Methodological - Theoretical approach to phenomenological studies on the experience of medication use: A systematic review.

BACKGROUND: The study of medication use should include pharmacological, family, and social dimensions to explain how the lived experiences, beliefs, and perceptions of everyone, and their social and cultural environment affects consumption, using for this purpose the qualitative approach. OBJECTIVE: To conduct a systematic review of the theoretical-methodological approaches to phenomenology to identify studies that allow an understanding of patients' experiences with the use of medications.a. METHODS: A systematic literature search was conducted following the PRISMA guidelines to identify studies that address phenomenological research on patients' experiences of medications used and to apply them in subsequent studies. A thematic analysis was performed using ATLAS.ti software to facilitate data management. RESULTS: Twenty-six articles were identified, most of them including adult patients diagnosed with chronic degenerative diseases. The semantic network obtained places Phenomenology at the center as the interpretative referential framework, with three theoretical approaches: descriptive, interpretative, and perceptual under the philosophies of Husserl, Heidegger, and Merleau-Ponty respectively; two techniques to collect data which are in-depth interview and focus groups; and to explore the life experiences of patients and understand the meaning in the context of their lives, thematic analysis, content analysis, and interpretative phenomenological analysis were identified. CONCLUSIONS: It was evidenced that Qualitative Research approaches, methodologies, and techniques are applicable to describe people's experiences towards the use of medications. Phenomenology constitutes a useful referential framework in qualitative research to explain the experiences and perceptions about the disease and the use of medicines.

Design and validation of quality indicators for drug dispensing in a pediatric hospital.

OBJECTIVES: This article presents a methodological strategy to design and validate quality indicators for drug dispensing in a pediatric hospital. SETTING: The literature evaluation, design, and validation of indicators by experts were carried out from September 2017 to March 2018 in the pharmaceutical services of a pediatric hospital at the Autonomous University of the State of Hidalgo, Mexico. PRACTICE DESCRIPTION: The design and validation of quality indicators for dispensing allow the evaluation, planning, and follow-up of this activity. PRACTICE INNOVATION: The development of the indicators follows a holistic vision considering the relationship between the structure on which the pediatric dispensation is based, the involved processes, and the outcomes and provide a simple tool to improve the quality of the dispensing service. EVALUATION: A methodological investigation for the development of systems and health services in drug dispensing was performed. For the indicator's design, the Mexican standards for establishments dedicated to the sale and supply of drugs, the Good Dispensation Practices, and the Donabedian model were considered. The validation of such indicators was carried out using the Delphi method and the Torgerson mathematical model. RESULTS: Indicators of structure, process, and results were designed; of the 16 indicators designed, 15 reached the average score of greater than 3.5, and the percentage of experts who qualified each indicator in the highest categories was greater than 50%. CONCLUSION: The design of indicators guarantees the quality of the dispensing service and can be extrapolated to the pharmaceutical services of any pediatric hospital.

Vulnerabilidade e resposta social à pandemia de Covid-19 em territórios metropolitanos de São Paulo e da Baixada Santista, SP, Brasil / Vulnerabilidad y respuesta social a la pandemia de Covid-19 en territorios metropolitanos de São Paulo y de la Región de la Baixada Santista, Estado de São Paulo, Brasil / Vulnerability and social response to the Covid-19 pandemic in metropolitan territories of São Paulo and Baixada Santista, State of São Paulo, Brazil

Este artigo analisa a vulnerabilidade e o enfrentamento à pandemia de Covid-19 em 16 territórios metropolitanos de São Paulo e da Baixada Santista (São Paulo, Brasil), objetos de pesquisa participante desenvolvida por estudo de casos múltiplos, sob o referencial teórico da vulnerabilidade e dos direitos humanos, em 2020. As condições socioeconômicas são distintas entre os territórios. A vulnerabilidade à infecção e à doença pelo coronavírus é relacionada a fatores individuais, sociais e programáticos: informações, percepções e possibilidades de proteção; convivência familiar/interpessoal, moradia, trabalho e violência; e acesso a cuidados de saúde e programas sociais. As redes de solidariedade, formadas principalmente por associações comunitárias e movimentos sociais, enfocam superar a fome, gerar renda e acessar direitos. Para a resposta social, é fundamental reconhecer as necessidades específicas, as experiências potentes e a centralidade do caminhar conjunto de sujeitos e coletivos em cada território.(AU)

Este artículo analiza la vulnerabilidad y el enfrentamiento a la pandemia de Covid-19 en 16 territorios metropolitanos de São Paulo y de la Región de la Baixada Santista (São Paulo, Brasil), objetos de investigación participante, desarrollada por estudio de casos múltiples, bajo el referencial teórico de la vulnerabilidad y de los derechos humanos, en 2020. Las condiciones socioeconómicas son distintas entre los territorios. La vulnerabilidad a la infección y enfermedad por el coronavirus se relaciona a factores individuales, sociales y programáticos: informaciones, percepciones y posibilidades de protección; convivencia familiar/interpersonal, vivienda, trabajo y violencia; y acceso a cuidados de salud y programas sociales. Las redes de solidaridad, formadas principalmente por asociaciones comunitarias y movimientos sociales, se enfocan en superar el hambre, generar renta y tener acceso a derechos. Para la respuesta social, es fundamental reconocer las necesidades específicas, las experiencias potentes y la centralidad del caminar conjunto de sujetos y colectivos en cada territorio.(AU)

This paper analyzes vulnerability and the tackling of the Covid-19 pandemic in 16 metropolitan territories of São Paulo and Baixada Santista (State of São Paulo, Brazil), objects of a participatory research developed in 2020 through a multiple-case study, in light of the theoretical framework of vulnerability and human rights. Socioeconomic conditions are different between territories. Vulnerability to coronavirus infection and disease is related to individual, social and programmatic factors: information, perceptions and possibilities of protection; family/interpersonal coexistence, housing, work and violence; and access to healthcare and social programs. Solidarity networks, formed mainly by community associations and social movements, focus on overcoming hunger, generating income and accessing rights. For the social response, it is essential to recognize specific needs, powerful experiences and the centrality of the joint walk of individuals and collectives in each territory.(AU)

