Increasing primary care capacity and referral efficiency: A case study of a telehealth centre eConsult service in Brazil.

INTRODUCTION: eConsults are asynchronous digital communications for primary care professionals to seek timely specialist advice. Potential benefits include increased primary healthcare capacity and referral efficiency. Santa Catarina Telehealth Centre in Brazil has offered eConsults for an increasing number of specialties since 2008. This study described the characteristics of this service, including referral efficiency, sustainability, and satisfaction. METHODS: Retrospective longitudinal analysis of eConsults activity data from 2015 to 2022 with three domains of the Model for Assessment of Telemedicine Applications used to structure the analysis. RESULTS: Characteristics of the application: The total number of eConsults performed in 2015 was 4764, reaching 41,178 in 2022. While 30.3% of eConsults were synchronous in 2015, only asynchronous communication remained from 2021. Clinical effectiveness: eConsults requested to refer patients to specialist care resulting in primary care management remaining above 30% of the total for all specialties from 2019 to 2022, with hematology having the highest percentage (>52%). Organizational aspects: Established workflows with local specialists responding to eConsults (cardiology, endocrinology, hematology and orthopaedics) kept a constant or increasing number of eConsults and maintained the proportion of primary care management from 2019 to 2022, once recovered from COVID-19 and funding restrictions-related reductions. Over 90% of primary care professionals are either satisfied or very satisfied with the eConsult service. CONCLUSION: Over 8 years, 223,734 consultations were conducted, with high satisfaction, demonstrating the substantial potential for increased primary care-sensitive conditions management. Hiring local specialists, fostering integrated care, and enabling sustainable workflows are key to eConsults' success.

Telephone versus video consultations: A systematic review of comparative effectiveness studies and guidance for choosing the most appropriate modality.

OBJECTIVE: This systematic review compared clinical, service and cost effectiveness of telephone consultations (TC) to video consultations (VC). METHODS: We searched Embase, CINAHL and MEDLINE for empirical studies that compared TC to VC using clinical, service or economic outcome measures. Clinician or patient preference and satisfaction studies were excluded. Findings were synthesised descriptively. RESULTS: A total of 79 articles were included. The most effective modality was found to be VC in 40 studies (50%) and TC in 3 (4%). VC and TC were found to be equivalent in 28 of the included articles (35%). VC were superior or equivalent to TC for all clinical outcomes. When compared to TC, VC were likely to have better patient engagement and retention, to improve transfer decisions, and reduce downstream sub-acute care utilisation. The impact of telehealth modality on consultation time, completion rates, failure-to-attend rates and acute care utilisation was mixed. VC were consistently found to be more cost effective despite having a higher incremental cost than TC. CONCLUSIONS: Our systematic review demonstrates equal or better, but not inferior clinical and cost outcomes for consultations delivered by VC when compared to TC. VC appear to be more clinically effective when visual information is required, when verbal communication with the patient is impaired and when patient engagement and retention is linked to clinical outcomes. We have provided conditions where VC should be used in preference to TC. These can be used by clinicians to guide the choice of telehealth modality. Cost effectiveness is also important to consider when choosing modality.

Working Together to Improve Type 2 Diabetes Care: A Participatory Design Project to Address Identified Needs of People With Diabetes and Their Health-care Professionals.

OBJECTIVES: Diabetes care in Australia is often fragmented and provider-centred, resulting in suboptimal care. Innovative solutions are needed to bridge the evidence-practice gap, and technology can facilitate the redesign of type 2 diabetes care. We used Participatory Design to increase the chances of fulfilling stakeholders' needs. Using this method, we explored solutions aimed at redesigning diabetes care, focussing on the previously identified needs. METHODS: The Participatory Design project was guided by stakeholders' contributions. Stakeholders of this project included people with type 2 diabetes, health-care professionals, technology developers, and researchers. Information uncovered at each step influenced the next: 1) identification of needs, 2) generation of solutions, and 3) testing of solutions. Here, we present steps 2 and 3. In step 2, we presented previously identified issues and elicited creative solutions. In step 3, we obtained stakeholders' feedback on the solutions from step 2, presented as care pathways. RESULTS: Suggested solutions included a multidisciplinary wellness centre, a mobile app, increased access to education, improved care coordination, increased support for general practitioners, and a better funding model. The revised care pathways featured accessible community resources, a tailored self-management and educational app, a care coordinator, a digital dashboard, and specialized support for primary care to deal with complex cases. CONCLUSIONS: Using a Participatory Design, we successfully identified multiple innovative solutions with the potential to improve person-centred and integrated type 2 diabetes care in Australia. These solutions will inform the implementation and evaluation of a redesigned care model by our team.

