Hospitalizaciones evitables por problemas de salud sensibles a cuidados ambulatorios: construcción y validación de la lista Uruguaya de patologías

Introducción: Las hospitalizaciones por Ambulatory Care Sensitive Conditions es un indicador que mide la utilización de los servicios hospitalarios por problemas de salud que podrían haber sido prevenidos en el primer nivel de atención. El concepto se refiere a los procesos en que la atención ambulatoria efectiva puede ayudar a disminuir los riesgos de hospitalización, en un segundo nivel de atención. El objetivo del estudio fue construir y validar una lista uruguaya de problemas de salud sensibles a cuidados ambulatorios (PSSCA) según CIE-10. Metodología: Para la construcción de la lista inicial de códigos de PSSCA se realizó una revisión de los listados existentes y se propuso un listado inicial que fue validado a través del Método Delphi. Se propone un listado de 99 códigos diagnósticos de PSSCA adaptado a nuestro entono sanitario. Los mismos permiten identificar y cuantificar problemas de salud que pueden producir hospitalizaciones potenciamente evitables mediante cuidados ambulatorios accesibes y oportunos en el primer nivel de atención. Resultados: Se conformó un panel de 12 expertos. A partir de los datos obtenidos, considerando los 99 diagnósticos clasificados por CIE-10, éstos se pueden subclasificar en función de si la patología es infecciosa o no, obteniendo un resultado general de 62 patologías en un total de 99 que pueden ser clasificadas como infecciosas, lo que se corresponde a un 62 %. Discusión: De la comparación de la lista uruguaya de PSSCA a la que hemos arribado y las listas validadas utilizadas para la construcción inicial del listado de patologías propuesto, podemos decir que la primera presenta un mayor porcentaje de coincidencia con la lista de patologías de Bello Horizonte. Podemos mencionar que la mayoría de los problemas de salud identificados con base en el listado de PSSCA, son sensibles de ser resueltos con la atención primaria oportuna y de calidad que podría evitar o disminuir de una manera significativa su hospitalización. Conclusiones: Este trabajo describe el proceso de construcción y validación de una lista de códigos de PSSCA adaptados al contexto uruguayo a través del método Delphi. Hemos arribado a un listado que comprende un total de 99 diagnósticos, agrupadas en un total de diecinueve categorías que considera la especificidad del contexto uruguayo del indicador.

Introduction: Hospitalizations for Ambulatory Care Sensitive Conditions is an indicator that measures the use of hospital services for health problems that could have been prevented at the first level of care. The concept refers to the processes in which effective outpatient care can help reduce the risks of hospitalization, at a second level of care. The objective of the study was to build and validate a Uruguayan list of health problems sensitive to outpatient care (PSS-CA) according to ICD-10. Methodology: To construct the initial list of PSSCA codes, a review of the existing lists was carried out and an initial list was proposed that was validated through the Delphi Method. A list of 99 PSSCA diagnostic codes adapted to our healthcare environment is proposed. They make it possible to identify and quantify health problems that can lead to potentially avoidable hospitalizations through accessible and timely outpatient care at the first level of care. Results: A panel of 12 experts was formed. From the data obtained, considering the 99 diagnoses classified by ICD-10, these can be subclassified depending on whether the pathology is infectious or not, obtaining a general result of 62 pathologies in a total of 99 that can be classified as infectious, which corresponds to 62%. Discussion: From the comparison of the Uruguayan list of PSSCA that we have arrived at and the validated lists used for the initial construction of the proposed list of pathologies, we can say that the first presents a higher percentage of coincidence with the list of pathologies of Bello Horizonte . We can mention that most of the health problems identified based on the PSSCA list are sensitive to being resolved with timely and quality primary care that could prevent or significantly reduce hospitalization. Conclusions: This work describes the process of construction and validation of a list of PSSCA codes adapted to the Uruguayan context through the Delphi method. We have arrived at a list that includes a total of 99 diagnoses, grouped into a total of nineteen categories that consider the specificity of the Uruguayan context of the indicator.

Introdução: As Internações por Condições Sensíveis à Atenção Ambulatorial são um indicador que mede a utilização de serviços hospitalares para problemas de saúde que poderiam ter sido evitados no primeiro nível de atenção. O conceito refere-se aos processos em que um atendimento ambulatorial eficaz pode auxiliar na redução dos riscos de internação, em um segundo nível de atenção. O objetivo do estudo foi construir e validar uma lista uruguaia de problemas de saúde sensíveis à atenção ambulatorial (PSS-CA) segundo a CID-10. Metodologia: Para construir a lista inicial de códigos PSSCA foi realizada uma revisão das listas existentes e foi proposta uma lista inicial que foi validada através do Método Delphi. É proposta uma lista de 99 códigos de diagnóstico PSSCA adaptados ao nosso ambiente de saúde. Permitem identificar e quantificar problemas de saúde que podem levar a hospitalizações potencialmente evitáveis ​​através de cuidados ambulatórios acessíveis e oportunos no primeiro nível de cuidados. Resultados: Foi formado um painel de 12 especialistas. A partir dos dados obtidos, considerando os 99 diagnósticos classificados pela CID-10, estes podem ser subclassificados consoante a patologia seja infecciosa ou não, obtendo-se um resultado geral de 62 patologias num total de 99 que podem ser classificadas como infecciosas, o que corresponde para 62%. Discussão: A partir da comparação da lista uruguaia de PSSCA a que chegamos e das listas validadas utilizadas para a construção inicial da lista de patologias proposta, podemos dizer que a primeira apresenta um maior percentual de coincidência com a lista de patologias de Belo Horizonte. Podemos mencionar que a maioria dos problemas de saúde identificados com base na lista PSSCA são sensíveis para serem resolvidos com cuidados primários oportunos e de qualidade que possam prevenir ou reduzir significativamente a hospitalização. Conclusões: Este trabalho descreve o processo de construção e validação de uma lista de códigos PSSCA adaptados ao contexto uruguaio através do método Delphi. Chegamos a uma lista que inclui um total de 99 diagnósticos, agrupados em um total de dezenove categorias que consideram a especificidade do contexto uruguaio do indicador.