Participative research methodology: paths to analyse vulnerable populations experiences during the Covid-19 pandemic / Caminhos metodológicos de pesquisa participativa que analisa vivências na pandemia de Covid-19 em populações vulneráveis

This paper presents an ongoing investigation that analyzes life experiences, processes and systemic impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic and examines the measures and actions to prevent, contain and respond to it. The study is focusing the inequalities on life experiences of the pandemic in populations that live in fourteen vulnerable territories of the Metropolitan Area of São Paulo and the city of Santos (Brazil). The group of researchers is composed of people who live in those territories and students and professors of the São Paulo Federal University.The research design focuses on comprehending the experience of the pandemic in its complexity, through an interdisciplinary production of scientific knowledge that is socially referenced and committed to the participation of the populations studied. The field research in each territory, which counts with the participation of local organizations, is producing a critical reflection on the experience of the pandemic and giving visibility to the centrality of social networks weaved by local actors. This path is allowing us to understand the ways of producing life in territories stressed by inequality and to recognize their challenges. To go through this complex process transversed by the pandemic is the challenge and the richness of this study.

O objetivo geral do artigo é compartilhar a investigação em curso que se propõe a analisar as vivências, os processos e os impactos sistêmicos da pandemia de COVID-19 e das medidas e ações realizadas para a sua prevenção, contenção e enfrentamento. O estudo considera as desigualdades nas vivências da pandemia em populações de diferentes territórios vulneráveis. São 14 territórios da Região Metropolitana de São Paulo e da Baixada Santista. O delineamento da pesquisa busca qualificar o olhar para a vivência da pandemia em sua complexidade, via uma produção interdisciplinar do conhecimento, realizada junto com as populações estudadas.  O coletivo de pesquisadores é formado por moradores dos territórios, estudantes e pesquisadores ligados à universidade. Unifica este coletivo o compromisso de produzir conhecimentos científicos socialmente referenciados. O desenvolvimento da pesquisa, em cada território, produzida em conjunto com pesquisadores sociais e organizações coletivas, tem permitido uma reflexão crítica e visibilizado à centralidade das redes construídas pelos atores locais. Esse percurso permite considerar o modo de produzir vida em territórios marcados pela desigualdade e reconhecer seus desafios. Caminhar nesse complexo processo atravessado pela pandemia é o desafio e a riqueza desse estudo.

DISABKIDS® in Brazil: advances and future perspectives for the production of scientific knowledge.

OBJECTIVE: to map the Brazilian scientific production related to the stages of the methodological process for the use of DISABKIDS® instruments and/or forms adapted to Brazil. METHOD: scoping review, with searches conducted on10 electronic databases, plus Google Scholar and contacts with researchers, without restriction of period or language. RESULTS: the mapping identified 90 scientific studies involving 46 instruments. Of these, 11 (23.9%) included the elaboration and/or cultural adaptation of the DISABKIDS® instruments to measure the Quality of Life of children or adolescents with chronic conditions and 35 (76.1%) used the Generic Measures and/or Specific Modules for the semantic validation of other instruments. CONCLUSION: this scoping review allowed a comprehensive evaluation of the use of the DISABKIDS® instrument and forms, in relation to the validation of the instrument adapted to Brazil, presenting a positive advance in the scenario with the development of academic/scientific projects in the country, incorporating the method recommended by the literature for the elaboration, cultural adaptation and validation of instruments and for the systematized and standardized recording of the perception and understanding of the target population about the measure of interest, using DISABKIDS® forms adapted for this purpose.

The COPHELA (Cooperation in Quality Assurance for Pharmacy Education and Training between Europe and Latin America) Project.

COPHELA (Cooperation in Quality Assurance for Pharmacy Education and Training between Europe and Latin America), a collaborative project between the European Union (EU) and Latin America, will produce on-line courses for the master degree in pharmacy. The program runs from 2019 through 2021. It is funded by the Erasmus+ program of the Education, Audio-visual and Culture Executive Agency (EACEA) of the European Commission. The partners are EU and Latin American universities. These are accompanied by associated partners from EU and Latin American universities, as well as from governmental and non-governmental organizations, such as pharmacy chambers and educational associations. The project is coordinated by the University of Granada, Spain (first author of this paper). It will produce distance learning master degree courses in a dozen fields of specialized pharmaceutical science education and practice, ranging from patient care to industrial pharmacy. This paper describes the design of the project and is intended to evoke constructive comments. It also represents a call for the recruitment of additional associated partners.

Implementation of pharmaceutical care for older adults in the brazilian public health system: a case study and realistic evaluation.

BACKGROUND: Pharmaceutical care services have been recognized as the most highly regarded professional pharmacy practice model that allows the identification, intervention, and resolution of drug related problems. This practice provides significant clinical outcomes and can reduce direct and indirect costs for health systems. However, its implementation can be complex and challenging, needing study experiences that aims at overcoming obstacles, especially in free and universal healthcare systems. The objective of this study is to evaluate the implementation of Ambulatory Care Pharmacy services for older adults at Paulista Institute of Geriatrics and Gerontology (IPGG), which is recognized in the city of São Paulo for offering pharmaceutical care services for over 10 years continuously. This initiative and process is independent of external academic interventions or educational institutions. It is hoped that the results may also contribute to advancing the implementation of pharmaceutical care service in similar health systems. DESIGN: This is a case study using multiple sources of data. Qualitative and quantitative data were collected from institutional documents, by participant observation and interviews. Initial themes were identified by content analysis and analyzed under the context-mechanism-outcome configurations (CMO Configurations) in realistic evaluation. SETTING: Geriatrics and Gerontology Institute of São Paulo (known as IPGG). PARTICIPANTS: Eleven health professionals and three pharmaceutical care service users. RESULTS: Three CMO configurations were identified and accepted: "Scenario Construction mediated by educational processes", "Contribution to complex needs resolution", and "Organizational Visibility". The CMO (Context-Mechanism-Outcomes) configuration "Logistic activities discourage clinical pharmaceutical services implantation" was denied due to the influence of accepted CMOs. CONCLUSIONS: Educational processes which value transdisciplinary knowledge exchanges provide resources required to overcome important obstacles present during pharmaceutical care implementation. Thus, providing and seeking knowledge to build and offer context-consistent clinical health services as well as fulfilling organizational environment requirements can be the key to implement pharmaceutical care service.