How do Twitter users feel about telehealth? A mixed-methods analysis of experiences, perceptions and expectations.

BACKGROUND: Telehealth use has increased considerably in the last years and evidence suggests an overall positive sentiment towards telehealth. Twitter has a wide userbase and can enrich our understanding of telehealth use by users expressing their personal opinions in an unprompted way. This study aimed to explore Twitter users' experiences, perceptions and expectations about telehealth over the last 5 years. METHODS: Mixed-methods study with sequential complementary quantitative and qualitative phases was used for analysis stages comprising (1) a quantitative semiautomated analysis and (2) a qualitative research-led thematic analysis. A machine learning model was used to establish the data set with relevant English language tweets from 1 September 2017 to 1 September 2022 relating to telehealth using predefined search words. Results were integrated at the end. RESULTS: From the initial 237,671 downloaded tweets, 6469 had a relevancy score above 0.8 and were input into Leximancer and 595 were manually analysed. Experiences, perceptions and expectations were categorised into three domains: experience with telehealth consultation, telehealth changes over time and the purpose of the appointment. The most tweeted experience was expectations for telehealth consultation in comparison to in-person consultations. Users mostly mentioned the hope that waiting times for the consultations to start to be less than in-person, more telehealth appointments to be available and telehealth to be cheaper. Perceptions around the use of telehealth in relation to healthcare delivery changes brought about by the COVID-19 pandemic were also expressed. General practitioners were mentioned six times more than other healthcare professionals. CONCLUSION/IMPLICATIONS: This study found that Twitter users expect telehealth services to be better, more affordable and more available than in-person consultations. Users acknowledged the convenience of not having to travel for appointments and the challenges to adapt to telehealth. PATIENT OR PUBLIC CONTRIBUTION: An open data set with 237,671 tweets expressing users' opinions in an unprompted way was used as a source for telehealth service users, caregivers and members of the public experiences, perceptions and expectations of telehealth.

Trust and confidence in using telehealth in people with chronic kidney disease: A cross-sectional study.

Consumer trust and confidence in telehealth is pivotal to successful service implementation and effective consultations. This cross-sectional study measured trust and confidence in telephone and video consultations and associated with experience in telehealth modalities among people with chronic kidney disease at a metropolitan hospital in Australia. Self-report data were collected using validated trust and confidence in telehealth scales and 5-point Likert responses. Non-parametric tests were used to compare trust and confidence in telephone and video consultations (Wilcoxon Matched Pairs) and associations with telehealth experience (Mann-Whitney). Of the 156 survey participants, 96.2% had used telephone consultations and 28.9% had used video. Overall trust and confidence in using telehealth were high. Confidence (range 1-5) in using telephone consultations (mean 3.75 ± 0.71) was significantly higher than video consultation (mean 3.64 ± 0.74), p = 0.039. Trust in telephone consultations (mean 3.93 ± 0.64) was significantly higher than in video consultations (mean 3.67 ± 0.66), p < 0.001. There was a significant association between experience with telephone consultations and reported levels of trust and confidence in telephone consultations. Experience with video was significantly related to trust in video consultations, but not confidence. Given the substantial difference in experience between telehealth modalities, trust and confidence may change as further exposure occurs.

Health professionals' views of medical teleconsultation uptake in the Brazilian Unified Health System: A description using the NASSS framework.