Cost-effectiveness of prehabilitation of elderly frail or pre-frail patients prior to elective surgery (PRAEP-GO) versus usual care - Protocol for a health economic evaluation alongside a randomized controlled trial.

BACKGROUND: Prehabilitation aims to improve patients' functional capacity before surgery to reduce perioperative complications, promote recovery and decrease probability of disability. The planned economic evaluation is performed alongside a large German multi-centre pragmatic, two-arm parallel-group, randomized controlled trial on prehabilitation for frail elderly patients before elective surgery compared to standard care (PRAEP-GO RCT). The aim is to determine the cost-effectiveness and cost-utility of prehabilitation for frail elderly before an elective surgery. METHODS: The planned health economic evaluation comprises cost-effectiveness, and cost-utility analyses. Analyses are conducted in the German context from different perspectives including the payer perspective, i.e. the statutory health insurance, the societal perspective and the health care provider perspective. Data on outcomes and costs, are collected alongside the ongoing PRAEP-GO RCT. The trial population includes frail or pre-frail patients aged ≥70 years with planned elective surgery. The intervention consists of frailty screening (Fried phenotype), a shared decision-making conference determining modality (physiotherapy and unsupervised physical exercises, nutrition counselling, etc.) and setting (inpatient, day care, outpatient etc.) of a 3-week individual multimodal prehabilitation prior to surgery. The control group receives standard preoperative care. Costs include the intervention costs, the costs of the index hospital stay for surgery, and health care resources consumed during a 12-month follow-up. Clinical effectiveness outcomes included in the economic evaluation are the level of care dependency, the degree of disability as measured by the WHO Disability Assessment Schedule 2.0 (WHODAS 2.0), quality-adjusted life years (QALY) derived from the EQ-5D-5L and the German utility set, and complications occurring during the index hospital stay. Each adopted perspective considers different types of costs and outcomes as outlined in the protocol. All analyses will feature Intention-To-Treat analysis. To explore methodological and parametric uncertainties, we will conduct probabilistic and deterministic sensitivity analyses. Subgroup analyses will be performed as secondary analyses. DISCUSSION: The health economic evaluation will provide insights into the cost-effectiveness of prehabilitation in older frail populations, informing decision-making processes and contributing to the evidence base in this field. Potential limitation includes a highly heterogeneous trial population. TRIAL REGISTRATION: PRAEP-GO RCT: NCT04418271; economic evaluation: OSF ( https://osf.io/ecm74 ).

Impact of the Lightwave Health Information Management Software on the Dimensions of Quality of Healthcare Data.

OBJECTIVES: The use of technology in healthcare to manage patient records, guide diagnosis, and make referrals is termed electronic healthcare. An electronic health record system called Lightwave Health Information Management System (LHIMS) was implemented in 2018 at Cape Coast Teaching Hospital (CCTH). This study evaluated the impact of LHIMS on the quality of healthcare data at CCTH, focusing on the extent to which its use has enhanced the main dimensions of data quality. METHODS: Structured questionnaires were administered to doctors at CCTH to enquire about their opinions about the present state of LHIMS as measured against the parameters of interest in this study, mainly the dimensions of quality healthcare data and the specific issues plaguing the system as reported by respondents. RESULTS: Most doctors found LHIMS convenient to use, mainly because it made access to patient records easier and had to some extent improved the dimensions of quality healthcare data, except for comprehensiveness, at CCTH. Major challenges that impeded the smooth running of the system were erratic power supply, inadequate logistics and technological drive, and poor internet connectivity. CONCLUSIONS: LHIMS must be upgraded to include more decision support systems and additional add-ons such as patients' radiological reports, and laboratory results must be readily available on LHIMS to make patient health data more comprehensive.

Evaluation of the psychometric performance of the Spanish and Catalan versions of the patient reported experiences and Outcomes of Safety in Primary Care (PREOS-PC)-Compact questionnaire.