Caminhos metodológicos de pesquisa participativa que analisa vivências na pandemia de Covid-19 em populações vulneráveis / Participative research methodology: paths to analyse the experiences of vulnerable populations during the Covid-19 pandemic

RESUMO O objetivo geral do artigo foi compartilhar a investigação em curso que se propõe a analisar as vivências, os processos e os impactos sistêmicos da pandemia de Covid-19 e das medidas e ações realizadas para a sua prevenção, contenção e enfrentamento. O estudo considera as desigualdades nas vivências da pandemia em populações de diferentes territórios vulneráveis. São 14 territórios da Região Metropolitana de São Paulo e da Baixada Santista. O delineamento da pesquisa busca qualificar o olhar para a vivência da pandemia em sua complexidade, via produção interdisciplinar do conhecimento, realizada com as populações estudadas. O coletivo de pesquisadores é formado por moradores dos territórios, estudantes e pesquisadores ligados à universidade. Unifica este coletivo o compromisso de produzir conhecimentos científicos socialmente referenciados. O desenvolvimento da pesquisa, em cada território, produzida em conjunto com pesquisadores sociais e organizações coletivas, tem permitido uma reflexão crítica e visibilizado a centralidade das redes construídas pelos atores locais. Esse percurso permite considerar o modo de produzir vida em territórios marcados pela desigualdade e reconhecer seus desafios. Caminhar nesse complexo processo atravessado pela pandemia é o desafio e a riqueza desse estudo.

ABSTRACT This paper presents an ongoing investigation that analyzes life experiences, processes and systemic impacts of the Covid-19 pandemic and examines the measures and actions to prevent, contain and respond to it. The study focuses on the inequalities of life experiences of the pandemic in populations that live in fourteen vulnerable territories of the Metropolitan Area of São Paulo and the city of Santos (Brazil). The group of researchers is composed of people who live in those territories and students and professors of the Federal University of São Paulo. The research design focuses on comprehending the experience of the pandemic in its complexity, through an interdisciplinary production of scientific knowledge that is socially referenced and committed to the participation of the populations studied. The field research in each territory, which counts with the participation of local organizations, is producing a critical reflection on the experience of the pandemic and giving visibility to the centrality of social networks weaved by local actors. This path allows us to understand the ways of producing life in territories stressed by inequality and to recognize their challenges. To go through this complex process crossed by the pandemic is the challenge and the richness of this study.

DISABKIDS® in Brazil: advances and future perspectives for the production of scientific knowledge / DISABKIDS® no Brasil: avanços e perspectivas futuras na produção do conhecimento científico / DISABKIDS® en Brasil: avances y perspectivas futuras en la producción del conocimiento científico

Objective: to map the Brazilian scientific production related to the stages of the methodological process for the use of DISABKIDS® instruments and/or forms adapted to Brazil. Method: scoping review, with searches conducted on10 electronic databases, plus Google Scholar and contacts with researchers, without restriction of period or language. Results: the mapping identified 90 scientific studies involving 46 instruments. Of these, 11 (23.9%) included the elaboration and/or cultural adaptation of the DISABKIDS® instruments to measure the Quality of Life of children or adolescents with chronic conditions and 35 (76.1%) used the Generic Measures and/or Specific Modules for the semantic validation of other instruments. Conclusion: this scoping review allowed a comprehensive evaluation of the use of the DISABKIDS® instrument and forms, in relation to the validation of the instrument adapted to Brazil, presenting a positive advance in the scenario with the development of academic/scientific projects in the country, incorporating the method recommended by the literature for the elaboration, cultural adaptation and validation of instruments and for the systematized and standardized recording of the perception and understanding of the target population about the measure of interest, using DISABKIDS® forms adapted for this purpose.

Objetivo: mapear a produção científica brasileira que versa sobre as fases do processo metodológico para a utilização dos instrumentos e/ou formulários DISABKIDS® adaptados para o Brasil. Método: scoping review realizada através da busca em 10 bases de dados eletrônicas, no Google Scholar e por meio de consulta à pesquisadores, sem restrição de período ou idioma. Resultados: o mapeamento identificou 90 estudos científicos que envolveram 46 instrumentos, dos quais 11 (23,9%) foram realizados os processos de elaboração e/ou adaptação cultural dos instrumentos DISABKIDS® para mensuração da Qualidade de Vida de crianças ou adolescentes com condições crônicas e em 35 (76,1%) foram utilizados o Formulários de Impressões Gerais e/ou Folhas Específicas para realizar a validação semântica de outros instrumentos. Conclusão: constatou-se que essa scoping review permitiu avaliação abrangente do uso do instrumento e dos documentos DISABKIDS®. Em relação à validação do instrumento adaptado ao Brasil apresenta avanço positivo do cenário junto ao desenvolvimento de projetos acadêmicos/científicos no país, a partir da incorporação ao método preconizado pela literatura para elaboração, adaptação cultural e validação de instrumentos, do registro sistematizado e padronizado da percepção, bem como do entendimento da população alvo sobre a medida de interesse, ao lançar mão de formulários DISABKIDS® adaptados para esse fim.