BACKGROUND: The COVID-19 pandemic accelerated efforts to deploy and regulate medical teleconsultation in Brazil. Studying the Brazilian Unified Public Health System (SUS) experiences in implementing teleconsultations can help to inform their sustainability. This study identifies the changes required to integrate specialized teleconsultation in local workflows in SUS. METHODS: A case study of teleconsultation performed by a University Hospital and a Municipal Specialty Outpatient Clinic in the south of Brazil collected information from two focus groups with specialised doctors, two key informant interviews and associated documents. The Non-adoption, Abandonment, Scale-up, Spread, and Sustainability (NASSS) framework domains of condition, technology, proposal value, users and organization informed a qualitative thematic analysis of this data. RESULTS: Several forms of teleconsultation were used to manage paediatrics and endocrine conditions including instant messaging, WhatsApp, telephone calls and video consultations which were also used for dermatology. In Brazil, telephone interactions are not considered teleconsultation. In contrast, video consultations were longer than face-to-face appointments, facilitate the understanding and evaluation of conditions, and offered continuity of care, comfort, and safety, without the need for patients to travel, reducing the risk of infection. Patients accepted video consultations to varying degrees but some found it difficult to use the technology. The willingness of doctors to provide any form of teleconsultation was important. Management support was key to defining workflows, coordinating care pathways, and providing technical support. CONCLUSIONS: This study highlights particularities of teleconsultation uptake for the included specialities. The NASSS framework provides a useful means of identifying the changes to enable teleconsultation continuity for specialised care in SUS.

Same goals, different challenges: A systematic review of perspectives of people with diabetes and healthcare professionals on Type 2 diabetes care.

AIMS: To identify the views of people with Type 2 diabetes (PWD) and healthcare professionals (HCP) about diabetes care. METHODS: A systematic review of qualitative studies reporting both groups' views using thematic synthesis frameworked by the eHealth Enhanced Chronic Care Model was conducted. RESULTS: We searched six electronic databases between 2010 and 2020, identified 6999 studies and included 21. Thirty themes were identified with in general complementary views between PWD and HCP. PWD and HCP find lifestyle changes challenging and get frustrated when PWD struggle to achieve it. Good self-management requires a trustful PWD-HCP relationship. Diabetes causes distress and often HCP focus on clinical aspects. They value diabetes education. PWD require broader, tailored, consistent and ongoing information, but HCPs do not have enough time for providing it. There is need for diabetes training for primary HCP. Shared decision making can mitigate PWD's fears. Different sources of social support can influence PWD's ability to self-manage and PWD/HCP suggest online peer groups. PWD/HCP indicate lack of communication and collaboration between HCP. PWD's and HCP's views about quality in diabetes care differ. They believe that comprehensive, multidisciplinary and locally provided care can help to achieve better outcomes. They recognise digital health benefits, with room for personal interaction (PWD) and eHealth literacy improvements (HCP). Evidence-based guidelines are important but can detract from personalised care. CONCLUSION: We hypothesise that including PWD's and HCP's complementary views, multidisciplinary teams and digital tools in the redesign of Type 2 diabetes care can help with overcoming some of the challenges and achieving common goals.

Structure and work process for implementing medical teleconsultation in the Brazilian National Health System, a cross-sectional study using 2017-2018 data. / Estrutura e processo de trabalho para implantação da teleconsulta médica no Sistema Único de Saúde do Brasil, um estudo transversal com dados de 2017-2018.

OBJECTIVE: To compare the structure and the work process in Primary Care for implementing medical teleconsultation in municipalities in different regions and with different population sizes (<25,000; 25,000-100,000; >100,000 inhabitants). METHODS: Cross-sectional study, with descriptive and bivariate analysis, using data from 2017-2018 to assess the availability of computers with internet access, webcam, microphone, speaker, as well as to assess the work processes (use of Telehealth, service supply and demand control center, and communication flow). RESULTS: 30,346 primary health centers and 38,865 teams were evaluated. Presence of teleconsultation equipment in the health centers ranged from 1.2% in large northern municipalities to 26.7% in small southern municipalities. Established work process ranged from 10.7% in small northern municipalities to 39.5% in large southern municipalities. Compared to the South, medium-sized municipalities in the North (OR=0.14 - 95%CI 0.11;0.17) and Northeast (OR=0.21 - 95%CI 0.18;0.25) regions were less likely to have the necessary equipment. CONCLUSION: Significant regional inequalities call for investments in Digital Health.

