Predicting healthcare expenditure based on Adjusted Morbidity Groups to implement a needs-based capitation financing system.

BACKGROUND: Due to population aging, healthcare expenditure is projected to increase substantially in developed countries like Spain. However, prior research indicates that health status, not merely age, is a key driver of healthcare costs. This study analyzed data from over 1.25 million residents of Spain's Murcia region to develop a capitation-based healthcare financing model incorporating health status via Adjusted Morbidity Groups (AMGs). The goal was to simulate an equitable area-based healthcare budget allocation reflecting population needs. METHODS: Using 2017 data on residents' age, sex, AMG designation, and individual healthcare costs, generalized linear models were built to predict healthcare expenditure based on health status indicators. Multiple link functions and distribution families were tested, with model selection guided by information criteria, residual analysis, and goodness-of-fit statistics. The selected model was used to estimate adjusted populations and simulate capitated budgets for the 9 healthcare districts in Murcia. RESULTS: The gamma distribution with logarithmic link function provided the best model fit. Comparisons of predicted and actual average costs revealed underfunded and overfunded areas within Murcia. If implemented, the capitation model would decrease funding for most districts (up to 15.5%) while increasing it for two high-need areas, emphasizing allocation based on health status and standardized utilization rather than historical spending alone. CONCLUSIONS: AMG-based capitated budgeting could improve equity in healthcare financing across regions in Spain. By explicitly incorporating multimorbidity burden into allocation formulas, resources can be reallocated towards areas with poorer overall population health. Further policy analysis and adjustment is needed before full-scale implementation of such need-based global budgets.

How to build a fast and accurate code-modulated brain-computer interface.

Objective.In the last decade, the advent of code-modulated brain-computer interfaces (BCIs) has allowed the implementation of systems with high information transfer rates (ITRs) and increased the possible practicality of such interfaces. In this paper, we evaluate the effect of different numbers of targets in the stimulus display, modulation sequences generators, and signal processing algorithms on the accuracy and ITR of code-modulated BCIs.Approach.We use both real and simulated electroencephalographic (EEG) data, to evaluate these parameters and methods. Then, we compared numerous different setups to assess their performance and identify the best configurations. We also evaluated the dependability of our simulated evaluation approach.Main results.Our results show that Golay, almost perfect, and deBruijn sequence-based visual stimulus modulations provide the best results, significantly outperforming the commonly used m-sequences in all cases. We conclude that artificial neural network processing algorithms offer the best processing pipeline for this type of BCI, achieving a maximum classification accuracy of 94.7% on real EEG data while obtaining a maximum ITR of 127.2 bits min-1in a simulated 64-target system.Significance.We used a simulated framework that demonstrated previously unattainable flexibility and convenience while staying reasonably realistic. Furthermore, our findings suggest several new considerations which can be used to guide further code-based BCI development.

Forest Fevers: traditional treatment of malaria in the southern lowlands of Laos.

ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE: Malaria is still a highly challenging public health issue in southern Lao PDR, with increasing cases of artemisinin resistance and Plasmodium vivax infections which are more complicated to treat. Traditional medicine has a long history of use in Laos, and is primarily practised by traditional village healers, who possess unique bodies of transmitted knowledge focused on herbal prescriptions, including those for the treatment of malaria. Villagers also use plants for healthcare in the home. The aim of the study is to document local fever concepts and use of herbal remedies, and examine whether they may have potential as complementary treatments against malaria. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The study took place in Champasak province in the far south of Laos, in primarily lowland areas. First, 35 traditional healers across the 10 districts of the province were interviewed to elicit details about knowledge and treatment of fevers. Second, a household survey was conducted in a village in a malaria-endemic area; 97 households were interviewed on fever incidence, differentiation, treatment-seeking behaviour and knowledge of plant-based remedies for fevers. Plants indicated by both healers and villagers were collected and voucher specimens deposited in the herbarium of the National University of Laos for identification. RESULTS: Malaria is a well-known pathology among the healers and villagers of lowland Champasak province; biomedical treatments are preferentially used, but traditional medicine is a popular complementary method, especially in chronic cases with additional symptoms. 30 different fever types were recorded, which were usually named symptomatically, and grouped into 12 categories. Some were described as forms of malaria, which was conceived as a dynamic, changing pathology affecting many body systems. Healers formulate treatments based on symptoms and the person's constitution, and with the intention of creating specific pharmacological actions associated with temperature or flavours. 11 of the healers gave prescriptions for malaria (27 in total), including 47 identified plant species. The most-used plants (4 or more use-reports) were also the most cited in the literature for use against malaria, demonstrating a correspondence between Lao healers and other traditional medical systems. Furthermore, some of these species show promising results for future research, especially Amorphophallus paeniifolius (Dennst.) Nicolson and Alocasia macrorrhizos (L.) G. Don. CONCLUSION: Traditional healers are important actors in the treatment of malaria in southern Laos, and herbal remedies should be evaluated further by the use of reverse treatment outcome trials, especially those which may be of use as complementary remedies in treating P. vivax. Initiatives on knowledge transmission, medicinal plant conservation and healthcare integration are also urgently needed.

