Is unicentric familial papillary thyroid microcarcinoma different from multicentric?

BACKGROUND: Familial papillary thyroid microcarcinoma (FPTMC) appears to be more aggressive than sporadic papillary thyroid microcarcinoma (SPTMC). However, there are authors who indicate that unicentric FPTMC has a similar prognosis to SPTMC. The objective is to analyze whether unicentric FPTMC has a better prognosis than multicentric FPTMC. DESIGN AND METHODS: Type of study: National multicenter longitudinal analytical observational study. STUDY POPULATION: Patients with FPTMC. STUDY GROUPS: Two groups were compared: Group A (unicentric FPTMC) vs. Group B (multicentric FPTMC). STUDY VARIABLES: It is analyzed whether between the groups there are: a) differentiating characteristics; and b) prognostic differences. STATISTICAL ANALYSIS: Cox regression analysis and survival analysis. RESULTS: Ninety-four patients were included, 44% (n = 41) with unicentric FPTMC and 56% (n = 53) with multicentric FPTMC. No differences were observed between the groups according to socio-familial, clinical or histological variables. In the group B a more aggressive treatment was performed, with higher frequency of total thyroidectomy (99 vs. 78%; p = 0.003), lymph node dissection (41 vs. 15%; p = 0.005) and therapy with radioactive iodine (96 vs. 73%; p = 0.002). Tumor stage was similar in both groups (p = 0.237), with a higher number of T3 cases in the group B (24 vs. 5%; p = 0.009). After a mean follow-up of 90 ± 68.95 months, the oncological results were similar, with a similar disease persistence rate (9 vs. 5%; p = 0.337), disease recurrence rate (21 vs. 8%; p = 0.159) and disease-free survival (p = 0.075). CONCLUSIONS: Unicentric FPTMC should not be considered as a SPTMC due to its prognosis is similar to multicentric FPTMC.

Biological behavior of familial papillary thyroid microcarcinoma: Spanish multicenter study.

PURPOSE: Familial papillary thyroid microcarcinoma (FPTMC) can present a more aggressive behavior than the sporadic microcarcinoma. However, few studies have analyzed this situation. The objective is to analyze the recurrence rate of FPTMC and the prognostic factors which determine that recurrence in Spain. METHODS: Spanish multicenter longitudinal analytical observational study was conducted. Patients with FPTMC received treatment with curative intent and presented cure criteria 6 months after treatment. Recurrence rate and disease-free survival (DFS) were analyzed. Two groups were analyzed: group A (no tumor recurrence) vs. group B (tumor recurrence). RESULTS: Ninety-four patients were analyzed. During a mean follow-up of 73.3 ± 59.3 months, 13 recurrences of FPTMC (13.83%) were detected and mean DFS was 207.9 ± 11.5 months. There were multifocality in 56%, bilateral thyroid involvement in 30%, and vascular invasion in 7.5%; that is to say, they are tumors with histological factors of poor prognosis in a high percentage of cases. The main risk factors for recurrence obtained in the multivariate analysis were the tumor size (OR: 2.574, 95% CI 1.210-5.473; p = 0.014) and the assessment of the risk of recurrence of the American Thyroid Association (ATA), both intermediate risk versus low risk (OR: 125, 95% CI 10.638-1000; p < 0.001) and high risk versus low risk (OR: 45.454, 95% CI 5.405-333.333; p < 0.001). CONCLUSION: FPTMC has a recurrence rate higher than sporadic cases. Poor prognosis is mainly associated with the tumor size and the risk of recurrence of the ATA.

Impact of Hepatic Artery Thrombosis on the Success of a Liver Transplant Because of Hepatocellular Carcinoma.