BACKGROUND: Patients provide a unique, irreplaceable, and essential perspective in evaluating patient safety. The suite of Patient Reported Experiences and Outcomes of Safety in Primary Care (PREOS-PC) tools are a notable exception to the scarcity of patient-reported patient safety measures. Full evaluation of their performance has only been attempted for the English version, thereby limiting its international applicability. OBJECTIVES: To assess the psychometric performance of the Spanish and Catalan versions of the PREOS-PC-Compact. METHODS: Cross-sectional validation study. We used Classical Test Theory methods to examine scale score distribution, internal consistency, and construct validity; and Item Response Theory (IRT) methods to further explore construct validity. RESULTS: 3287 patients completed the Spanish version, and 1007 the Catalan version. Similar results were obtained for both versions. Confirmatory Factor Analysis supported a single construct for each scale. The correlations between PREOS-PC-Compact scales and known group analysis suggested adequate construct validity (inconclusive for known groups at the provider level). All four multi-item scales demonstrated adequate internal consistency reliability (α > 0.7), which was only confirmed for test-retest reliability for 'Practice activation.' A sample between 60-90 patients per practice was estimated sufficient to produce scores with reliability > 0.7 for all scales except for harm scales. IRT models showed disordered thresholds for 'Practice activation' and 'Harm burden' but showed excellent fit after reducing the response categories. CONCLUSION: The Spanish and Catalan versions of the PREOS-PC-Compact are broadly valid and reliable tools to measure patient safety in Spanish primary care centres; confirmation of lower-than-expected test-rest reliability merits further examination .

Excellent agreement of Norwegian trauma registry data compared to corresponding data in electronic patient records.

BACKGROUND: The Norwegian Trauma Registry (NTR) is designed to monitor and improve the quality and outcome of trauma care delivered by Norwegian trauma hospitals. Patient care is evaluated through specific quality indicators, which are constructed of variables reported to the registry by certified registrars. Having high-quality data recorded in the registry is essential for the validity, trust and use of data. This study aims to perform a data quality check of a subset of core data elements in the registry by assessing agreement between data in the NTR and corresponding data in electronic patient records (EPRs). METHODS: We validated 49 of the 118 variables registered in the NTR by comparing those with the corresponding ones in electronic patient records for 180 patients with a trauma diagnosis admitted in 2019 at eight public hospitals. Agreement was quantified by calculating observed agreement, Cohen's Kappa and Gwet's first agreement coefficient (AC1) with 95% confidence intervals (CIs) for 27 nominal variables, quadratic weighted Cohen's Kappa and Gwet's second agreement coefficient (AC2) for five ordinal variables. For nine continuous, one date and seven time variables, we calculated intraclass correlation coefficient (ICC). RESULTS: Almost perfect agreement (AC1 /AC2/ ICC > 0.80) was observed for all examined variables. Nominal and ordinal variables showed Gwet's agreement coefficients ranging from 0.85 (95% CI: 0.79-0.91) to 1.00 (95% CI: 1.00-1.00). For continuous and time variables there were detected high values of intraclass correlation coefficients (ICC) between 0.88 (95% CI: 0.83-0.91) and 1.00 (CI 95%: 1.00-1.00). While missing values in both the NTR and EPRs were in general negligeable, we found a substantial amount of missing registrations for a continuous "Base excess" in the NTR. For some of the time variables missing values both in the NTR and EPRs were high. CONCLUSION: All tested variables in the Norwegian Trauma Registry displayed excellent agreement with the corresponding variables in electronic patient records. Variables in the registry that showed missing data need further examination.

Identifying thresholds for clinically meaningful change among clients of drug and alcohol services using the Australian Treatment Outcomes Profile.

AIMS: The Austraian Treatment Outcomes Profile (ATOP) is a brief clinical outcomes tool used widely in the Australian alcohol and other drugs treatment sector to monitor clients' substance use, health, wellbeing and clinical risk factors. It has demonstrated reliability and validity, and has recommended clinical cut-offs for assessing single-occasion client-rated health scores. This study determined clinically meaningful change thresholds for ATOP substance use and health and wellbeing variables for use by clinicians in monitoring client progress, and for quality improvement and service evaluation. DESIGN, SETTING AND PARTICIPANTS: A framework for assessing clinically meaningful changes scores was developed by (1) calculating statistically reliable change thresholds using data-driven techniques with a reference sample of clinical ATOP data and (2) conducting a multi-disciplinary subject matter expert group to review the utility and validity of data-derived clinically meaningful change. The study was conducted within Outpatient Alcohol and Other Drug treatment services in New South Wales, Australia. The reference sample comprised 6100 ATOPs from clients at entry to public outpatient Alcohol and Other Drug treatment services; the subject matter expert group comprised 29 key stakeholders from the specialist alcohol and other drug treatment sector. MEASUREMENTS AND FINDINGS: We used the Reliable Change Index method to calculate clinically meaningful change thresholds for ATOP variables. For substance use variables, a change of 30% in days of use in the last 28 (minimum 4 days) was the threshold for clinically meaningful change for substance use; for health and wellbeing variables, a change of 2 or more points in psychological health, physical health or quality of life scores (measured on 0-10 scales) was the minimum clinically meaningful change. CONCLUSIONS: Clinically meaningful change thresholds have been proposed for Australian Treatment Outcomes Profile substance use and health and wellbeing items, based on statistical reliability and subject matter expert assessment. These will be used in the development of an outcomes metric for assessing change and assigning meaning in aggregated data for evaluation of services.

[Clinical trials as a central part of patient-centered clinical research]. / Klinische Studien als zentraler Bestandteil patientenorientierter Forschung.