Estrutura e processo de trabalho para implantação da teleconsulta médica no Sistema Único de Saúde do Brasil, um estudo transversal com dados de 2017-2018 / Estructura y proceso de trabajo para implantar la teleconsulta médica en el Sistema de Salud Único en Brasil, un estudio transversal con datos de 2017-2018 / Structure and work process for implementing medical teleconsultation in the Brazilian National Health System, a cross-sectional study using 2017-2018 data

Objetivo: Comparar estrutura e processo de trabalho na Atenção Básica para implantação da teleconsulta médica em municípios de diferentes regiões e portes populacionais (mil habitantes: <25; 25-100; >100). Métodos: Estudo transversal, com análise descritiva e bivariada, sobre dados de 2017-2018, para avaliar disponibilidade de computador com internet, câmera, microfone e caixa de som, e processo de trabalho das equipes (utilizar Telessaúde, central de regulação e fluxo de comunicação). Resultados: Analisadas 30.346 UBS e 38.865 equipes, a presença de equipamentos para teleconsulta entre UBS variou de 1,2% em municípios grandes do Norte a 26,7% em municípios pequenos do Sul. O processo de trabalho variou de 10,7% em municípios pequenos do Norte a 39,5% em municípios grandes do Sul. Comparados ao Sul, municípios médios do Norte (OR=0,14 - IC95% 0,11;0,17) e do Nordeste (OR=0,21 - IC95% 0,18;0,25) tiveram menores chances de dispor dos equipamentos necessários. Conclusão: Significativas desigualdades regionais recomendam investimentos em Saúde Digital.

Objetivo: Comparar estructura y proceso de trabajo en atención primaria para implementar la teleconsulta médica en municipios de diferentes regiones y tamaños (mil habitantes: <25; 25-100; >100). Métodos: Estudio transversal, con análisis descriptivo y bivariado, datos de 2017-2018 para evaluar la disponibilidad de computadora con internet, cámara, micrófono, altavoz y proceso de trabajo (uso de Telesalud, centro de regulación central y flujo de comunicación). Resultados: Se analizaron 30.346 unidades y 38.865 grupos. La presencia de equipos de teleconsulta osciló entre 1,2% en los grandes municipios del Norte y 26,7% en pequeños municipios del Sur. El proceso de trabajo osciló entre 10,7% en pequeños municipios del Norte y 39,5% en grandes municipios del Sur. En comparación con el Sur, municipios medianos del Norte (OR=0,14 - IC95% 0,11;0,17) y Nordeste (OR=0,21 - IC95% 0,18;0,25) tenían menos probabilidades de contar con los equipos necesarios. Conclusión: Existe la necesidad de inversiones en Salud Digital, con desigualdades regionales relevantes.

Objective: To compare the structure and the work process in Primary Care for implementing medical teleconsultation in municipalities in different regions and with different population sizes (<25,000; 25,000-100,000; >100,000 inhabitants). Methods: Cross-sectional study, with descriptive and bivariate analysis, using data from 2017-2018 to assess the availability of computers with internet access, webcam, microphone, speaker, as well as to assess the work processes (use of Telehealth, service supply and demand control center, and communication flow). Results: 30,346 primary health centers and 38,865 teams were evaluated. Presence of teleconsultation equipment in the health centers ranged from 1.2% in large northern municipalities to 26.7% in small southern municipalities. Established work process ranged from 10.7% in small northern municipalities to 39.5% in large southern municipalities. Compared to the South, medium-sized municipalities in the North (OR=0.14 - 95%CI 0.11;0.17) and Northeast (OR=0.21 - 95%CI 0.18;0.25) regions were less likely to have the necessary equipment. Conclusion: Significant regional inequalities call for investments in Digital Health.

Structure and working process to implement medical teleconsultation in the Unified Health System in Brazil, a cross sectional study using data from 2017-2018 / Estructura y proceso de trabajo para la aplicación de la teleconsulta médica en el Sistema de Salud Único en Brasil, un estudio transversal con datos de 2017-2018 / Estrutura e processo de trabalho para implantação da teleconsulta médica no Sistema Único de Saúde do Brasil, um estudo transversal com dados de 2017-2018