Objetivo: mapear la producción científica que se ocupa de las etapas del proceso metodológico para el uso de los instrumentos y/o formularios adaptados DISABKIDS® a Brasil. Método: scoping review, búsqueda realizada en 10 bases de datos electrónicas, en el Google Scholar y por intermedio de consulta a investigadores, sin restricción de período o idioma. Resultados: el mapeo identificó 90 estudios científicos que involucraron 46 instrumentos, de los cuales 11 (23,9%) la elaboración y/o adaptación cultural de los instrumentos DISABKIDS® se realizaron para medir la Calidad de Vida de niños o adolescentes con afecciones crónicas y en 35 (76,1%) utilizaron los Formularios de Impresiones Generales y/o Hojas Específicas para realizar la validación semántica de otros instrumentos. Conclusión: se encontró que esta revisión de alcance permitió una evaluación exhaustiva del uso del instrumento y los documentos DISABKIDS®. En cuanto a la validación del instrumento adaptado a Brasil presenta un avance positivo del escenario en conjunto al desarrollo de proyectos académicos/científicos en el país, desde la incorporación al método recomendado por la literatura para la elaboración, adaptación cultural y validación de instrumentos, desde el registro sistematizado y estandarizado de la percepción, así como la comprensión de la población objetivo sobre la medida de interés mediante el uso de formularios DISABKIDS® adaptados con esta finalidad.

Percepciones y experiencias de usuarios de benzodiazepinas en la atención primaria de salud en Cuba / Perceptions and experiences of benzodiazepine users in primary health care in Cuba

Resumen A pesar de que son ampliamente conocidos los perfiles de utilización de las benzodiazepinas (BZD) y los riesgos asociados, este conocimiento no ha conducido a visibles transformaciones que mejoren la seguridad de los tratamientos y la salud de los pacientes. Por tanto, es necesaria una mejor compresión del contexto de su utilización, con el fin de implementar acciones educativas eficaces, tomar decisiones clínicas pertinentes y perfeccionar su regulación en los servicios de salud. Este artículo se propone caracterizar el perfil de utilización de benzodiazepinas en un área de salud de Santiago de Cuba y analizar el contexto de consumo a partir de los sentidos construidos por usuarios crónicos. Se realiza un estudio de caso, que describe el perfil de consumo a partir de las recetas dispensadas en la Farmacia Principal Municipal, y se realizan entrevistas a profundidad a los usuarios crónicos. El contenido de las entrevistas fue realizado temáticamente. Los resultados revelan los siguientes temas: poca concientización sobre el beneficio-riesgo del tratamiento, sufrimiento con la dependencia y tolerancia, autonomía en el tratamiento y limitada credibilidad en las terapias alternativas. La proporción de adultos mayores que reciben las BZD es mayor que la identificada en otros estudios. Se concluye que los usuarios perciben aspectos negativos del uso, pero están presos en la dependencia. Se evidencia la importancia de estudiar estrategias para el tratamiento del insomnio y la ansiedad en la atención primaria de salud, así como valorizar las políticas de implementación de terapias naturales y otros abordajes para contribuir al uso racional de las BZD.

Abstract The profiles for the use of benzodiazepines and associated risks are well known. However, this knowledge has not led to visible transformations that improve the safety of treatments and the health of patients. It is therefore necessary to better understand the context of use of these medications in order to implement effective educational actions, make relevant clinical decisions and improve their regulation in health services, especially in primary care. To characterize the profile of use of benzodiazepines in a health area of Santiago de Cuba and to analyze the context of consumption from the senses built by chronic users. Methods: A case study was carried out on the consumption patterns and interviews with chronic users was performed. The content of the interviews was thematically analyzed. The themes revealed were: little awareness of the benefit-risk of treatment; suffering with dependence and tolerance; autonomy in treatment; and limited credibility in alternative therapies. The proportion of older adults receiving benzodiazepines is greater than that identified in other studies. The users perceive negative aspects of use, but they are tied to the dependence. It is evident the importance of studying strategies for the treatment of insomnia and anxiety in primary health care, as well as valuing the policies of implementation of natural therapies and other approaches to contribute to the rational use of benzodiazepines.

[Use and abuse of benzodiazepines in primary healthcare: professional practices in Brazil and Cuba]. / Uso e abuso de benzodiazepínicos na atenção primária à saúde: práticas profissionais no Brasil e em Cuba.

The current study aimed to grasp the healthcare aspects present at the basis of the indiscriminate use of benzodiazepines. Based on a partnership between a Brazilian university and a Cuban university, the study aimed to understand the practices related to the use of these drugs in primary care and the meanings healthcare workers assign to them. The research was part of a multiple case study in the cities of São Paulo and Diadema (Brasil), and Santiago de Cuba (Cuba). The fieldwork data collection strategy was based on individual interviews and focus groups. Data were analyzed thematically and yielded five themes: (i) no man's land: lack of management of benzodiazepine use by primary care workers; (ii) inadequate indications: the benzodiazepine prescribed for unjustifiable situations; (iii) salvation and perdition: the medicine as attenuating the difficulty of acting in mental health by primary care professionals; (iv) limited empowerment to work in mental health; and (v) fragmented care: dissociation of the psychosocial care network. Limited grasp of mental health issues by primary care workers, fragmented care, work overload with what are considered other priorities, deficiencies in the availability of therapeutic resources, and limited investment in specific training contribute to the inadequate use of benzodiazepines. Independently of the health contexts, the challenges are similar for the health systems and can only be confronted if they become a priority for the organizations' management and the health workers as a whole.