As the continuation and implementation of findings from basic (pre­)clinical research, clinical trials make a significant contribution to medical research. They form the central building block of translational medicine and thus make a decisive contribution to bringing medical knowledge into general care. This helps to make possible a healthcare system that is aligned to the needs of patients and functions efficiently in the long term. Based on the specific objective, clinical trials must comply with national, but increasingly also with European and international regulatory requirements. In academia in particular, expertise in a variety of fields is required in order to make investigator-driven clinical trials a success. This expertise can be provided by a clinical trial center based within the institution conducting the trial.

Rates of reoperation after breast conserving cancer surgery in Western Australia before and after publication of the SSO-ASTRO margins guideline.

BACKGROUND: A 2014 SSO-ASTRO guideline on surgical margins aimed to reduce unnecessary reoperation after breast conserving surgery (BCS). We investigate whether publication of the guideline was associated with a reduction in reoperation in Western Australia (WA). METHODS: In this retrospective, population-based cohort study, cases of newly-diagnosed breast cancer were identified from the WA Cancer Registry. Linkage to the Hospital Morbidity Data Collection identified index BCS for invasive cancer between January 2009 and June 2018 (N = 8059) and reoperation within 90 days. Pre-guideline (2009-2013) and post-guideline (2014-2018) reoperation proportions were compared, and temporal trends were estimated with generalised linear regression. RESULTS: The pre-guideline reoperation proportion was 25.8% compared with 21.7% post-guideline (difference -4.0% [95% CI -5.9, -2.2, p < 0.001], odds ratio [OR] 0.80 [95% CI 0.72, 0.89, p < 0.001]). Absolute reductions were similar for repeat BCS (16.3% versus 14.6%; difference -1.8% [95% CI -3.4, -0.2, p = 0.03]) and conversion to mastectomy (9.4% versus 7.2%; difference -2.2% [95% CI -3.4, -1.0, p < 0.001]). Over the study period, there was an annual absolute change in reoperation of -0.8% (95% CI -1.2, -0.5, p < 0.001). Accounting for this linear trend, the difference in reoperation between time periods was -0.5% (95% CI -4.3, 3.3; p = 0.81), reflecting a non-significant reduction in conversion to mastectomy. CONCLUSIONS: Comparisons of pre- versus post-guideline time periods in WA showed reductions in reoperation that were similar to international estimates; however, an annual decline in reoperation predated the guideline. Analyses that do not account for temporal trends are likely to overestimate changes in reoperation associated with the guideline.

[Posttherapeutic quality of life after treatment of salivary gland cancer]. / Posttherapeutische Lebensqualität nach Behandlung von Speicheldrüsenkarzinomen.

BACKGROUND: In addition to overall survival and recurrence-free interval, posttherapeutic quality of life has been established as an independent criterion for treatment evaluation. Thereby, both the specific changes in the head and neck region and their objectification represent a particular challenge for the assessment of quality of life. There are different validated questionnaires available. OBJECTIVE: Based on the literature, an overview of the relevant questionnaire instruments is given and the specific aspects in patients with salivary gland cancer are presented. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A selective literature search was conducted to collect publications dealing with the assessment of health-related quality of life in head and neck tumor patients. The papers were critically appraised and summarized. RESULTS: There are some validated questionnaires available to measure quality of life in patients with head and neck tumors as well as a few specific questionnaires for patients after parotidectomy. CONCLUSION: By assessing quality of life using standardized questionnaire instruments, disease and treatment consequences can be objectified. Thus, the need for supportive measures, e.g., for rehabilitation in facial nerve palsy, can be identified more reliably.

A comparison of prospective observations and chart audits for measuring quality of care of musculoskeletal injuries in the emergency department.

BACKGROUND: Accurate and efficient data collection is crucial for effective evaluation of quality of care. The objective of this study is to compare two methods of data collection used to score quality indicators for musculoskeletal injury management in Emergency departments: prospective observation, and chart audit. METHODS: An analysis was undertaken of data collected from 633 patients who presented with a musculoskeletal injury to eight emergency departments in Queensland, Australia in 2016-17. Twenty-two quality indicators were scored using both prospective observation and chart audit data for each occasion of service. Quality indicators were included if they were originally published with both collection methods. Analyses were performed to compare firstly, the quality indicator denominators, and secondly, the quality indicator trigger rates, scored using each collection method. Chi Square statistics were used to identify significant differences. RESULTS: Prospectively collected data scored quality indicator denominators significantly (p value<0.05) more often than chart audit data for five (22.7 %) of the 22 quality indicators. The remaining 17 quality indicators (77.3 %) showed no statistical differences. When comparing quality indicator trigger rates, 16 (72.7 %) had significantly different results between methods with 12 (54.5 %) scoring higher using prospective data and four (18.2 %) with chart audit data. The remaining six quality indicators (27.3 %) in this comparison showed no significant difference between chart and prospective data. CONCLUSION: Quality indicators including aspects of care associated with patient safety, and those relying on clinician written orders or forms were adequately scored using either prospective observation or chart audit data. Whereas quality indicators relying on time-sensitive information, elements of a social history, general physical exams and patient education and advice scored higher using prospective observation data collection.

[Clinical trials as a central part of patient-centered clinical research]. / Klinische Studien als zentraler Bestandteil patientenorientierter Forschung.