Objective: To compare structure and working process at primary care to implement medical teleconsultation in municipalities of different regions and population sizes (thousand inhabitants: <25; 25-100; >100). Methods: Cross-sectional study, with descriptive and bivariate analysis, using data from 2017-2018 to assess the availability of a computer with internet access, webcam, microphone, speaker and teams working processes (telehealth use, and existence of central regulation and communication between the teams). Results: 30,346 health units and 38,865 teams were evaluated. The presence of teleconsultation equipment in the units ranged from 1.2% in large northern municipalities to 26.7% in small southern municipalities. The working process to implement teleconsultation ranged from 10.7% in small northern municipalities to 39.5% in large southern municipalities. Compared to the South, medium municipalities in the North (OR=0.14 ­ CI95% 0.11;0.17) and Northeast (OR=0.21 ­ CI95% 0.18;0.25) regions were less likely to have necessary equipment. Conclusion: Investments in Digital Health are needed, with significant regional inequalities.

Objetivo: Comparar estrutura e processo de trabalho na Atenção Básica para implantação da teleconsulta médica em municípios de diferentes regiões e portes populacionais (mil habitantes: <25; 25-100; >100). Métodos: Estudo transversal, com análise descritiva e bivariada, sobre dados de 2017-2018, para avaliar disponibilidade de computador com internet, câmera, microfone e caixa de som, e processo de trabalho das equipes (utilizar Telessaúde, central de regulação e fluxo de comunicação). Resultados: Analisadas 30.346 UBS e 38.865 equipes, a presença de equipamentos para teleconsulta entre UBS variou de 1,2% em municípios grandes do Norte a 26,7% em municípios pequenos do Sul. O processo de trabalho variou de 10,7% em municípios pequenos do Norte a 39,5% em municípios grandes do Sul. Comparados ao Sul, municípios médios do Norte (OR=0,14 ­ IC95% 0,11;0,17) e do Nordeste (OR=0,21 ­ IC95% 0,18;0,25) tiveram menores chances de dispor dos equipamentos necessários. Conclusão: Significativas desigualdades regionais recomendam investimentos em Saúde Digital.

Teleconsultation: an Integrative Review of the Doctor-Patient Interaction Mediated by Technology / Teleconsulta: uma Revisão Integrativa da Interação Médico-Paciente Mediada pela Tecnologia

Abstract: Medical teleconsultation can apply different technologies to mediate the communication between doctors and patients located in different geographic spaces. Its implementation has been encouraged in several countries, under the assumption of its potential to overcome distances, offering health care in a shorter time, reducing costs and workload. The scarcity of evidence about these allegations, in addition to the need of clarifying the situations in which teleconsultation can be adequate, safe and effective, have generated debates, intensified after the publication of Resolution N. 2.227/2018 by the Federal Council of Medicine, which allowed medical teleconsultation, containing principles and recommendations. This article aims to analyze the international experience of medical teleconsultation, including the media and technologies employed, their use, benefits and limitations, highlighting and associating the controversial points of the resolution recently published by the Federal Council of Medicine. An integrative review of the literature was carried out to identify these experiences from January 2013 to February 2019. Of the 1912 identified references, 42 were analyzed after applying the exclusion and inclusion criteria. Data collection and analysis indicated that telephone, e-mail, e-consulting systems, video or a combination of those have been used in several countries to mediate the doctor-patient relationship. Its use goes ranges from diagnosis to treatment, monitoring, management and prescription, both in acute and chronic conditions. The main benefits include less demand for face-to-face consultations, with the possibility of doctors' workload management, allowing systems' reorganization. Moreover, the teleconsultation allows overcoming distance barriers, in a flexible and convenient way for patients, possibly contributing to continuity of care, patient autonomy and resource savings, in the latter case, when it avoids work absenteeism due to face-to-face consultation. Some limitations of the teleconsultation include the inability to perform the physical examination, so it is not recommended for the first consultation. Technical and communication difficulties for each media, as well as its inadequacy for some groups of patients, are other important barriers. Data security regarding diagnosis and clinical precision, patients' and professionals' acceptance and the need for organizational adjustments are also considered limitations of the teleconsultation. The success of the teleconsultation depends on the integration of different organizations and professionals, aiming to maximize its potential and improve service design, encompassing clinical, technical, organizational and context issues. Therefore, it is important to investigate in which contexts, situations and conditions the teleconsultation can be beneficial, safe and effective for patient care, as well as the most appropriate means of communication.