O presente estudo buscou compreender aspectos assistenciais presentes na base da utilização indiscriminada de benzodiazepínicos. Com base numa parceria entre uma universidade brasileira e uma cubana, buscou-se o entendimento das práticas relacionadas ao uso desses medicamentos na atenção primária e dos sentidos que profissionais de saúde atribuem a elas. A investigação integrou um estudo de casos múltiplos realizado nos municípios de São Paulo e Diadema (Brasil) e Santiago de Cuba (Cuba). O trabalho de campo adotou como estratégias de coleta de dados entrevistas individuais e grupos focais. Os dados, analisados tematicamente, revelaram cinco temas: (i) terra de ninguém: a ausência de gestão sobre o uso dos benzodiazepínicos pelos profissionais da atenção básica; (ii) indicação inadequada: o benzodiazepínico prescrito psra situações injustificáveis; (iii) salvação e perdição: o medicamento como atenuante da dificuldade de atuação na saúde mental pelos profissionais da atenção primária; (iv) pouco empoderamento dos profissionais da atenção primária para atuação na saúde mental; e (v) cuidado fragmentado: a desarticulação da rede de atenção psicossocial. A pouca apropriação das questões da saúde mental pelos profissionais da atenção primária, a fragmentação do cuidado, a sobrecarga de trabalho com temas considerados prioritários, as deficiências na disponibilidade de recursos terapêuticos e o pouco investimento em formação específica contribuem para o uso não adequado de benzodiazepínicos. Independentemente dos contextos sanitários estudados, os desafios são semelhantes para os sistemas de saúde e só podem ser enfrentados se convertidos em prioridade para a gestão das organizações e para o conjunto dos profissionais.

El presente estudio tuvo como meta comprender aspectos asistenciales existentes en relación con la utilización indiscriminada de benzodiacepinas. A partir de la colaboración entre una universidad brasileña y una cubana, se procuró el entendimiento mutuo de las prácticas relacionadas con el uso de esos medicamentos en la atención primaria, así como el sentido que los profesionales de la salud les atribuyen. La investigación integró un estudio de casos múltiples, realizado en los municipios de Sao Paulo y Diadema (Brasil) y Santiago de Cuba (Cuba). El trabajo de campo adoptó como estrategias de recogida de datos entrevistas individuales y grupos focales. Los datos, analizados temáticamente, revelaron cinco temas que detallamos a continuación. (i) tierra de nadie: la ausencia de gestión sobre el uso de las benzodiacepinas por parte de los profesionales de la atención básica; (ii) indicación inadecuada: las benzodiacepinas para situaciones injustificables; (iii) salvación y perdición: la medicación como atenuación de la dificultad de actuar en la salud mental por los profesionales de la atención primaria; (iv) poco empoderamiento para trabajar en el ámbito de la salud mental y (v) cuidado fragmentado: la desarticulación de la red de atención psicosocial. La escasa asunción de las cuestiones de salud mental por parte de los profesionales de atención primaria, la fragmentación del cuidado, la sobrecarga de trabajo con temas considerados prioritarios, las deficiencias en la disponibilidad de recursos terapéuticos y la poca inversión en formación específica contribuyen al uso no adecuado de benzodiacepinas. Independientemente de los contextos sanitarios estudiados, los desafíos son semejantes en todos los sistemas de salud y sólo pueden enfrentarse si se convierten en prioridad para quienes gestionan instituciones, así como para el conjunto de profesionales.

Uso e abuso de benzodiazepínicos na atenção primária à saúde: práticas profissionais no Brasil e em Cuba / Use and abuse of benzodiazepines in primary healthcare: professional practices in Brazil and Cuba / Uso y abuso de benzodiacepinas en la atención primaria de salud: prácticas profesionales en Brasil y Cuba

O presente estudo buscou compreender aspectos assistenciais presentes na base da utilização indiscriminada de benzodiazepínicos. Com base numa parceria entre uma universidade brasileira e uma cubana, buscou-se o entendimento das práticas relacionadas ao uso desses medicamentos na atenção primária e dos sentidos que profissionais de saúde atribuem a elas. A investigação integrou um estudo de casos múltiplos realizado nos municípios de São Paulo e Diadema (Brasil) e Santiago de Cuba (Cuba). O trabalho de campo adotou como estratégias de coleta de dados entrevistas individuais e grupos focais. Os dados, analisados tematicamente, revelaram cinco temas: (i) terra de ninguém: a ausência de gestão sobre o uso dos benzodiazepínicos pelos profissionais da atenção básica; (ii) indicação inadequada: o benzodiazepínico prescrito psra situações injustificáveis; (iii) salvação e perdição: o medicamento como atenuante da dificuldade de atuação na saúde mental pelos profissionais da atenção primária; (iv) pouco empoderamento dos profissionais da atenção primária para atuação na saúde mental; e (v) cuidado fragmentado: a desarticulação da rede de atenção psicossocial. A pouca apropriação das questões da saúde mental pelos profissionais da atenção primária, a fragmentação do cuidado, a sobrecarga de trabalho com temas considerados prioritários, as deficiências na disponibilidade de recursos terapêuticos e o pouco investimento em formação específica contribuem para o uso não adequado de benzodiazepínicos. Independentemente dos contextos sanitários estudados, os desafios são semelhantes para os sistemas de saúde e só podem ser enfrentados se convertidos em prioridade para a gestão das organizações e para o conjunto dos profissionais.

The current study aimed to grasp the healthcare aspects present at the basis of the indiscriminate use of benzodiazepines. Based on a partnership between a Brazilian university and a Cuban university, the study aimed to understand the practices related to the use of these drugs in primary care and the meanings healthcare workers assign to them. The research was part of a multiple case study in the cities of São Paulo and Diadema (Brasil), and Santiago de Cuba (Cuba). The fieldwork data collection strategy was based on individual interviews and focus groups. Data were analyzed thematically and yielded five themes: (i) no man's land: lack of management of benzodiazepine use by primary care workers; (ii) inadequate indications: the benzodiazepine prescribed for unjustifiable situations; (iii) salvation and perdition: the medicine as attenuating the difficulty of acting in mental health by primary care professionals; (iv) limited empowerment to work in mental health; and (v) fragmented care: dissociation of the psychosocial care network. Limited grasp of mental health issues by primary care workers, fragmented care, work overload with what are considered other priorities, deficiencies in the availability of therapeutic resources, and limited investment in specific training contribute to the inadequate use of benzodiazepines. Independently of the health contexts, the challenges are similar for the health systems and can only be confronted if they become a priority for the organizations' management and the health workers as a whole.

