A Local Health Situation Room for COVID-19: Recommendations for Decision-Making From a Higher Education Institution in Mexico.

Introduction: The Situation Room is a physical or virtual space where experts systematically analyze information to characterize a health situation, especially during emergencies. Decision-making processes are made toward solving health needs and promoting collaboration among institutions and social sectors. This paper presents the context and circumstances that led the University of Guadalajara (UdeG) to install a local health situation room (HSR) to address the COVID-19 pandemic at this institution based in the state of Jalisco, Mexico, a narrative is also made of its working processes and some of its results. Methods: The design of this situation room for COVID-19 was based on the methodology established by the Pan American Health Organization (PAHO)/WHO. This local-type situation room was installed on February 12, 2020. The health problem was characterized, and strategic lines, objectives, and goals were established; the first analysis was derived from an action plan deployed at the UdeG. The strategic lines were situational diagnosis, preventive actions, and containment strategies. Results: The situation room influenced the activities of the UdeG before the epidemic cases started in the state. One of the actions with the greatest impact was developing a mathematical model for predicting COVID-19 cases. Subsequently, new models have been developed according to the epidemiological evolution of the disease, helping manage the epidemic in the state. Another important result was the early closing of face-to-face university activities, reducing contagion risks and the mobility of more than 310,000 students, faculty, and administrative personnel throughout Jalisco. Conclusions: A consequence of the closure was that the confinement generated by the pandemic was the change to virtual meetings from April 2020 to date; but at the same time, this working format was a strength, since it influenced the decision of the university board to change all the academic activities to virtual format before other educational, economic, and social activities in the state did. By April 2020, the situation room transcended its institutional boundaries and was invited to participate at the Jalisco State's Health Committee. Its recommendations have helped to maintain the state with one of Mexico's lowest COVID-19 incidence and mortality rates.

Dimensiones culturales del concepto pie diabético en personas con diabetes mellitus y en estudiantes de medicina mexicanos / Cultural Dimensions of the Diabetic Foot Concept in People with Diabetes Mellitus and in Mexican Medical Students

RESUMEN Objetivo: Analizar las dimensiones culturales del concepto pie diabético en personas con diabetes mellitus y en estudiantes de medicina. Material y métodos: Estudio descriptivo exploratorio con base en los fundamentos de la antropología cognitiva y la teoría del consenso cultural. Participaron 40 personas (20 personas con diabetes y 20 estudiantes de medicina de séptimo semestre). El estudio se realizó en Guadalajara (México), en un hospital de segundo nivel, en los primeros tres meses de 2019. Se utilizaron listados libres y pile sort para identificar el contenido y la organización de las dimensiones. En el caso de los valores agregados, las matrices fueron analizadas mediante conglomerados jerárquicos. En el caso de los valores individuales, las matrices fueron analizadas mediante un modelo de consenso cultural. Resultados: Para las personas con diabetes, el concepto de pie diabético se conformó por las dimensiones de consecuencias y prevención. Para los estudiantes de medicina, el concepto de pie diabético se conformó por las dimensiones consecuencias y complicaciones. Se encontró consenso cultural en ambos grupos (Razón F1:F2, personas con diabetes: 3.14; estudiantes de medicina: 6.73). Las dimensiones tuvieron valores de ajuste adecuados: stress 0.21 en las personas con diabetes y 0.13 en los estudiantes. Conclusiones: Gracias a los resultados y acercamiento hacia ambos grupos, se pudieron reconocer elementos claves para la futura aplicación de programas de prevención para la salud, y una atención más integral para las personas con diabetes mellitus.

ABSTRACT Objective: Analyze the cultural dimensions of the diabetic foot concept in people with diabetes mellitus and in medical students. Material and Methods: Exploratory descriptive study based on the foundations of cognitive anthropology and the theory of cultural consensus. Forty people participated (20 people with diabetes and 20 medical students in the seventh semester). The study was conducted in Guadalajara, Mexico, in a second level hospital, in the first three months of the year 2019. Free lists and pile sort were used to identify the content and the organization of the dimensions. In the case of the aggregated values, hierarchical conglomerates analyzed the matrices. In the case of individual values, the matrices were analyzed using a cultural consensus model. Results: People with diabetes mellitus conformed the concept of diabetic foot by the dimensions of consequences and complications, whereas the medical students conformed the concept by the dimensions of consequences and complications. The cultural consensus was found in both groups with the following reasons F1:F2, people with diabetes: 3.14; medical students: 6.73. The dimensions had adequate values with the stress of 0.21 for the people with diabetes, and of 0.13 for the medical students. Conclusions: Gratefully, these results and the approach towards these two groups' key elements could be found for a future application of programs of health prevention and deeper and integral treatment process for the people with diabetes mellitus.