituto Brasileiro de Geografia e Estatística (IBGE) de forma inédita entre os institutos oficiais de estatística em todo o mundo, incluiu um módulo especial sobre avaliação da atenção primária à saúde em seu principal inquérito populacional de base domiciliar, a Pesquisa Nacional de Saúde (PNS). O inquérito considerou a versão reduzida do instrumento Primary Care Assessment Tool (PCAT), desenvolvida e disseminada por Starfield e Shi para avaliar a existência e extensão das características de estrutura e processos dos serviços de atenção primária em saúde. Trata-se da maior amostra probabilística com o uso desse instrumento já realizada em um único país do mundo que entrevistou usuários com 18 anos ou mais (n = 9.677). Os resultados dos escores gerais do PCAT do Brasil (5,9 [5,8; 5,9]) apontam grandes contrastes regionais e intraregionais, com a região Sul do país destacando-se com as melhores avaliações dos serviços de atenção primária (escore geral = 6,3 [6,2; 6,5]) e a região norte, por outro lado, com as menores (escore geral = 5,5 [5,3; 5,7]). Foram também observadas diferenças estatisticamente significantes e mais favoráveis entre os moradores de domicílios cadastrados pelas equipes de saúde da família, entre os mais idosos e entre que mais utilizam os serviços de saúde (adultos com morbidades referidas).

Validation of the Brazilian version of Primary Care Assessment Tool (PCAT) for Oral Health - PCATool Brazil Oral Health for Professionals.

This study verified the internal consistency and reliability of an instrument to evaluate dental services in Primary Health Care (PHC). In order to verify the factor validity, a factor analysis with principal component extraction and varimax orthogonal rotation method was used. Factors with three or more items with factor loadings greater than 0,35 were selected. This instrument's reliability was verified using internal consistency (total item correlation >0,30 and Cronbach alpha = or >0,70)). 562 dentists participated in the study. In the factor analysis, ten factors were kept, which explain 40,95% of the total variation. Regarding the internal consistency, only 3 items presented insufficient correlation. Also on internal consistency, using Cronbach's alpha, the following values of the coefficients were identified: Access (0.55), Continuity (0,74), Care Coordination (0,55), Coordination - Information System (0.21), Comprehensiveness of Services Available (0,91), Comprehensiveness of Services Provided (0,79), Family Orientation (0.66), Community Orientation (0,87), Cultural Competence (0,81). For the success ratio of the scale, all results were higher than 88%, less the "Information Systems" component (21%).

COVID-19 Pandemic impact on Brazil's Public Dental System.

The present study aimed to estimate the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on dental care procedures in the Public Health System in Brazil. A retrospective, ecological study was carried out, comprising 5,564 Brazilian municipalities. The number of dental procedures (per 100,000 inhabitants) performed in the Brazilian Public Health System (SUS) was the outcome. The impact of the pandemic was estimated by comparing the rate of procedures for each month of 2020 with the rates observed in the equivalent months in 2019, considering the period from March to August. Regulatory legislation regarding restrictions on dental care, issued by the state governments of 27 Brazilian federative units, was used for mediation analysis. A 55% reduction was observed in March for all procedures (IRR = 0.45, 95%CI 0.39-0.51), while in the other months, the rate of reduction remained ≥ 88%. The biggest decrease was observed in collective preventive procedures (reduction ≥99%) between April and August. Procedures that were less likely to generate aerosols (tooth extraction and prosthetic) and emergencies showed the smallest reduction. The reduction was not mediated by the restrictions imposed by state governments (p>0.05). The impact of the COVID-19 pandemic was noteworthy in terms of the decrease in the number of dental procedures carried out in the Brazilian Public Dental Service. The lack of access, the delay of elective procedures and the lack of preventive collective procedures could result in an overburdened system, post-Pandemic.

Impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on prenatal, diabetes and medical appointments in the Brazilian National Health System.