BACKGROUND: Hepatic artery thrombosis is one of the most serious complications after liver transplant. Our objective is to evaluate the impact of arterial thrombosis on the postoperative evolution of a series of patients who received transplants because of hepatocellular carcinoma. METHODS: A retrospective study of 100 consecutive hepatocellular carcinoma liver transplants was performed from January 2011 to November 2017. RESULTS: Of the 100 transplant recipients, we have observed hepatic artery thrombosis in 4 of them, 3 premature and 1 delayed. All of them received retransplants after diagnosis by hepatic artery ultrasonography and arteriography. The descriptive analysis showed a significant relationship between the appearance of hepatic artery thrombosis with variables of postoperative severity, such as arrhythmias, atelectasis, pleural effusion, hemodialysis requirement, acute kidney failure, and respiratory failure. Although patients with hepatic artery thrombosis had a longer mean hospital stay, this was not statistically significant. There was decreased graft survival and overall survival of patients who experienced hepatic artery thrombosis. CONCLUSION: Although the incidence of hepatic artery thrombosis has been relatively low (4%), the early detection of risk factors, such as arterial anatomic anomalies that condition a complex anastomosis, should draw our attention, thus having at our disposal strict ultrasonography and arteriography surveillance protocols as well as prophylactic anticoagulation guidelines for receptors at risk.

Control de la presión arterial en pacientes con fibrilación auricular tratados con acenocumarol e índice de Rosendaal alterado / Control of blood pressure in patients with atrial fibrillation treated with acenocoumarol and with an altered Rosendaal index

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Mitotic rate as an important prognostic factor in cutaneous malignant melanoma.

BACKGROUND: Recently, the quantification of mitoses in cutaneous melanoma has been discharged from the main prognostic variables of the TNM classification. OBJECTIVE: To investigate the prognostic value of the presence of mitoses in primary cutaneous melanoma and to establish the number of mitoses per mm2 that may have prognostic significance. METHODS: A retrospective observational study was performed on 141 patients treated for cutaneous melanoma, who were assessed by the same pathologist, and who had a minimum follow-up of 2 years. Clinical, epidemiological, histopathological and follow-up variables were gathered and compared with the number of mitoses to distinguish the significance of differences by means of univariate, multivariate, and survival analyses. RESULTS: The cut-off level related to a better sensitivity and specificity was 1.50 mitoses per mm2. The presence of two or more mitoses/mm2 showed a better relationship with prognostic variables and both the overall and disease-free survival than the presence of 1 or more mitoses/mm2. This happens especially in melanomas thicker than 0.8 mm and it could affect the staging in cases with Breslow between 1 and 2 mm. CONCLUSIONS: A mitotic rate of two or more mitoses per mm2 in cutaneous melanoma should be considered as a more accurate prognostic factor than one or more mitoses per mm2, particularly in tumors equal or greater than 0.8 mm in thickness.

Usefulness of lymphocyte-to-monocyte, neutrophil-to-monocyte and neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratios as prognostic markers in breast cancer patients treated with neoadjuvant chemotherapy

Background. Nowadays, neoadjuvant chemotherapy (nCT) in breast cancer is more and more standardized, not only in advanced tumours but also in those for which there is an attempt to achieve breast-conserving surgery. In literature, we can find evidences of the relationship between several types of tumours and systemic inflammatory response. Our objective is to analyse the prognostic value of blood parameters (lymphocytes, neutrophils, monocytes, lymphocyte-to-monocyte ratio (LMR), neutrophil-to-monocyte ratio (NMR) and neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio (NLR) in breast cancer (BC) patients treated with nCT. Methods. A retrospective cohort of 150 breast cancer patients treated with nCT and subsequently with surgery was analysed. Data about the patients, histology, response to chemotherapy and peripheral blood values of lymphocytes, monocytes and neutrophils was collected, and used to calculate the LMR, NMR and NLR. Univariate and multivariate analyses were performed for the variables to see the relationship of the ratios to disease-free survival (DFS) and overall survival (OS). Results. Patients with high LMR (≥5.46) and low NLR (<3.33) were associated with a lower percentage of relapse (P = 0.048 and P = 0.015, respectively) and, above all, NLR was associated with a better survival (P = 0.024), being those factors that predict a good progress. Conclusion. High LMR and low NLR can be considered as favourable prognostic factors in BC patients treated with nCT (AU)

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Usefulness of lymphocyte-to-monocyte, neutrophil-to-monocyte and neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratios as prognostic markers in breast cancer patients treated with neoadjuvant chemotherapy.