Síndrome de embolia grasa tras fractura abierta de calcáneo por arma de fuego / Fat embolism syndrome after open calcaneal fracture due to gunshot

El síndrome de embolia grasa es una complicación asociada, por lo general, a fracturas de huesos largos, fracturas de pelvis o procedimientos ortopédicos. Presentamos el caso inusual de un paciente de 24 años con diagnóstico de síndrome de embolia grasa tras sufrir una fractura abierta de calcáneo por arma de fuego de alta energía. Nivel de Evidencia: IV.

Fat embolism syndrome is a complication usually associated with long bone fractures, pelvic fractures and orthopedic procedures. We present the unusual case of a 24-year-old patient with a diagnosis of fat embolism syndrome after an open calcaneal fracture due to gunshot injury. Level of Evidence: IV.

La plataforma Moodle: Una herramienta útil para la formación en soporte vital. Análisis de las encuestas de satisfacción a los alumnos e instructores de los cursos de soporte vital avanzado del programa ESVAP de la semFYC / The Moodle platform: A useful tool for training in life support. Analysis of satisfaction questionnaires from students and instructors of the semFYC advanced life support courses

OBJETIVO: Medir la utilidad del método semipresencial en la formación en soporte vital. El uso de Moodle para implementar una fase no presencial previa a la fase presencial «clásica» en la metodología docente es su principal novedad. DISEÑO: Analizamos encuestas de satisfacción a alumnos e instructores de cursos semipresenciales de soporte vital avanzado del programa de Enseñanza de Soporte Vital en Atención Primaria (ESVAP). Emplazamiento: plataforma Moodle. Aula Virtual de semFYC. Participantes y/o contextos: Alumnos e instructores del curso de soporte vital avanzado del programa ESVAP de semFYC. MÉTODO: Análisis cualitativo. RESULTADOS: A la mayoría de los alumnos les parece muy útil (50%) o útil (45,37%) el hecho de que haya una fase no presencial previa y considera que esta fase les ha ayudado mucho (42,20%) o bastante (48,62%) a aprovechar la fase presencial. Los instructores consideraron que la fase no presencial había resultadomuy útil (89%) o útil (11%) para el desarrollo de la fase presencial. DISCUSIÓN: De los resultados se concluye que: 1) para los alumnos resulta muy útil una fase no presencial previa y consideran que ayuda bastante/mucho a aprovechar la fase presencial, y 2) los instructores consideran que la fase no presencial ha ayudado bastante en el aprovechamiento y eficiencia de los talleres en la fase presencial

OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study is to assess the validity and use of a mixed method of training in life support. The use of Moodle to implement an online pre-sessional phase prior to a 'classic' classroom phase of teaching in this type of course is the main novelty. DESIGN: Analysis of satisfaction questionnaires of students and instructors of a mixed course in the advanced life support program of SemFYC (ESVAP). SETTING: Moodle platform. semFYC Virtual Classroom. Participants and/or contexts: Students and instructors participating in the semFYC advanced life support program, ESVAP. Method: Qualitative analysis. RESULTS: The majority of students rate as very useful (50%) or useful (45.37%) the existence of an online pre-sessional phase, and consider that it has helped them very much (42.20%) or quite a lot (48.62%) to make the most of the face-to-face sessions. For instructors, they considered that the existence of an online pre-sessional phase was very useful (89%) or useful (11%) for the development of the face-to-face sessions. DISCUSSION: The analysis of the results concluded that: 1) the students considered a prior non-face to face phase as very useful, and it helped them much/very much in the face to face phase, and 2) the instructors believe that the non-face to face phase had helped them a lot in the presentations and efficiency of the workshops in the face-to-face phase

[The Moodle platform: A useful tool for training in life support. Analysis of satisfaction questionnaires from students and instructors of the semFYC advanced life support courses]. / La plataforma Moodle: Una herramienta útil para la formación en soporte vital. Análisis de las encuestas de satisfacción a los alumnos e instructores de los cursos de soporte vital avanzado del programa ESVAP de la semFYC.

OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study is to assess the validity and use of a mixed method of training in life support. The use of Moodle to implement an online pre-sessional phase prior to a "classic" classroom phase of teaching in this type of course is the main novelty. DESIGN: Analysis of satisfaction questionnaires of students and instructors of a mixed course in the advanced life support program of SemFYC (ESVAP). SETTING: Moodle platform. semFYC Virtual Classroom. PARTICIPANTS AND/OR CONTEXTS: Students and instructors participating in the semFYC advanced life support program, ESVAP. METHOD: Qualitative analysis. RESULTS: The majority of students rate as very useful (50%) or useful (45.37%) the existence of an online pre-sessional phase, and consider that it has helped them very much (42.20%) or quite a lot (48.62%) to make the most of the face-to-face sessions. For instructors, they considered that the existence of an online pre-sessional phase was very useful (89%) or useful (11%) for the development of the face-to-face sessions. DISCUSSION: The analysis of the results concluded that: 1) the students considered a prior non-face to face phase as very useful, and it helped them much/very much in the face to face phase, and 2) the instructors believe that the non-face to face phase had helped them a lot in the presentations and efficiency of the workshops in the face-to-face phase.