El presente estudio tuvo como meta comprender aspectos asistenciales existentes en relación con la utilización indiscriminada de benzodiacepinas. A partir de la colaboración entre una universidad brasileña y una cubana, se procuró el entendimiento mutuo de las prácticas relacionadas con el uso de esos medicamentos en la atención primaria, así como el sentido que los profesionales de la salud les atribuyen. La investigación integró un estudio de casos múltiples, realizado en los municipios de Sao Paulo y Diadema (Brasil) y Santiago de Cuba (Cuba). El trabajo de campo adoptó como estrategias de recogida de datos entrevistas individuales y grupos focales. Los datos, analizados temáticamente, revelaron cinco temas que detallamos a continuación. (i) tierra de nadie: la ausencia de gestión sobre el uso de las benzodiacepinas por parte de los profesionales de la atención básica; (ii) indicación inadecuada: las benzodiacepinas para situaciones injustificables; (iii) salvación y perdición: la medicación como atenuación de la dificultad de actuar en la salud mental por los profesionales de la atención primaria; (iv) poco empoderamiento para trabajar en el ámbito de la salud mental y (v) cuidado fragmentado: la desarticulación de la red de atención psicosocial. La escasa asunción de las cuestiones de salud mental por parte de los profesionales de atención primaria, la fragmentación del cuidado, la sobrecarga de trabajo con temas considerados prioritarios, las deficiencias en la disponibilidad de recursos terapéuticos y la poca inversión en formación específica contribuyen al uso no adecuado de benzodiacepinas. Independientemente de los contextos sanitarios estudiados, los desafíos son semejantes en todos los sistemas de salud y sólo pueden enfrentarse si se convierten en prioridad para quienes gestionan instituciones, así como para el conjunto de profesionales.

Validity and reliability of the quality of masticatory function questionnaire applied in Brazilian adolescents.

Purpose proper chewing and swallowing functions have great importance in general health, since it potentially affects food's digestion and the subject's nutritional status. The aim was to assess the validity and reliability of the self-applied Quality of Masticatory Function Questionnaire (QMFQ) in a convenience (non-referred) sample of Brazilian adolescents divided into three groups: control (n=57), dental caries (n=51) and malocclusion (n=54). Methods caries and malocclusion were evaluated using DMF-S index (number of decayed, missing and filled primary and permanent surfaces) and Index of Orthodontic Treatment Need, respectively. The QMFQ comprises 26 items regarding frequency and intensity of chewing problems with five domains: Food-Mastication, Habits, Meat, Fruits and Vegetables. Data were submitted to descriptive statistics, Kolmogorov-Smirnov and Chi-square tests. Psychometric evaluation included measures of reliability (internal consistency - Cronbach's alpha and matrix of correlation) and discriminant validity (Kruskal-Wallis/Dunn post-test). Results the instrument showed satisfactory internal consistency, with significant positive correlations between the domains scores except between Habits and Vegetables. Total scale Cronbach's alpha coefficient was 0.87 and the coefficient did not increase significantly with the removal of each domain. Significant differences were found between controls and caries group in Food-Mastication, Meat and Fruits scores. Caries group also showed higher median values in Food-Mastication and Fruits than the malocclusion group. Conclusion the Quality of Masticatory Function Questionnaire showed acceptable properties regarding internal consistency, reliability, and discriminant validity in evaluating the impact of caries on the perception of the masticatory function quality of Brazilian adolescents.

Validity and reliability of the quality of masticatory function questionnaire applied in Brazilian adolescents

ABSTRACT Purpose proper chewing and swallowing functions have great importance in general health, since it potentially affects food’s digestion and the subject’s nutritional status. The aim was to assess the validity and reliability of the self-applied Quality of Masticatory Function Questionnaire (QMFQ) in a convenience (non-referred) sample of Brazilian adolescents divided into three groups: control (n=57), dental caries (n=51) and malocclusion (n=54). Methods caries and malocclusion were evaluated using DMF-S index (number of decayed, missing and filled primary and permanent surfaces) and Index of Orthodontic Treatment Need, respectively. The QMFQ comprises 26 items regarding frequency and intensity of chewing problems with five domains: Food-Mastication, Habits, Meat, Fruits and Vegetables. Data were submitted to descriptive statistics, Kolmogorov-Smirnov and Chi-square tests. Psychometric evaluation included measures of reliability (internal consistency - Cronbach's alpha and matrix of correlation) and discriminant validity (Kruskal-Wallis/Dunn post-test). Results the instrument showed satisfactory internal consistency, with significant positive correlations between the domains scores except between Habits and Vegetables. Total scale Cronbach's alpha coefficient was 0.87 and the coefficient did not increase significantly with the removal of each domain. Significant differences were found between controls and caries group in Food-Mastication, Meat and Fruits scores. Caries group also showed higher median values in Food-Mastication and Fruits than the malocclusion group. Conclusion the Quality of Masticatory Function Questionnaire showed acceptable properties regarding internal consistency, reliability, and discriminant validity in evaluating the impact of caries on the perception of the masticatory function quality of Brazilian adolescents.