BACKGROUND: Nowadays, neoadjuvant chemotherapy (nCT) in breast cancer is more and more standardized, not only in advanced tumours but also in those for which there is an attempt to achieve breast-conserving surgery. In literature, we can find evidences of the relationship between several types of tumours and systemic inflammatory response. Our objective is to analyse the prognostic value of blood parameters (lymphocytes, neutrophils, monocytes, lymphocyte-to-monocyte ratio (LMR), neutrophil-to-monocyte ratio (NMR) and neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio (NLR) in breast cancer (BC) patients treated with nCT. METHODS: A retrospective cohort of 150 breast cancer patients treated with nCT and subsequently with surgery was analysed. Data about the patients, histology, response to chemotherapy and peripheral blood values of lymphocytes, monocytes and neutrophils was collected, and used to calculate the LMR, NMR and NLR. Univariate and multivariate analyses were performed for the variables to see the relationship of the ratios to disease-free survival (DFS) and overall survival (OS). RESULTS: Patients with high LMR (≥5.46) and low NLR (<3.33) were associated with a lower percentage of relapse (P = 0.048 and P = 0.015, respectively) and, above all, NLR was associated with a better survival (P = 0.024), being those factors that predict a good progress. CONCLUSION: High LMR and low NLR can be considered as favourable prognostic factors in BC patients treated with nCT.

Satisfacción percibida por pacientes y profesionales participantes de una vía clínica del ligamento cruzado anterior / Satisfaction perceived by outpatients and health professionals participating in a clinical pathway after anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction

Introducción. El propósito de este estudio fue evaluar el grado de satisfacción y la calidad asistencial percibida por los pacientes que finalizaron una vía clínica tras la reconstrucción del ligamento cruzado anterior y determinar el grado de satisfacción de los profesionales que participaron en ella. Material y métodos. Estudio observacional transversal. Se incluyeron 42 pacientes que finalizaron la vía clínica. Cumplimentaron una encuesta de satisfacción con 37 ítems: 32 recogían las respuestas en escala tipo Likert con puntuaciones de 1 «muy insatisfecho» a 5 «muy satisfecho», y el resto permitían responder «sí» o «no». Además se entregó una encuesta a los profesionales que participaron. Resultados. Los aspectos mejor valorados del servicio de traumatología fueron la percepción de mejoría de la inestabilidad de la rodilla tras la cirugía y el grado de satisfacción con el servicio (4,5±0,7). El servicio de rehabilitación destacó por la facilidad para conseguir una cita (4,3±0,7). El grado de confianza que transmite el médico rehabilitador y conocer su nombre fueron aspectos con buenas puntuaciones (4,5±0,7). Los ítems con mejor calificación para el fisioterapeuta fueron su preparación y el grado de confianza que transmite (4,5±0,7). El grado de satisfacción global fue del 88,1%; 23 ítems se correlacionaron estadísticamente con la satisfacción global (p<0,001). El 100% de los profesionales se manifestaron «ligeramente de acuerdo» y «muy de acuerdo» con el desarrollo de la vía clínica. Conclusiones. El estudio ha demostrado que existe un alto grado de satisfacción entre los usuarios y los profesionales participantes de la vía clínica (AU)

Introduction. The aim of this study was to evaluate patient satisfaction and perceived quality of care among patients undergoing a clinical pathway after reconstruction of the anterior cruciate ligament and to determine the degree of satisfaction health professionals participating in the pathway. Material and methods. Cross-sectional observational study. We included 42 patients who finished the clinical pathway. The patients completed a satisfaction survey with 37 items: 32 items elicited Likert-like responses with scores of 1 ‘very dissatisfied’ to 5 ‘highly satisfied’ and the rest elicited a ‘yes/no’ response. A survey was given to the professionals involved. Results. The most positively valued aspects of the Department of Orthopaedic Surgery were the perceived improvement in knee instability after surgery and the degree of satisfaction with the department (4.5±.7). The Rehabilitation Department scored highly on ease of obtaining an appointment (4.3±.7). The highest-rated aspects were the trust inspired by the physiatrist and knowing the patient's name (4.5±.7). The items most highly scored by physiotherapists were their training and the degree of trust they inspired (4.5±.7). Overall satisfaction was 88.1%, and 23 items were statistically correlated with overall satisfaction (P<.001). All of the health professionals reported they ‘slightly agreed’ or ‘strongly agreed’ with the development of the clinical pathway. Conclusions. This study shows that there is a high level of satisfaction between outpatients and health professionals involved in the clinical pathway (AU)