Resumo: A teleconsulta médica pode utilizar diferentes tecnologias para mediar a comunicação entre médico e paciente localizados em espaços geográficos diferentes. A implementação dessa ferramenta tem sido incentivada em diversos países, sob a alegação de seu potencial em superar distâncias, oferecendo cuidados em saúde em menor tempo, com redução de custos e da carga de trabalho. A escassez de evidências sobre essas alegações, além do esclarecimento sobre as situações nas quais a teleconsulta pode ser adequada, segura e eficaz, tem gerado debates, intensificados após a publicação da Resolução nº 2.227/2018 pelo Conselho Federal de Medicina (CFM), que permitiu a teleconsulta médica, com premissas e recomendações. Este artigo visa analisar as experiências internacionais da teleconsulta médica, incluindo os meios de comunicação e tecnologias empregados, sua utilização, benefícios e limitações, evidenciando e relacionando os pontos polêmicos da resolução publicada pelo CFM. Foi realizada uma revisão integrativa da literatura para identificar essas experiências em quatro bases de dados, de janeiro de 2013 a fevereiro de 2019. Das 1.912 referências encontradas, foram analisadas 42, após a aplicação dos critérios de exclusão e inclusão. A coleta e a análise de dados indicaram que sistemas de telefonia, e-mail, consulta eletrônica, vídeo ou uma combinação deles têm sido utilizados em diversos países para mediar a relação médico-paciente. Sua aplicação vai do diagnóstico ao tratamento, ao monitoramento, ao manejo e à prescrição tanto de condições agudas quanto crônicas. Os principais benefícios incluem menor demanda por consultas presenciais, com possibilidade de gerenciamento da carga de trabalho dos médicos, permitindo uma reorganização dos sistemas. Além disso, a teleconsulta permite superar barreiras de distância, de maneira flexível e conveniente para os pacientes, com a possibilidade de contribuir para a continuidade do cuidado, autonomia do paciente e economia de recursos, nesse último caso, quando se evita o absenteísmo laboral para atendimento médico presencial. Algumas limitações da teleconsulta incluem a incapacidade de realizar o exame físico, e por essa razão ela não é recomendada para a primeira consulta. As dificuldades técnicas e de comunicação para cada meio de comunicação e sua inadequação para determinados grupos de pacientes são outras barreiras importantes. A segurança, tanto dos dados quando da acurácia do diagnóstico e da precisão clínica, a aceitação dos pacientes e profissionais e a necessidade de mudanças organizacionais também são consideradas limitações da teleconsulta. O sucesso da teleconsulta depende da integração de diferentes organizações e profissionais, que deverão, por meio de planejamento cuidadoso, maximizar seu potencial e melhorar o desenho do serviço, englobando questões clínicas, técnicas, organizacionais e do contexto. Portanto, é importante pesquisar em quais situações e agravos a teleconsulta pode ser benéfica, segura e eficaz para o cuidado ao paciente, assim como o meio de comunicação mais apropriado para cada uma delas.

Análise do Seguro Popular de Saúde mexicano: uma revisão integrativa da literatura / Analysis of Mexican Popular Health Insurance: an integrative review of literature

RESUMO Esse artigo objetiva analisar a reforma do sistema de saúde mexicano, a partir da implantação do Seguro Popular de Saúde, destacando seu funcionamento, aspectos positivos e negativos. Foi realizada uma revisão integrativa da literatura nas bases Lilacs e SciELO Regional no período de janeiro de 2011 a dezembro de 2018. Foram incluídas publicações que atendiam a três questionamentos: história do sistema de saúde mexicano, seu funcionamento e pontos positivos e negativos do Seguro Popular de Saúde. A literatura aponta que o Seguro Popular surgiu após um processo de reformas neoliberais no sistema de saúde mexicano, consonante com a proposta de Cobertura Universal de Saúde, que visa reduzir o empobrecimento por gastos em saúde na população sem seguridade social. O Seguro Popular oferece menor variedade de diagnósticos e tratamentos do que a seguridade social, menor número de consultas, atendimentos de urgência e medicamentos. Seu maior impacto foi nas populações indígena e rural, mas 20% da população continua descoberta e o atendimento permanece desigual. A análise do Seguro Popular permite inferir possíveis impactos que teriam os planos de saúde acessíveis no cenário brasileiro, acarretando acesso a um elenco menor de procedimentos para a população atualmente coberta pelo Sistema Único de Saúde.