As the continuation and implementation of findings from basic (pre-)clinical research, clinical trials make a significant contribution to medical research. They form the central building block of translational medicine and thus make a decisive contribution to bringing medical knowledge into general care. This helps to make possible a healthcare system that is aligned to the needs of patients and functions efficiently in the long term. Based on the specific objective, clinical trials must comply with national, but increasingly also with European and international regulatory requirements. In academia in particular, expertise in a variety of fields is required in order to make investigator-driven clinical trials a success. This expertise can be provided by a clinical trial center based within the institution conducting the trial.

Primary Health Care assessment in the COVID-19 pandemic from physicians' and nurses' perspective / Evaluación de la Atención Primaria de Salud en la pandemia de COVID-19 desde la perspectiva de médicos y enfermeras / Avaliação da atenção primária à saúde na pandemia COVID-19 na perspectiva de médicos e enfermeiros

ABSTRACT Objectives: to assess the operationalization of Primary Health Care in the COVID-19 pandemic, according to Primary Care Assessment Tool: PCATool-Brasil attributes, from physicians' and nurses' perspective. Methods: a cross-sectional study, carried out with 99 physicians and nurses from Basic Health Units in a state in northeastern Brazil, with the aid of the adapted instrument PCATool-Brasil. Results: Essential Score was classified as high performance (6.6) and General Score as low performance (6.5). First Contact Access, Care Integration, and Community Guidance scores were <6.6. The best performances were attributed to the Longitudinality, Comprehensiveness and Family Guidance services (scores>6.6). Conclusions: the attributes of Primary Health Care, in general, showed values above or close to the cut-off point in the assessment. These data can support strategies for local and national managers to strengthen Primary Health Care in the COVID-19 pandemic and future public health emergencies.

RESUMEN Objetivos: evaluar la operacionalización de la Atención Primaria de Salud en la pandemia de la COVID-19, según los atributos del Instrumento de Evaluación de la Atención Primaria: PCATool-Brasil, en la perspectiva de médicos y enfermeros. Métodos: estudo transversal, realizado com 99 médicos e enfermeiros de Unidades Básicas de Saúde de um estado do Nordeste do Brasil, com auxílio do instrumento adaptado PCATool-Brasil. Resultados: Escore Essencial foi classificado como alto desempenho (6,6), e Escore Geral, como baixo desempenho (6,5). Las puntuaciones de acceso al primer contacto, integración de la atención y orientación comunitaria fueron <6,6. Los mejores desempeños fueron atribuidos a los servicios de Longitudinalidad, Integralidad y Orientación Familiar (puntuaciones > 6,6). Conclusiones: los atributos de la Atención Primaria de Salud, en general, presentaron valores superiores o cercanos al punto de corte en la evaluación. Estos datos pueden respaldar estrategias para que los administradores locales y nacionales fortalezcan la Atención Primaria de Salud en la pandemia de COVID-19 y futuras emergencias de salud pública.

RESUMO Objetivos: avaliar a operacionalização da Atenção Primária à Saúde na pandemia de COVID-19, segundo os atributos do Primary Care Assessment Tool: PCATool-Brasil, na perspectiva de médicos e enfermeiros. Métodos: estudo transversal, realizado com 99 médicos e enfermeiros de Unidades Básica de Saúde de um estado do Nordeste do Brasil, com auxílio do instrumento adaptado PCATool-Brasil. Resultados: Escore Essencial foi classificado como alto desempenho (6,6), e Escore Geral, como baixo desempenho (6,5). Os escores de Acesso de Primeiro Contato, Integração do Cuidado e Orientação Comunitária foram <6,6. Os melhores desempenhos foram atribuídos aos serviços Longitudinalidade, Integralidade e Orientação Familiar (escores > 6,6). Conclusões: os atributos da Atenção Primária à Saúde, em geral, apresentaram valores superiores ou próximos ao ponto de corte na avaliação. Esses dados podem subsidiar estratégias de gestores locais e nacionais para o fortalecimento da Atenção Primária à Saúde na pandemia de COVID-19 e futuras emergências de saúde pública.

Avaliação da qualidade da assistência à saúde oftalmológica na percepção dos usuários / Evaluation of the quality of ophthalmic health care according to the perception of users

RESUMO Objetivo Avaliar e caracterizar a qualidade da assistência oftalmológica ofertada em uma unidade de serviços ambulatoriais da Atenção Secundária do Sistema Único de Saúde na percepção dos usuários e/ou dos responsáveis por esses usuários. Métodos Foi realizado estudo seccional de prevalência analítica entre usuários assistidos no período de setembro de 2019 a março de 2020 em um dos seis serviços de assistência oftalmológica ofertado pelo Sistema Único de Saúde, no município de Vitória da Conquista (BA). Foram avaliadas as condições demográficas e socioeconômicas e a autopercepção da saúde. Também foram avaliadas as características e os níveis de qualidade da assistência à saúde oftalmológica. A coleta das informações ocorreu por meio de entrevista telefônica. Resultados Participaram do estudo 389 usuários e/ou responsáveis. Observaram-se elevados níveis de satisfação, considerando as perguntas que compõem o constructo do instrumento. Identificaram-se níveis de qualidade comprometidos em relação à liberdade de escolher seu prestador de cuidado ocular (154; 39,7%). Menores níveis de satisfação associaram-se com as variáveis sexo masculino (razão de chance de 1,66; IC95% 1,04-2,65; p=0,033) e raça autodeclada branca (razão de chance de 6,89; IC95% 4,00-11,86; p=0,000). Conclusão Os usuários relataram bons níveis de satisfação da assistência à saúde oftalmológica. Observaram-se maiores chances de menores níveis de satisfação entre homens e aqueles com raça autodeclarada branca.