OBJECTIVES: The purpose of this study was to describe the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on Primary Health Care in Brazil. METHODOLOGY: This retrospective ecological study was carried out using Brazilian municipality data obtained from the information systems of the National Public Health System. The outcomes were medical appointments, prenatal procedures and diabetes care. The exposure variable was the occurrence of the COVID-19 pandemic, based on the first case reported in Brazil. Multilevel mixed-effects negative binomial regression was used to analyze the association between the number of procedures per 10,000 inhabitants and COVID-19. RESULTS: Data from 5,564 Brazilian municipalities were included in the present study. Regarding medical appointments, the largest reduction occasioned by the pandemic occurred in May (IRR = 0.27, 95%CI 0.24 - 0.30). Prenatal procedures were reduced by 65% (IRR = 0.35, 95%CI 0.32 - 0.38), also in May. In addition, diabetes care saw the biggest reductions in April 2020 (IRR = 0.24, 95%CI 0.11 - 0.53) and May 2020 (IRR = 0.19, 95%CI 0.09 - 0.43). From February to December 2020, the pandemic had a significant effect on the total number of procedures evaluated. CONCLUSION: The findings showed a reduction in prenatal procedures, diabetes and medical consultations performed in Brazil's Primary Health Care, following the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Innovations in the national household random sampling in Brazilian National Health Survey: results from Starfield and Shi's adult primary care assessment tool (PCAT).

BACKGROUND: Several middle and upper income countries carry out household surveys that seek to trace the profile of access and use of health services. Probably one of the most ambitious examples is Brazil, with its National Health Survey (PNS-2019). We evaluated PNS-2019, presenting in an unprecedented way, one of its innovations, which refer to Starfield and Shi's adult Primary Care Assessment Tool (PCAT). METHODS: Based on a cross-sectional study, we evaluated Module H of the PNS-2019, which interviewed a probabilistic sample of about 10,000 adults in 2019 in all 27 Brazilian states. According to the PCAT methodology, an average score equal to or above 6.6 indicates a greater orientation and quality of the evaluated primary care services. RESULTS: Brazilian overall PCAT score [5, 9] reveals the need to improve primary health care services across the country. There were no statistically significant differences in the scores by sex (men and women, 5.9), and race (whites 5.9 [5.7; 6.0] and brown / black 5.9 [5.8; 6.0]). On the other hand, there was a difference in terms of age. The elderly evaluated the services in a more positive way (score = 6.1 [6.0; 6.2]), when compared to those aged 40-59 years (5.9 [5.7; 6.0]) and 18 to 39 years (5.6 [5.5; 5.8]). First results of PNS-2019 show that the population that most needs primary care services in SUS is the one with the best perception and the most positive evaluation of the actions and procedures offered in health facilities. DISCUSSION: During 2019, Brazil undertook important structural reforms in PHC based on a new financing model with the aim of inducing an improvement in efficiency and strengthening its attributes. It is essential that countries with universal health coverage (UHC) guarantee access to their population and, especially, the most vulnerable, seek better efficiency of these services and regularly assess PHC based on the population's perception, through an independent methodology that monitor the quality of services and the strength of PHC, generating value for public resources applied to health services.

RESUMO: INTRODUçãO: Vários países de renda média e alta realizam pesquisas domiciliares que procuram traçar o perfil de acesso e uso dos serviços de saúde. Provavelmente um dos exemplos mais ambiciosos é o Brasil, com sua PNS. Avaliamos esse inquérito e apresentamos, de forma inédita uma de suas inovações, que se refere ao uso do instrumento Primary Care Assessment Tool (PCAT). MéTODOS: Com base em um estudo transversal, avaliamos o Módulo H da PNS-2019, que entrevistou uma amostra probabilística de cerca de 10.000 adultos em 2019 em todos os 27 estados brasileiros. De acordo com a metodologia do PCAT, um escore médio igual ou acima de 6,6 indica uma maior orientação e qualidade dos serviços de atenção primária avaliados. RESULTADOS: O escore médio geral do PCAT no Brasil foi de 5,9, revelando a necessidade de melhoria dos serviços de atenção primária à saúde em todo o país. Não houve diferenças estatisticamente significantes nos escores por sexo (homens e mulheres, 5,9) e raça (brancos 5,9 [5,7; 6,0] e pardos / pretos 5,9 [5,8; 6,0]). Por outro lado, houve diferença em termos de idade. Os idosos avaliaram os serviços de forma mais positiva (escore = 6,1 [6,0; 6,2]), quando comparados aos de 40­59 anos (5,9 [5,7; 6,0]) e 18 a 39 anos (5,6 [5,5; 5,8]). Os primeiros resultados da PNS-2019 mostram que a população que mais necessita dos serviços de atenção básica no SUS é aquela que tem melhor percepção e avaliação mais positiva das ações e procedimentos oferecidos nas unidades de saúde. DISCUSSãO: Durante o ano de 2019, o Brasil fez reformas estruturais importantes na APS a partir de um novo modelo de financiamento, com o objetivo de induzir uma melhoria da eficiência e fortalecer seus atributos. É fundamental que países com sistemas de saúde de cobertura universal, garantam acesso a sua população e, em especial, aos mais vulneráveis; busquem melhor eficiência desses serviços e avaliem regularmente a APS a partir da percepção da população, por meio de uma metodologia independente que monitore a qualidade dos serviços e a força da APS, gerando valor aos recursos públicos aplicados nos serviços de saúde.

Impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on Prenatal, Diabetes and medical appointments in the Brazilian National Health System / Impacto da pandemia COVID-19 no Pré-natal, Diabetes e consulta médica no Sistema Único de Saúde Brasileiro

Objectives: the purpose of this study was to describe the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on Primary Health Care in Brazil. Methods: This retrospective ecological study was carried out using Brazilian municipality data obtained from the information systems of the National Public Health System. The outcomes were medical appointments, prenatal procedures and diabetes care. The exposure variable was the occurrence of the COVID-19 pandemic, based on the first case notified in Brazil. Multilevel mixed-effects negative binomial regression was used to analyze the association between the number of procedures per 10,000 inhabitants and COVID-19. Results: Data from 5,564 Brazilian municipalities were included in the present study. Regarding medical appointments, the largest reduction occasioned by the pandemic occurred in May (IRR = 0.27, CI 95% [0.24 ­ 0.30]). As far as prenatal procedures are concerned, the reduction was 65% (IRR= 0.35, CI 95% [0.32 ­ 0.38], also in May. In addition, diabetes care saw the biggest reductions in April 2020 (IRR = 0.24, CI 95% [0.11 ­ 0.53]) and May 2020 (IRR = 0.19, CI 95% [0.09 ­ 0.43]). From February to December 2020, the pandemic had a significant effect on the total number of procedures evaluated. Conclusion: The findings showed a reduction in prenatal procedures, diabetes and medical consultations performed in Brazil's Primary Health Care, subsequent to the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Objetivos: o objetivo do estudo foi descrever o impacto da pandemia COVID-19 na Atenção Primária à Saúde Brasileira. Métodos: Estudo ecológico retrospectivo realizado com dados de municípios Brasileiros dos sistemas de informação do Sistema Único de Saúde. Os desfechos do estudo foram as consultas médicas, procedimentos de pré-natal e tratamento de diabetes. A exposição foi a ocorrência da pandemia de COVID-19, a partir do primeiro caso notificado no Brasil. Regressões binomiais negativas de efeitos mistos multinível foram utilizadas para analisar a associação entre o número de procedimentos por 10.000 habitantes e a pandemia de COVID-19. Resultados: Dados de 5.564 municípios brasileiros foram incluídos no presente estudo. Em relação à consulta médica, a maior redução devido à pandemia ocorreu em maio (IRR = 0,27, IC 95% [0,24 - 0,30]). Para os procedimentos de pré-natal, a redução foi de 65% (IRR= 0.35, IC 95% [0.32 ­ 0.38]) em maio. Ainda assim, os procedimentos de tratamento do diabetes tiveram maiores reduções em abril (IRR = 0,24, IC 95% [0,11 - 0,53]) e maio (IRR = 0,19, IC 95% [0,09 - 0,43]) de 2020. De fevereiro a dezembro de 2020 a pandemia impactou significantemente no total de procedimentos avaliados. Conclusão: Os achados mostraram uma redução de procedimentos de pré-natal, diabetes e consultas médicas realizadas na Atenção Primária à Saúde do Brasil, após o início da pandemia de COVID-19.

Federal actions to support and strengthen local efforts to combat COVID-19: Primary Health Care (PHC) in the driver's seat. / Ações federais para apoio e fortalecimento local no combate ao COVID-19: a Atenção Primária à Saúde (APS) no assento do condutor.

The Ministry of Health, through the Primary Health Care Secretariat and in partnership with the Secretariat of Health Surveillance, built and implemented Primary Health Care (PHC) strategies within the scope of support to local managers and in partnership with the National Health Secretaries Council (CONASS) and the National Municipal Health Secretariats Council (CONASEMS) to combat COVID-19. These actions have PHC as the main responsible for several areas and physical, human, and financial resources, as well as allow boosting national progress towards the use of information and communication technologies and new partnerships for conducting research.