ABSTRACT This article aims to analyze the reform of Mexican health system, from the implementation of Popular Health Insurance, highlighting its operation, positive and negative aspects. An integrative review of the literature was conducted using Lilacs and SciELO Regional databases from January 2011 to December 2018. Publications included addressed three main themes: history of Mexican health system, its functioning and positive and negative points of the Popular Health Insurance. The literature points out that Popular Health Insurance emerged after a process of neoliberal reforms in the Mexican health system, consonant with the Universal Health Coverage proposal, which aims to reduce impoverishment by health spending in the population without social security. Popular Health Insurance offers a smaller variety of diagnoses and treatments than social security, less number of consultations, urgent care and medications. Its greatest impact was on indigenous and rural populations, but 20% of the general population remains uncovered and care is unequal still. Popular Health Insurance analysis allows us to infer possible impacts that the affordable health plans would have on the Brazilian scenario, resulting in access to a smaller set of procedures for the population currently covered by the public health system in place (SUS).

[Clown therapy in the hospital setting: A review of the literature]. / Palhaçoterapia em ambiente hospitalar: uma revisão de literatura.

The presence of clowns in hospitals is relatively recent and more than 700 organizations now perform clown therapy in hospitals in Brazil and around the world. Considering the emphasis on comprehensive care and the humanization of health, it is timely to understand and analyze the national and international scientific literature on clown therapy. This practice challenges the hegemonic biomedical model and potentially helps in the recuperation of health. A review of the literature was conducted and 18 publications were analyzed using thematic content analysis. The following categories arose from the analysis: physiological, behavioral, and emotional responses; presurgical anxiety and attribution of new meanings to practices and the hospital environment. Results have shown that clown therapy leads to a significant decrease in preoperative anxiety in children, even compared with the results obtained with the use of anesthesia-inducing drugs. Most studies investigated the use of clown therapy during patients' adaptation to hospitalization, helping them to attribute new meanings to this situation. Despite its low representation in the scientific field and the fact that it has not been widely accepted as a health practice, several studies have shown the benefits of using clown therapy in the hospital setting.

A inserção do palhaço no hospital é relativamente recente e mais de 700 organizações realizam a palhaçoterapia nessas instituições no Brasil e em outras ao redor do mundo. Dada a ênfase na integralidade do cuidado e humanização da assistência à saúde, torna-se oportuno compreender e analisar a produção nacional e internacional do conhecimento científico sobre esta prática que desafia o modelo hegemônico de cuidado e potencialmente contribui na recuperação da saúde. Foi realizada uma revisão de literatura utilizando análise de conteúdo temática que analisou 18 publicações. As categorias que emergiram foram: respostas fisiológicas, comportamentais e emocionais; ansiedade pré-operatória; e ressignificação das práticas e do ambiente hospitalar. A literatura analisada aponta que a palhaçoterapia provoca diminuição significativa da ansiedade pré-operatória em crianças, comparativamente maior do que a obtida com o uso de um fármaco indutor de anestesia. A maior parte dos estudos investigou o uso da palhaçoterapia na adaptação à hospitalização, auxiliando na atribuição de novos significados. Apesar da baixa representatividade do tema no campo científico e mesmo não sendo amplamente aceita como prática de saúde, os resultados encontrados sugerem benefícios na utilização da palhaçoterapia em ambiente hospitalar.