Avaliação psicológica no contexto do trânsito: estudo de caso de motorista com acidente vascular cerebral / Traffic psychological assessment of a driver with stroke: a case report

Este artigo tem por objetivo relatar um caso em que a avaliação psicológica no contexto do trânsito identificou a ocorrência de Acidente Vascular Cerebral (AVC) e consequente risco de direção insegura em candidato à renovação da CNH. A avaliação do motorista de carreta de 50 anos foi conduzida em dois momentos e foram aplicados testes para avaliar inteligência, atenção concentrada, atenção alternada, atenção dividida, personalidade e memória visual de curto prazo. O histórico e sintomas identificados por meio das entrevistas em conjunto com os resultados dos testes psicológicos levaram ao encaminhamento do paciente pela psicóloga de trânsito ao neurologista, que confirmou o diagnóstico presumido de AVC, resultando em inaptidão para dirigir. Concluiu-se que a avaliação psicológica foi fundamental para a identificação da ocorrência de AVC. O caso reforça a importância da avaliação psicológica do trânsito para todos os motoristas regularmente, ao contrário do que ocorre atualmente no Brasil.(AU)

This article aims to report a case in which psychological assessment in the context of traffic identified the occurrence of stroke and consequent risk of unsafe driving in a candidate applying for the renewal of his driver's license. The assessment of a 50-year-old truck driver was conducted in two phases and the following tests were applied: intelligence, concentrated attention, alternating attention, divided attention, personality and visual short-term memory. The case history and symptoms were determined by interviews and psychological tests. The results lead the psychologist to refer the patient to a neurologist, who confirmed the presumed diagnosis of stroke, resulting in inability to drive. It was concluded that the psychological assessment was essential to identify the occurrence of stroke. The case highlights the importance of regular traffic psychological assessment for all drivers, which is not currently done in Brazil.(AU)

Avaliação psicológica no contexto do trânsito: estudo de caso de motorista com acidente vascular / Traffic psychological assessment of a driver with stroke: a case report

Este artigo tem por objetivo relatar um caso em que a avaliação psicológica no contexto do trânsito identificou a ocorrência de Acidente Vascular Cerebral (AVC) e consequente risco de direção insegura em candidato à renovação da CNH. A avaliação do motorista de carreta de 50 anos foi conduzida em dois momentos e foram aplicados testes para avaliar inteligência, atenção concentrada, atenção alternada, atenção dividida, personalidade e memória visual de curto prazo. O histórico e sintomas identificados por meio das entrevistas em conjunto com os resultados dos testes psicológicos levaram ao encaminhamento do paciente pela psicóloga de trânsito ao neurologista, que confirmou o diagnóstico presumido de AVC, resultando em inaptidão para dirigir. Concluiu-se que a avaliação psicológica foi fundamental para a identificação da ocorrência de AVC. O caso reforça a importância da avaliação psicológica do trânsito para todos os motoristas regularmente, ao contrário do que ocorre atualmente no Brasil

This article aims to report a case in which psychological assessment in the context of traffic identified the occurrence of stroke and consequent risk of unsafe driving in a candidate applying for the renewal of his driver's license. The assessment of a 50-year-old truck driver was conducted in two phases and the following tests were applied: intelligence, concentrated attention, alternating attention, divided attention, personality and visual short-term memory. The case history and symptoms were determined by interviews and psychological tests. The results lead the psychologist to refer the patient to a neurologist, who confirmed the presumed diagnosis of stroke, resulting in inability to drive. It was concluded that the psychological assessment was essential to identify the occurrence of stroke. The case highlights the importance of regular traffic psychological assessment for all drivers, which is not currently done in Brazil

Adaptação cultural e propriedades psicométricas iniciais do instrumento DISABKIDS ® – Cystic Fibrosis Module – versão brasileira / Adaptación cultural y propiedades psicométricas iniciales del instrumento DISABKIDS ® – Cystic Fibrosis Module – versión brasileña / Cultural adaptation and initial psychometric properties of the DISABKIDS ® – Cystic Fibrosis Module – Brazilian version

Este estudo objetivou adaptar culturalmente e descrever as propriedades psicométricas iniciais do instrumento de mensuração de qualidade de vida relacionada à saúde DISABKIDS® − Cystic Fibrosis Module para crianças e adolescentes e seus pais/cuidadores. Estudo metodológico de desenvolvimento sequencial, incluindo 126 participantes em quatro estados brasileiros. Envolveu tradução e retrotradução dos itens, equivalência conceitual e semântica, validade de face e descrição das propriedades psicométricas iniciais relacionadas ao construto e fidedignidade . Para equivalência semântica da versão adaptada houve ajustes na redação de um item. O instrumento apresentou consistência interna satisfatória com valores de alfa de Cronbach entre 0,70 e 0,85, validade convergente com valores de correlação acima 0,40 em 85% dos itens e validade divergente com valores de ajuste superiores a 75%. A versão brasileira do DISABKIDS® - CFM certamente se constituirá em um instrumento válido e confiável para a mensuração da qualidade de vida de crianças e adolescentes brasileiros com fibrose cística.

Este estudio tuvo como objetivo adaptar culturalmente y describir las propiedades psicométricas iniciales del instrumento de medida de la calidad de vida relacionada a la salud, DISABKIDS® – Cystic Fibrosis Module para niños/adolescentes y sus padres/cuidadores. Estudio metodológico de desarrollo secuencial, incluyendo 126 participantes en cuatro estados brasileños. Envolvió la traducción y retro-traducción de los ítems, la equivalencia conceptual y semántica, la validez externa y la descripción de las propiedades psicométricas iniciales con relación al constructo y la confiabilidad. Para la equivalencia semántica de la versión adaptada hubo ajustes en la redacción de un ítem. El instrumento presentó consistencia interna satisfactoria con valores de alfa de Cronbach entre 0,70 y 0,85, validez convergente con valores de correlación superiores a 0,40 en 85% de los ítems y validez divergente con valores de ajuste superiores a 75%. La versión brasileña del DISABKIDS® - CFM ciertamente será un instrumento válido y confiable para medir la Calidad de Vida de niños y adolescentes con fibrosis quística.