O Ministério da Saúde, por intermédio da Secretaria de Atenção Primária à Saúde e em parceria com a Secretaria de Vigilância em Saúde construiu e implementou estratégias da Atenção Primária à Saúde (APS) no âmbito do apoio aos gestores locais e em articulação com o Conselho Nacional de Secretários Estaduais (CONASS) e Municipais de Saúde (CONASEMS) para o combate ao COVID-19. Essas ações têm a APS como a grande responsável por diversas áreas e recursos físicos, humanos e financeiros, assim como permite impulsionar o avanço nacional para o uso de tecnologias de informação e comunicação e novas parcerias para realização de pesquisas.

Perceived usability of a store and forward telehealth platform for diagnosis and management of oral mucosal lesions: A cross-sectional study.

EstomatoNet was created in the south of Brazil to provides specialist support over a web-based platform to primary care dentists for diagnosis of oral lesions. To evaluate the usability of EstomatoNet and to identify user perceptions regarding their expectations and difficulties with the system; and to compare the perceptions of regular users of the service to those of first-time users. Sixteen dentists were selected for the study: 8 were frequent users of EstomatoNet and 8 were residents who had never used the Platform. To assess usability, participants were required to request telediagnosis support for a fictional case provided by the research team. During the process of uploading the information and sending the request, users were asked to "think out loud," expressing their perceptions. The session was observed by an examiner with remote access to the user's screen (via Skype). After the simulation, users completed the System Usability Scale (SyUS), a validated tool with scores ranging from 0 to 100. The mean SyUS score assigned by frequent users was 84.7±6.6, vs. 82.2±9.3 for residents (satisfactory usability: score above 68). The difference between the groups was not statistically significant (Student t test, P = .55). The residents group took longer (347.1±101.1s) to complete the task than frequent users (252.8±80.3s); however, the difference between the groups was not statistically significant (Student t test, P = .06). In their subjective evaluation, users suggested the inclusion of a field to add further information on outcomes and resolution of the case and changes in the position of the "Send" button to improve workflow. The present results indicate satisfactory usability of EstomatoNet. The Platform seems to meet the needs of users regardless of how experienced they are; nevertheless, a few minor changes in some steps would improve the tool.

Primary Health Care Portfolio: Assuring of integrality in the Family Health and Oral Health Teams in Brazil. / Carteira de Serviços da Atenção Primária à Saúde: garantia de integralidade nas Equipes de Saúde da Família e Saúde Bucal no Brasil.

More than 30 years into the anniversary of the Unified Health System (SUS), 40 years after Alma-Ata, and soon after the Astana Conference, the Brazilian Ministry of Health proposes several strategies to strengthen PHC with the creation of the Primary Health Care Secretariat (SAPS). This paper presents the process of developing the national PHC service portfolio, one of the strategies developed by SAPS to strengthen the PHC clinic, and the challenges for the expansion of comprehensive care in the actions developed by the Family Health and Oral Health teams. After the public consultation, from a total of 209 initially listed actions and procedures, including incorporations and exclusions, 210 items were defined, including the actions planned for the integration between primary care and health surveillance. We emphasize that the national portfolio model can be adapted to the reality and municipal context in each of the federation units, including considering the availability of the local care network.

Ao ultrapassarmos os 30 anos do Sistema Único de Saúde (SUS), após 40 anos de Alma-Ata e logo após a Conferência de Astana, o Ministério da Saúde do Brasil propõe diversas estratégias de fortalecimento da APS com a criação da Secretaria de Atenção Primária à Saúde (SAPS). Este artigo apresenta o processo de desenvolvimento da carteira nacional de serviços para a APS, uma das estratégias desenvolvidas pela SAPS para fortalecimento da clínica na APS, e os desafios para a ampliação da integralidade do cuidado nas ações desenvolvidas pelas equipes de Saúde da Família e Saúde Bucal. Após a consulta pública, de um total de 209 ações e procedimentos inicialmente listados, entre incorporações e exclusões, foram definidos 210 itens, incluindo as ações previstas para a integração entre atenção primária e vigilância em saúde. Ressaltamos que o modelo da carteira nacional pode ser adaptado à realidade e contexto municipal em cada uma das unidades da federação, inclusive considerando a disponibilidade da rede de atenção local.