Palhaçoterapia em ambiente hospitalar: uma revisão de literatura / Clown therapy in the hospital setting: A review of the literature

Resumo A inserção do palhaço no hospital é relativamente recente e mais de 700 organizações realizam a palhaçoterapia nessas instituições no Brasil e em outras ao redor do mundo. Dada a ênfase na integralidade do cuidado e humanização da assistência à saúde, torna-se oportuno compreender e analisar a produção nacional e internacional do conhecimento científico sobre esta prática que desafia o modelo hegemônico de cuidado e potencialmente contribui na recuperação da saúde. Foi realizada uma revisão de literatura utilizando análise de conteúdo temática que analisou 18 publicações. As categorias que emergiram foram: respostas fisiológicas, comportamentais e emocionais; ansiedade pré-operatória; e ressignificação das práticas e do ambiente hospitalar. A literatura analisada aponta que a palhaçoterapia provoca diminuição significativa da ansiedade pré-operatória em crianças, comparativamente maior do que a obtida com o uso de um fármaco indutor de anestesia. A maior parte dos estudos investigou o uso da palhaçoterapia na adaptação à hospitalização, auxiliando na atribuição de novos significados. Apesar da baixa representatividade do tema no campo científico e mesmo não sendo amplamente aceita como prática de saúde, os resultados encontrados sugerem benefícios na utilização da palhaçoterapia em ambiente hospitalar.

Abstract The presence of clowns in hospitals is relatively recent and more than 700 organizations now perform clown therapy in hospitals in Brazil and around the world. Considering the emphasis on comprehensive care and the humanization of health, it is timely to understand and analyze the national and international scientific literature on clown therapy. This practice challenges the hegemonic biomedical model and potentially helps in the recuperation of health. A review of the literature was conducted and 18 publications were analyzed using thematic content analysis. The following categories arose from the analysis: physiological, behavioral, and emotional responses; presurgical anxiety and attribution of new meanings to practices and the hospital environment. Results have shown that clown therapy leads to a significant decrease in preoperative anxiety in children, even compared with the results obtained with the use of anesthesia-inducing drugs. Most studies investigated the use of clown therapy during patients' adaptation to hospitalization, helping them to attribute new meanings to this situation. Despite its low representation in the scientific field and the fact that it has not been widely accepted as a health practice, several studies have shown the benefits of using clown therapy in the hospital setting.

Significados das práticas dos "Terapeutas da Alegria" sobre pacientes adultos internados em um hospital universitário / Meanings of the "Therapists of Joy" practices on adult patients admitted to a university hospital

Diversas ações de humanização da assistência hospitalar têm sido adotadas mundialmente no intuito de superar a técnica e a objetividade impostas pelo modelo biomédico hegemônico, que já não contempla as necessidades de saúde atuais. Exemplo disso, a palhaçoterapia representa um paradoxo que possibilita, dentre outros efeitos, a ressignificação do ambiente hospitalar a partir das vivências individuais proporcionadas pelas intervenções realizadas pelos palhaços nos hospitais. O projeto de extensão Terapeutas da Alegria (TA) é um exemplo dessa prática. Adotando uma abordagem qualitativa, a partir da interpretação dos textos obtidos nas entrevistas aos pacientes e observações, este estudo busca compreender os significados das intervenções dos TA realizadas durante visitas à pacientes adultos internados em um hospital universitário. As categorias que emergiram da codificação dos dados e sua análise apontaram que a palhaçoterapia provoca ressignificação do ambiente hospitalar e do próprio ser, agora no papel de paciente. Também apontaram reflexões sobre a relação com o desconhecido e particularidades e desafios da interação de palhaços de hospital com pacientes adultos, no intuito de gerar sentimentos favoráveis à recuperação da saúde. Esse estudo demonstra a complexidade do tema e a importância de pesquisas futuras de uma prática já tão difundida no contexto brasileiro e mundial.(AU)

Several humanization actions have been adopted in hospital care settings worldwide in order to overcome technique and objectivity imposed by hegemonic biomedical model, which no longer address current health needs. Example of this, clown therapy consist in a paradox that enables, among other effects, to reframe hospital setting from individual experiences provided by interventions with clowns. The extension project Therapists of Joy (TA) is an example of this practice. Adopting a qualitative approach, based on the interpretation of the texts obtained in interviews with patients and observations of visits, this study aims to understand the meanings of TA interventions made during visits to adult patients admitted to a university hospital. Categories emerged from data codification and their analysis pointed out that clown therapy causes re-signification of the hospital environment and of the being itself, now in a patient's role. It also pointed out reflections on the relationship with the unknown and particularities of adult patients' interaction with clowns, in order to generate favorable feelings for health recovery. This study demonstrates the complexity of the theme and the importance of future research of a practice already so widespread in Brazilian and around the world.(AU)