This study aimed to perform the cultural adaptation and describe the initial psychometric properties of the DISABKIDS®−Cystic Fibrosis Module instrument to measure health-related quality of life for children and adolescents and their parents/caregivers. Methodological study of sequential development, including 126 participants in four Brazilian states. Involved translation and back translation of items, semantic and conceptual equivalence, face validity and description of the initial psychometric properties related to the construct and reliability. For semantic equivalence of the adapted version, there were adjustments in the phrasing of an item. The instrument showed satisfactory internal consistency with Cronbach’s alpha values between 0.70 and 0.85, convergent validity with correlation values above 0.40 in 85% of the items and divergent validity with scale fit higher than 75%. The Brazilian version of DISABKIDS® – CFM will certainly constitute a valid and reliable instrument for measuring the quality of life of Brazilian children and adolescents with cystic fibrosis.

Prescrição de antibióticos a crianças atendidas no inverno em Unidade de Saúde de município paulista / Prescription of antibiotics to children in winter at a basic health unit in the state of São Paulo, Brazil

Estudos de utilização de medicamentos podem contribuir para a antibioticoterapia racional, por revelarem perfis de utilização, possíveis distorções e necessidades de intervenção. O objetivo deste trabalho foi avaliar as características das prescrições médicas de antibióticos na terapêutica de crianças de 0 a 5 anos de idade de Unidade de Saúde de Santa Bárbara d’Oeste-SP, no inverno. O estudo de delineamento transversal foi conduzido entre julho e agosto de 2008. Das 262 prescrições emitidas no período, 173 (66%) apresentaram pelo menos um antibiótico. Entre estas, identificou-se a média de 2,9 medicamentos prescritos por receita, 93% sob denominação genérica e 96% constantes na Relação Municipal de Medicamentos Essenciais. A amidalite foi a causa mais frequente de indicação de antibióticos, seguida de otite e bronquite. O fármaco mais prescrito foi a amoxicilina, exceto para doenças de pele, feridas auriculares e gastroenterocolite. Em 25% das prescrições houve associação de antibióticos, sendo 81% amoxicilina associada à penicilina benzatina potássica. A amoxicilina foi prescrita em doses diárias acima do recomendado pelos Guideliness em 63,5% das prescrições e frequentemente em conjunto com o ambroxol. A alta prevalência do emprego conjunto de fármacos de mesma classe terapêutica e o elevado número de vezes em que houve sobredose nas prescrições pode ser prejudicial à saúde das crianças.

Studies on medication use can contribute to rational antibiotic therapy, revealing use patterns, possible distortions and the need for interventions. The aim of the present study was to evaluate the use of antibiotic therapy for children aged 0 to five years at a basic health unit in the city of Santa Barbara d’Oeste (state of São Paulo, Brazil) based on prescriptions made in winter. A cross-sectional study was conducted between July and August 2008. From a total of 262 prescriptions issued in the period, 173 (66%) had at least one prescription of antibiotics. The mean number of drugs prescribed per prescription was 2.9. A total of 93% of the drugs were prescribed under the generic denomination and 96% were included on the Municipal Essential Drugs List. Tonsillitis was the most frequent indication for antibiotics, followed by otitis and bronchitis. The most prescribed drug was amoxicillin, except for skin diseases, ear injuries and gastroenterocolitis. Antibiotics were prescribed in association in 25% of the prescriptions and amoxicillin was associated with potassium benzathine penicillin in 81% of such cases. Amoxicillin was prescribed in excessive doses in 63.5% of prescriptions and often together with the ambroxol. The high frequency of joint drug prescriptions from the same therapeutic class and the large number of times in which an excessive dose was prescribed constitute a risk to child health.

[Cultural adaptation and initial psychometric properties of the DISABKIDS ® - Cystic Fibrosis Module - Brazilian version]. / Adaptação cultural e propriedades psicométricas iniciais do instrumento DISABKIDS ® - Cystic Fibrosis Module - versão brasileira.

This study aimed to perform the cultural adaptation and describe the initial psychometric properties of the DISABKIDS®-Cystic Fibrosis Module instrument to measure health-related quality of life for children and adolescents and their parents/caregivers. Methodological study of sequential development, including 126 participants in four Brazilian states. Involved translation and back translation of items, semantic and conceptual equivalence, face validity and description of the initial psychometric properties related to the construct and reliability. For semantic equivalence of the adapted version, there were adjustments in the phrasing of an item. The instrument showed satisfactory internal consistency with Cronbach's alpha values between 0.70 and 0.85, convergent validity with correlation values above 0.40 in 85% of the items and divergent validity with scale fit higher than 75%. The Brazilian version of DISABKIDS® - CFM will certainly constitute a valid and reliable instrument for measuring the quality of life of Brazilian children and adolescents with cystic fibrosis.

[Translation and cultural adaptation of the brazilian version of Disabkids® Atopic Dermatits Module (ADM)]. / Tradução e adaptação cultural para o Brasil do DISABKIDS® Atopic Dermatitis Module (ADM).

The objective of this study was to translate and make the cultural adaptation of the Brazilian version of the DISABKIDS® Atopic Dermatitis Module (ADM), an instrument used to measure the health-related quality of life of children and adolescents with atopic dermatitis. The instrument has 12 items answered using a Likert scale, with two versions: self and proxy. The study counted with a sample of 18 Brazilian children and adolescents with atopic dermatitis, of ages ranging between 8 and 18 years, and their respective parents or caregivers. The process involved the following steps of translation-back translation and semantic evaluation. The former revealed good acceptance of the translated version of the instrument, which participants considered having items of easy understanding. After completing the process of validation in the country, the instrument will become available to Brazilian researchers to measure health-related quality of life, as well as to compare results from Brazil to that of other cultures in which the instrument has already been validated.