ABSTRACT Objective To evaluate and characterize the quality of ophthalmic care offered in an outpatient service unit of the SUS secondary care according to the perception of users and/or those responsible for these users. Methods A cross-sectional study of analytical prevalence was carried out among users assisted from September 2019 to March 2020, in one of the six ophthalmic care services offered by the SUS, in the municipality of Vitória da Conquista (BA), Brazil. Demographic and socioeconomic conditions, as well as self-perception of health, were evaluated. The characteristics and quality levels of ophthalmic health care were also evaluated. Data collection took place through a telephone interview. Results A total of 389 users and/or guardians participated in the study. Participants reported high levels of satisfaction, considering the questions that make up the instrument's construct. Compromised quality levels were observed in relation to the freedom to choose their eye care provider (n=154; 39.7%). Lower levels of satisfaction were associated with the variables male gender (OR=1.66; 95%CI=1.04-2.65; p=0.033) and self-reported white race (OR=6.89; 95%CI=4, 00-11.86; p=0.000). Conclusion Users reported good levels of satisfaction with eye health care. There were greater chances of lower levels of satisfaction among men and among those with a self-reported white race.

Impact of the primary care residents on the productivity of the ambulatory health centres in Portugal: a cross-sectional study.

BACKGROUND: The presence of residents in Primary Care health centres may influence their operational results. AIM: To examine the relationship between the presence of residents and the results of the evaluation in Portuguese Primary Care Health Centres. METHODS: We conduct a cross-sectional study, comparing the results achieved by the mainland Portuguese Primary Care Health Centres measured by the Global Performance Index (Índice de desempenho global - IDG) by the presence of General & Family Medicine residents in training. Analysis took into consideration the distribution by region and typology of the health centres. RESULTS: We evaluated 906 units, 55.7% involved in the training of General & Family Medicine residence. The presence of residents was associated with higher Global Performance Index values (77.3 vs 57.6; p < 0.001). The higher difference was found in the less developed Personalized Health Care Units and in the region of Lisbon and Tagus Valley. CONCLUSION: The presence of residents in training is a contributing factor in the productivity of the Primary Health Care facilities. It may model the asymmetry in the performance of Portuguese Health Centres.

[Measuring comprehensiveness of care using the Primary Care Assessment Tool: systematic reviewEvaluación de la integralidad en la atención primaria de salud por medio de la herramienta de evaluación de la atención primaria: revisión sistemática]. / Avaliação da integralidade na atenção primária à saúde através da Primary Care Assessment Tool: revisão sistemática.

OBJECTIVE: To assess the comprehensiveness of primary healthcare (PHC) in different countries. METHOD: PubMed, Virtual Health Library (BVS), and Scopus were systematically searched. Observational studies published from 2017 to 2019, using the Adult Primary Care Assessment Tool (PCAT) to assess comprehensiveness were included without limits regarding language of publication or country. The quality of studies was assessed using the Newcastle-Ottawa scale (NOS). RESULTS: Of 124 articles initially selected, 13 were included: four from China, two from Japan, and two from Vietnam; considering the Americas, all four studies were performed in Brazil. Only one study from Africa, performed in Malawi, was included. The quality of studies according to the NOS was acceptable. Considering the availability of services, eight facilities had low comprehensiveness, vs. five with high comprehensiveness. Considering the services performed at the facility, nine had low comprehensiveness, and only four had high comprehensiveness. CONCLUSION: The low degree of PHC orientation in terms of comprehensiveness in terms of both services performed and services provided may reflect a lack of understanding of the demands of users, and indicates the need for concrete action to strengthen PHC as the basis of healthcare systems.

OBJETIVO: Evaluar la integralidad en la atención primaria de salud en distintos países. MÉTODOS: Se realizó una revisión sistemática en las bases de datos de PubMed, la Biblioteca Virtual de Salud y Scopus. Se seleccionaron estudios observacionales publicados en el período del 2017 al 2019, sin restricciones de idioma ni país, en los cuales se evaluara la integralidad en la atención primaria de salud por medio de la herramienta de evaluación de la atención primaria de salud (Primary Care Assessment Tool o PCATool), en su versión para adultos. La calidad de los estudios se determinó con la escala de Newcastle-Ottawa. RESULTADOS: En el estudio se incluyeron 13 de los 124 artículos seleccionados inicialmente, a saber, cuatro de China, dos de Japón y cuatro de Vietnam; además de cuatro estudios del continente americano realizados en Brasil y un único estudio correspondiente a África hecho en Malawi. La calidad de los estudios determinada con la escala de Newcastle-Ottawa fue satisfactoria. En la evaluación de la integralidad en cuanto a la disponibilidad de los servicios se clasificaron ocho lugares con un grado bajo y cinco con un grado alto de orientación hacia la atención primaria de salud. En lo que respecta a los servicios prestados, nueve lugares se clasificaron con un grado bajo y cuatro con un grado alto de orientación hacia la atención primaria de salud. CONCLUSIÓN: El grado bajo de orientación hacia la atención primaria de salud en cuanto a la integralidad de los servicios disponibles y prestados puede interpretarse como una falta de comprensión de las demandas reales de los usuarios, lo cual exige una acción concreta para fortalecer la atención primaria de salud como base de los sistemas de salud.