Sensibilidad de Streptococcus pneumoniae en niños portadores sanos en Murcia (España) / Antibiotic susceptibility of Streptococcus pneumoniae in healthy carrier children in Murcia (Spain)

INTRODUCCIÓN Y OBJETIVOS: Streptococcus pneumoniae (SP) es un patógeno que causa un elevado consumo de antibióticos. OBJETIVOS: conocer la sensibilidad a antibióticos de uso habitual, los factores epidemiológicos asociados y favorecer el uso racional de antibióticos. PACIENTES Y MÉTODOS: En verano del 2009 y el invierno del 2010 realizamos un estudio multicéntrico en Atención Primaria (AP). Se recogió una muestra nasofaríngea y se cumplimentó una encuesta epidemiológica en 1.562 niños de 1 y 4 años. RESULTADOS: El 31,3% (489/1.562) eran portadores nasales (PN). Se realizó un estudio de sensibilidad en 376 aislados, y se serotipificaron 343. El 61,7% (964/1.562) habían recibido al menos una dosis de vacuna antineumocócica conjugada heptavalente (PCV7). El 12,8% (44/343) correspondía a serotipos vacunales (SV). La resistencia a penicilina (criterio meningitis CMI>0,06mg/l) fue del 28%, siendo del 54% para los SV. Para infecciones no meníngeas, el 100% de los aislados eran sensibles a penicilina parenteral (CMI ≤ 2mg/l). Existe un alto nivel de resistencias para eritromicina (45,8%). Fueron factores favorecedores de resistencia haber tomado antibióticos el mes previo y ser portador de SV tanto para penicilina como para cefotaxima y la edad de 4 años un factor de protección. Los serotipos 14, 35B, 19A, 15A y 19F fueron los menos susceptibles a penicilina. CONCLUSIONES: La amoxicilina por vía oral para pacientes ambulatorios y la penicilina o ampicilina por vía intravenosa para pacientes ingresados son excelentes opciones para el tratamiento de infecciones neumocócicas no meníngeas, en entornos como el nuestro, con una baja incidencia de aislados con alto nivel de resistencia a penicilina (CMI ≥ 2mg/l)

INTRODUCTION AND OBJECTIVES: Streptococcus pneumoniae (SP) is a human pathogen that involves a high use of antibiotics. The objective of the study was to determine the susceptibility to commonly used antibiotics and their associated risk factors, in order to promote rational use of antibiotics. PATIENTS AND METHODS: In A multicentre study was conducted in summer 2009 and winter 2010 on children attending paediatric clinics in the Region of Murcia. A nasopharyngeal sample was collected and an epidemiological questionnaire was completed. The study included 1562 children aged 1 and 4 years old. RESULTS: Almost one-third (31.3%, 489/1562) of children were nasal carriers. A sensitivity study was carried out on 376 isolates, of which 343 were serotyped. Almost two-thirds (61.7%, 964/1562) of children had received at least one dose of PCV7 heptavalent pneumococcal conjugate vaccine), and 12.8% (44/343) of the isolates belonged to PCV7 serotypes. The prevalence rates of penicillin resistance (meningitis infections criteria CMI>0.06mg/L) were 28.1%; however, this percentage was 54% in PCV7 serotypes. None of the isolates had (MIC >2mg/L), so prevalence rates of susceptibility with non-meningitis infections criteria were 100%. There was a high percentage of erythromycin resistance (45.7%). The factors favouring resistance to penicillin and cefotaxime were the consumption of antibiotics in the previous month and the carrying of vaccine serotypes. On the other hand, the age of 4 years old was a protective factor of resistance. The 14, 35B, 19A, 15A, and 19F serotypes were less susceptible to penicillin. CONCLUSIONS: Both oral amoxicillin given to outpatients and intravenous penicillin or ampicillin to hospitalized patients are excellent options for the treatment of non-meningeal infections, as seen with pneumonia in these kinds of environments, where there is low incidence of isolates highly resistant to penicillin (CMI ≥ 2mg/L)

[Antibiotic susceptibility of Streptococcus pneumoniae in healthy carrier children in Murcia (Spain)]. / Sensibilidad de Streptococcus pneumoniae en niños portadores sanos en Murcia (España).