Análisis de la asistencia a la parada cardiorrespiratoria por una Unidad Medicalizada de Emergencias / Analysis of care in cardiorespiratory arrest in an emergency medical unit

ObjetivoDescribir el perfil epidemiológico de las paradas cardiorrespiratorias (PCR) y determinar los factores asociados al éxito de las maniobras de reanimación cardiopulmonar (RCP).DiseñoEstudio observacional descriptivo retrospectivo.EmplazamientoCiudad de Badajoz y población atendida por una Unidad Medicalizada de Emergencias (UME) del Sistema Público de Salud de dicha ciudad.ParticipantesSe estudian 359 PCR reanimadas entre enero de 2002 y mayo de 2009.ResultadosDe las PCR ocurridas en adultos, el 65,4% eran varones, el 65,7% tuvieron lugar en el domicilio, en el 88% la causa fue no traumática, y en el 6% se habían realizado maniobras de RCP básica previas a la llegada de la unidad medicalizada. El porcentaje mayor de éxito se consiguió en los pacientes varones (OR: 0,43; IC 95%: 0,25-0,73; p=0,002), cuando el ritmo fue desfibrilable (OR: 0,16; IC 95%: 0,09-0,27; p<0,001) y cuando el inicio de maniobras de soporte vital avanzado (SVA) fue igual o inferior a 10 minutos (OR: 0,22; IC 95%: 0,10-0,49; p<0,001). En el análisis multivariante, el éxito se asoció de forma independiente al sexo masculino, ritmo inicial desfibrilable y tiempo de inicio de las maniobras de SVA igual o inferior a 10 minutos. Se reanimaron 9 niños, pero no se consiguió éxito en ninguno de ellos.ConclusionesLas PCR predominan en los adultos, y en pocos casos se realiza RCP previa a la llegada de la unidad de emergencias. El sexo masculino, un ritmo eléctrico desfibrilable y el inicio precoz de las maniobras de SVA, se asocian a un mayor éxito. Es escaso el número de PCR asistidas en niños y el pronóstico más desfavorable(AU)

ObjectiveTo describe the epidemiological profile of cardiac arrests and to determine factors associated with successful cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR).DesignRetrospective descriptive observational study.SitesBadajoz city (Spain) and population attended by the Medical Emergency Unit of the Public Health System in that city.ParticipantsA study 359 cardiac arrests resuscitated between January 2002 and May 2009.ResultsOut of the cardiac arrests that ocurred in adults, 65.40% were male, the cause was not traumatic in 88%; 65.70% occurred in the patient's home,and in 6% of the cases there had been basic life support. The higher success rate after was achieved in adult male patients (OR: 0,43; CI 95%; 0.25-0.73; P=.002), whose rhythm was shockable (OR: 0,16; CI 95%: 0,09-0,27; P<.001) and when the start time of advanced life support was equal to or less than 10minutes (OR: 0,22; CI 95%: 0,10-0,49; P<.001). In a multivariant analysis success of CPR was independently associated with male gender, initial shockable rhythm, and the onset of advanced life support within 10minutes. Nine children were revived, but success was not achieved in any.ConclusionsCardiac arrests are more common in adults and in few cases CPR is previously performed. Male gender, an initial shockable rhythm, and the early initiation of advanced life support, are associated with higher success of CPR. There were few CPR performed in cardiac arrest in children, and the prognosis was more unfavorable(AU)

[Analysis of care in cardiorespiratory arrest in an emergency medical unit]. / Análisis de la asistencia a la parada cardiorrespiratoria por una Unidad Medicalizada de Emergencias.

OBJECTIVE: To describe the epidemiological profile of cardiac arrests and to determine factors associated with successful cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR). DESIGN: Retrospective descriptive observational study. SITES: Badajoz city (Spain) and population attended by the Medical Emergency Unit of the Public Health System in that city. PARTICIPANTS: A study 359 cardiac arrests resuscitated between January 2002 and May 2009. RESULTS: Out of the cardiac arrests that ocurred in adults, 65.40% were male, the cause was not traumatic in 88%; 65.70% occurred in the patient's home,and in 6% of the cases there had been basic life support. The higher success rate after was achieved in adult male patients (OR: 0,43; CI 95%; 0.25-0.73; P=.002), whose rhythm was shockable (OR: 0,16; CI 95%: 0,09-0,27; P<.001) and when the start time of advanced life support was equal to or less than 10 minutes (OR: 0,22; CI 95%: 0,10-0,49; P<.001). In a multivariant analysis success of CPR was independently associated with male gender, initial shockable rhythm, and the onset of advanced life support within 10 minutes. Nine children were revived, but success was not achieved in any. CONCLUSIONS: Cardiac arrests are more common in adults and in few cases CPR is previously performed. Male gender, an initial shockable rhythm, and the early initiation of advanced life support, are associated with higher success of CPR. There were few CPR performed in cardiac arrest in children, and the prognosis was more unfavorable.