User satisfaction with Dental Specialty Centers in Brazil: Proposal of satisfaction index and associated factors.

OBJECTIVES: To investigate the satisfaction of users of Dental Specialty Centers (CEO) in Brazil employing the Service Satisfaction Index (SSI) and identify associated factors. METHODS: This quantitative, evaluative, and cross-sectional study used secondary data extracted from the Second External Evaluation of the Program for the Improvement of Access and Quality of Brazilian Dental Specialty Centers (PMAQ-CEO) held in 2018 in 901 municipalities, accounting for 1097 CEO, of which 1042 were investigated. A total of 10391 users participated in the study. Considering user satisfaction as an aggregate variable, SSI was classified into two categories: Lower Satisfaction (SSI < 20) and Maximum Satisfaction (SSI = 20). Data were analyzed by descriptive and inferential statistics using the SPSS® software. The exploratory factor analysis verified the statistical correlations between attributes and SSI. RESULTS: The maximum satisfaction with the service was 21.1%; factors that expressed the most significant influence on SSI were waiting time (OR = 1.17; CI 95%: 1.05-1.31), feeling that CEO has good conditions of use (OR = 7.05; CI 95%: 5.15-9.65), not wishing to be assisted at another CEO (OR = 4.17; CI 95%: 3.12-5.57), not having treatment interrupted due to lack of material (OR = 2.05; CI 95%: 1.70-2.47), age up to 40 years of users (OR = 1.31; CI 95%: 1.18-1.46) and higher education (OR = 1.30; CI 95%: 1.14-1.49). CONCLUSIONS: SSI appropriately described the user's satisfaction with the service. The maximum satisfaction with the service was influenced by age, education, waiting time, not having treatment interrupted, and considering CEO clean and hygienic environment.

Role of management and human resource factors on matrix support in secondary oral health care in Brazil.

OBJECTIVES: To investigate the association between health management and human resource factors on matrix support (MS) in a nationally representative sample of Dental Specialty Centres (DSCs) in Brazil. METHODS: This survey included 1042 DSCs (Response rate = 94.99%) in the second cycle of the National Program for the Improvement of the Quality and Access to the Dental Specialty Centres (PMAQ-CEO, in Portuguese) in 2018. Previously trained interviewers extracted information on MS, health management and human resources of the DSC by using a structured instrument. An MS score was created by adding the number of positive answers to the 10 MS questions. Negative binomial regression models were used to estimate the unadjusted and adjusted rate ratios (RR) and corresponding 95% confidence interval (CI). RESULTS: Of all the DSCs (n = 1042), 116 (11.1%) performed all 10 MS procedures. Those DSCs with a manager who had a higher education degree in the area of Public Health or Public Management (RR = 1.01, 95% CI, 1.01-1.02) and with human resources that received incentives, bonuses or financial awards for performance related to the PMAQ-CEO result (RR = 1.01 95% CI 1.01-1.02) are more likely to perform MS, when compared to the reference categories. The DSCs that are more likely to perform MS include those that developed actions as a result of periodic planning and evaluation with confirmatory documentation (RR = 1.06, 95% CI; 1.01-1.10); those that received support for planning and organizing the work scheme (RR = 1.03, 95% CI; 1.01-1.05); those that monitored and analysed the goals set for each specialty offered at the DSC, with (RR = 1.06, 95% CI; 1.01-1.10) or without confirmatory documentation (RR = 1.06, 95%CI; 1.02-1.11); those whose team periodically performed self-assessment processes, using the Ministry of Health's formal self-assessment (AMAQ in Portuguese) (RR = 1.04, 95% CI; 1.02-1.05); those who followed clinical guidelines (with confirmatory documentation) regarding the referral of patients from primary care to the DSC (RR = 1.02, 95% CI; 1.01-1.04). On the contrary, DSCs that did not use the results achieved in previous PMAQ cycles in the organization of the DSC's team work scheme proved to be less likely to perform MS (RR = 0.98, 95% CI; 0.96-0.99). CONCLUSIONS: Matrix support is associated with human resources and management factors in secondary oral health care in Brazil. Continuing professional development and some management characteristics are important for secondary dental care quality and could be considered in health policy initiatives.