INTRODUCTION AND OBJECTIVES: Streptococcus pneumoniae (SP) is a human pathogen that involves a high use of antibiotics. The objective of the study was to determine the susceptibility to commonly used antibiotics and their associated risk factors, in order to promote rational use of antibiotics. PATIENTS AND METHODS: In A multicentre study was conducted in summer 2009 and winter 2010 on children attending paediatric clinics in the Region of Murcia. A nasopharyngeal sample was collected and an epidemiological questionnaire was completed. The study included 1562 children aged 1 and 4 years old. RESULTS: Almost one-third (31.3%, 489/1562) of children were nasal carriers. A sensitivity study was carried out on 376 isolates, of which 343 were serotyped. Almost two-thirds (61.7%, 964/1562) of children had received at least one dose of PCV7 (heptavalent pneumococcal conjugate vaccine), and 12.8% (44/343) of the isolates belonged to PCV7 serotypes. The prevalence rates of penicillin resistance (meningitis infections criteria CMI>0.06mg/L) were 28.1%; however, this percentage was 54% in PCV7 serotypes. None of the isolates had (MIC >2mg/L), so prevalence rates of susceptibility with non-meningitis infections criteria were 100%. There was a high percentage of erythromycin resistance (45.7%). The factors favouring resistance to penicillin and cefotaxime were the consumption of antibiotics in the previous month and the carrying of vaccine serotypes. On the other hand, the age of 4 years old was a protective factor of resistance. The 14, 35B, 19A, 15A, and 19F serotypes were less susceptible to penicillin. CONCLUSIONS: Both oral amoxicillin given to outpatients and intravenous penicillin or ampicillin to hospitalized patients are excellent options for the treatment of non-meningeal infections, as seen with pneumonia in these kinds of environments, where there is low incidence of isolates highly resistant to penicillin (CMI ≥ 2mg/L).

Epidemiology and genetics of common mental disorders in the general population: the PEGASUS-Murcia project.

BACKGROUND: Multidisciplinary collaboration between clinicians, epidemiologists, neurogeneticists and statisticians on research projects has been encouraged to improve our knowledge of the complex mechanisms underlying the aetiology and burden of mental disorders. The PEGASUS-Murcia (Psychiatric Enquiry to General Population in Southeast Spain-Murcia) project was designed to assess the prevalence of common mental disorders and to identify the risk and protective factors, and it also included the collection of biological samples to study the gene-environmental interactions in the context of the World Mental Health Survey Initiative. METHODS AND ANALYSIS: The PEGASUS-Murcia project is a new cross-sectional face-to-face interview survey based on a representative sample of non-institutionalised adults in the Region of Murcia (Mediterranean Southeast, Spain). Trained lay interviewers used the latest version of the computer-assisted personal interview of the Composite International Diagnostic Interview (CIDI 3.0) for use in Spain, specifically adapted for the project. Two biological samples of buccal mucosal epithelium will be collected from each interviewed participant, one for DNA extraction for genomic and epigenomic analyses and the other to obtain mRNA for gene expression quantification. Several quality control procedures will be implemented to assure the highest reliability and validity of the data. This article describes the rationale, sampling methods and questionnaire content as well as the laboratory methodology. ETHICS AND DISSEMINATION: Informed consent will be obtained from all participants and a Regional Ethics Research Committee has approved the protocol. Results will be disseminated in peer-reviewed publications and presented at the national and the international conferences. DISCUSSION: Cross-sectional studies, which combine detailed personal information with biological data, offer new and exciting opportunities to study the gene-environmental interactions in the aetiology of common mental disorders in representative samples of the general population. A collaborative multidisciplinary research approach offers the potential to advance our knowledge of the underlying complex interactions and this opens the field for further innovative study designs in psychiatric epidemiology.

The value of 18F-FDG PET/CT for assessing the response to neoadjuvant therapy in locally advanced rectal cancer.