Qualificação em Medicina de Família e Comunidade e orientação comunitária da Estratégia Saúde da Família / Association between the qualification in Family and Community Medicine and the community orientation of the Family Health Strategy

Resumo: Introdução: A orientação comunitária apresenta, em estudos de avaliação dos atributos da atenção primária à saúde, baixa performance entre os usuários. Questiona-se, em especial, se a qualificação profissional em Medicina de Família e Comunidade (MFC) contribui para a otimização desse desempenho. Objetivo: Este estudo teve como objetivo verificar a associação entre qualificação profissional em MFC e o grau de orientação comunitária na perspectiva dos profissionais médicos atuantes na Estratégia Saúde da Família de Belo Horizonte. Método: Trata-se de estudo censitário que reuniu médicos de todas as regionais de Belo Horizonte. Variáveis sociodemográficas relativas à formação acadêmica e à situação ocupacional foram obtidas por meio de questionário. Utilizou-se o instrumento PCATool-Brasil para medir o desempenho do atributo. Resultado: A comparação entre desempenho do escore orientação comunitária e variáveis independentes foi feita pelo teste qui-quadrado, com correção de Fischer. O escore médio foi de 7,9 (DP ±1,2). Nenhuma variável independente foi associada com a orientação comunitária satisfatória. Houve correlação entre tempo de conclusão da residência médica em MFC e alto escore para orientação comunitária. Conclusão: A qualificação em MFC não determina, por si só, um alto grau de orientação comunitária. O maior tempo de formação em MFC na modalidade residência médica correlacionou-se com maior desempenho desse atributo derivado.

Abstract: Introduction: In studies evaluating the attributes of Primary Health Care, Community Orientation has shown weak performance among users. In particular, questions remain over whether professional qualification in Family Practice (FP) helps optimize this performance. Purpose: verify the association between professional qualification in FP and the degree of Community Orientation from the perspective of medical professionals working in the Family Health Strategy of Belo Horizonte. Methods: This census study was applied to doctors in Belo Horizonte. Sociodemographic variables related to academic training and occupational status were obtained through a questionnaire. The PCATool-Brasil was used to measure the performance of this attribute. Result: The comparison between the performance of the Community Orientation score and independent variables was made using the chi-square test, with Fischer correction. The average score was 7.9 (SD ± 1.2). No independent variable was associated with a satisfactory level of Community Orientation. There was a correlation between time of completion of medical residency in FP and a high Community Orientation score. Conclusion: Qualification in FP does not itself determine a high degree of Community Orientation. Longer training in FP medical residency was correlated to better performance of this derived attribute.

Construction of evaluation indicator system for promoting common prosperity of health care in Zhejiang province / 中华医院管理杂志

Objective:To establish a set of scientific and reasonable indicator system of common prosperity in the field of health, so as to promote the construction and evaluation of the demonstration area of common prosperity with high quality of health.Methods:According to the requirements of promoting common prosperity demonstration area with high quality of health in Zhejiang province, the initial indicator pool was established through literature research and theoretical analysis in July 2021, and experts were convened to carry out expert brainstorming to determine indicator system in the form of meetings. Delphi method was used to conduct two rounds of expert consultation on the indicator system.Finally, the analytic hierarchy process and percentage weight method were used to calculate the indicator weight value.Results:The final indicator system included 4 first-level indicators and 30 second-level indicators. Among the first-level indicators, the weight values of the development, equilibrium, inclusiveness, and sustainability were 0.326 4, 0.242 8, 0.245 8, and 0.185 0. There were 8 second-level indicators in developmental indicator dimension, of which the indicator with the highest weight was the per capita health expectancy. The balance indicator dimension included 6 second-level indicators, of which the indicator with the highest weight was the per capita financing difference of basic medical insurance between the urban workers with the urban-rural residents. The inclusive indicator dimension included 6 second-level indicators, and the proportion of personal health expenditure to total health expenditure had the highest weight. The sustainability indicator dimension included 10 second-level indicators, and the proportion of government health expenditure in fiscal expenditure had the highest weight.Conclusions:The indicator system constructed in this research could provide certain guidance and reference for promoting the construction of common prosperity in health, and provide some reference for follow-up research in this field.

Performance evaluation and ranking of regional primary health care and public health Systems in Iran.

BACKGROUND: The present study has been undertaken with the aim to evaluate performance and ranking of various universities of medical sciences that are responsible for providing public health services and primary health care in Iran. METHODS: Four models; Weighted Factor Analysis (WFA), Equal Weighting (EW), Stochastic Frontier Analysis (SFA), and Data Envelopment Analysis (DEA) have been applied for evaluating the performance of universities of medical sciences. This study was commenced based on the statistical reports of the Ministry of Health and Medical Education (MOHME), census data from the Statistical Center of Iran, indicators of Vital Statistics, results of Multiple Indicator of Demographic and Health Survey 2010, and results of the National Survey of Risk Factors of non-communicable diseases. RESULTS: The average performance scores in WFA, EW, SFA, and DEA methods for the universities were 0.611, 0.663, 0.736 and 0.838, respectively. In all 4 models, the performance scores of universities were different (range from 0.56-1, 0.53-1, 0.73-1 and 0.83-1 in WFA, EW, SFA and DEA models, respectively). Gilan and Rafsanjan universities with the average ranking score of 4.75 and 41 had the highest and lowest rank among universities, respectively. The universities of Gilan, Ardabil and Bojnourd in all four models had the highest performance among the top 15 universities, while the universities of Rafsanjan, Ahvaz, Kerman and Jiroft showed poor performance in all models. CONCLUSIONS: The average performance scores have varied based on different measurement methods, so judging the performance of universities based solely on the results of a model can be misleading. In all models, the performance of universities has been different, which indicates the need for planning to balance the performance improvement of universities based on learning from the experiences of well-performing universities.