PURPOSE: Neoadjuvant radiochemotherapy (RCT) is an accepted treatment for locally advanced rectal cancer (LARC) that improves surgical outcomes. If a pathological complete response is achieved, conservative surgery can be considered. The objective of our study was to assess the reliability of (18)F-FDG PET/CT for evaluating the response to neoadjuvant RCT in LARC. METHODS: We prospectively studied 41 patients diagnosed with LARC and candidates for neoadjuvant RCT. PET/CT was performed before RCT and again 7 weeks later. A visual and semiquantitative analysis was carried out. The pathological response was classified according to the Mandard tumour regression grade (TRG). We analysed: (a) the relationship between TRG and the result of the posttreatment PET/CT scan, and (b) the correlation between the percentage of pathological response and the percentage decrease in SUVmax according to the response index (RI). RESULTS: The mean SUVmax of the rectal lesions at diagnosis was 13.6 and after RCT 3.96. The mean RI was 65.32 %. Sensitivity was 88.88 %, specificity 92.86 %, positive predictive value 96 %, negative predictive value 81 %. Of the 41 patients, 8 had TRG I (all negative PET/CT); 6 had TRG II (5 negative, 1 positive PET/CT); 16 had TRG III (13 positive, 3 negative PET/CT); 9 had TRG IV (all positive PET/CT); 2 had TRG V (all positive PET/CT). Of the 14 patients classified as responders (TRG I, II), 13 (92.86 %) had negative PET/CT. Of the 27 patients classified as nonresponders (TRG III-V), 24 (88.88 %) had positive PET/CT. Differences were statistically significant (p < 0.0001). The RI in responders was 79.9 % and in nonresponders was 60.3 %. Differences were statistically significant (p < 0.037). CONCLUSION: PET/CT is a reliable technique for assessing response to neoadjuvant RCT in LARC, with a view to considering more conservative surgical treatment. The combination of the visual and semiquantitative analysis increases the diagnostic validity of PET/CT.

Impacto de curso on-line sobre el grado de conocimiento del programa OMI-AP para médicos / Impact of an on-line course on the level of knowledge of the OMI-AP program for primary care doctors

Objetivo. Evaluar el impacto de un curso on-line sobre el nivel de conocimiento del programa OMI-AP (Oficina Médica Informatizada en Atención Primaria) en el personal médico. Material y métodos. Ciclo de Mejora para optimizar el conocimiento y uso de OMI-AP por los médicos de Familia del Servicio Murciano de Salud. Participaron 55 médicos de familia que realizaron el curso on-line sobre OMI-AP. Se realizó un curso on-line de 2 meses de duración en el que a través de 9 módulos se dio una formación de nivel avanzado sobre OMI-AP. Las mediciones efectuadas se realizaron en 2 fases: 1) una semana antes de comenzar el curso se aplicó a los alumnos inscritos un cuestionario sobre el nivel de conocimientos sobre OMI-AP (10 preguntas). 2) Una semana después de finalizar el curso se aplicó el mismo cuestionario. Resultados. Se analizó la nota media del cuestionario que fue de 5,31 puntos previamente a la realización del curso y de 7,70 puntos tras la finalización del curso (p<0,05). En 9 de las 10 preguntas analizadas el porcentaje de respuestas correctas mejoró significativamente tras la realización de curso. Conclusiones. La impartición del curso on-line de OMI-AP para médicos supuso una mejora significativa en el nivel de conocimiento de dicho programa, básico para la consulta diaria de los médicos de familia de nuestro servicio de salud. La formación on-line facilitó enormemente la formación de los profesionales al posibilitar una gestión del tiempo acorde a las necesidades del alumno (AU)

Objective. To evaluate the impact of an online course on the level of knowledge of the OMI-AP (Computerised Medical Office in Primary Care) program in medical personnel. Methods. Improvement cycle to optimize the knowledge and use of OMI-AP by family physicians in the Murcia Health Service. A total of 55 family physicians who completed an on-line course on OMI-AP were included. Advanced level training on the OMI-AP was given over a 2 month period via 9 modules. The measurements made were performed in two phases: 1st) A questionnaire on the level of knowledge of OMI-AP (10 questions) was completed one week before the students enrolled in the course. 2nd) The same questionnaire was used one week after completing the course. Results. The average score of the questionnaire was 5.31 points before the completion of the course and 7.70 points after the completion of the course (P<05). In 9 of the 10 questions analysed the percentage of correct answers significantly improved after the completion of the course. Conclusions. The delivery of the on-line OMI-AP course for doctors has led to a significant improvement in the level of knowledge of the program, essential for the daily practice of family physicians in our health service. On-line training greatly facilitates the training of professionals by enabling time management according to student needs (AU)