Properties of a short questionnaire for assessing Primary Care experiences for children in a population survey

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>The Primary Care Assessment Tool (PCAT) is an interesting set of tools for primary care research. A very short version could inform policy makers about consumer experiences with primary care (PC) through health surveys. This work aimed to investigate the validity and reliability of a selection of items from the child short edition (CS) of the PCAT.</p> <p>Methods</p> <p>A 24 item questionnaire permitted the identification of a regular source of care and the assessment of the key attributes of first contact, ongoing care over time, coordination, services available and services received (comprehensiveness), and cultural competence. Structural validity, reliability, and construct validity were assessed using responses from 2,200 parents of a representative sample of the population aged 0 to 14 years in Catalonia (Spain) who participated in the 2006 Health Survey. Structural validity was analyzed using exploratory and confirmatory factor analyses and reliability was assessed using Cronbach's alpha. Construct validity was assessed using linear regression analysis between PC experience scores and a measure of overall user satisfaction with healthcare services.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>A total of 2,095 (95.2%) parents provided useable responses on PC. After Confirmatory Factor Analysis (CFA), the best fitting model was a 5-factor model in which the original dimensions of first contact and ongoing care were collapsed into one. The CFA also showed a second order factor onto which all domains except services available loaded (root mean square error of approximation = 0.000; comparative fit index = 1.00). Cronbach's alpha values for one of the original scales (first-contact) was poor (alpha < 0.50), but improved using the modified factor structure (alpha > 0.70). Scores on the scales were correlated with satisfaction with healthcare services (p < 0.01), thereby providing some preliminary evidence of construct validity.</p> <p>Conclusions</p> <p>This very short questionnaire obtained from the PCAT-CE yields information about five attributes of PC and a summary score. It has shown evidence of validity and reliability for judgments about experiences with primary care overall. If space on surveys is at a premium, the instrument could be useful as a measure of PC experiences.</p

Inequalities in mortality of men by oral and pharyngeal cancer in Barcelona, Spain and São Paulo, Brazil, 1995–2003

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>Large inequalities of mortality by most cancers in general, by mouth and pharynx cancer in particular, have been associated to behaviour and geopolitical factors. The assessment of socioeconomic covariates of cancer mortality may be relevant to a full comprehension of distal determinants of the disease, and to appraise opportune interventions. The objective of this study was to compare socioeconomic inequalities in male mortality by oral and pharyngeal cancer in two major cities of Europe and South America.</p> <p>Methods</p> <p>The official system of information on mortality provided data on deaths in each city; general censuses informed population data. Age-adjusted death rates by oral and pharyngeal cancer for men were independently assessed for neighbourhoods of Barcelona, Spain, and São Paulo, Brazil, from 1995 to 2003. Uniform methodological criteria instructed the comparative assessment of magnitude, trends and spatial distribution of mortality. General linear models assessed ecologic correlations between death rates and socioeconomic indices (unemployment, schooling levels and the human development index) at the inner-city area level. Results obtained for each city were subsequently compared.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>Mortality of men by oral and pharyngeal cancer ranked higher in Barcelona (9.45 yearly deaths per 100,000 male inhabitants) than in Spain and Europe as a whole; rates were on decrease. São Paulo presented a poorer profile, with higher magnitude (11.86) and stationary trend. The appraisal of ecologic correlations indicated an unequal and inequitably distributed burden of disease in both cities, with poorer areas tending to present higher mortality. Barcelona had a larger gradient of mortality than São Paulo, indicating a higher inequality of cancer deaths across its neighbourhoods.</p> <p>Conclusion</p> <p>The quantitative monitoring of inequalities in health may contribute to the formulation of redistributive policies aimed at the concurrent promotion of wellbeing and social justice. The assessment of groups experiencing a higher burden of disease can instruct health services to provide additional resources for expanding preventive actions and facilities aimed at early diagnosis, standardized treatments and rehabilitation.</p

Pediatric Medication Noninitiation in Spain.

OBJECTIVES: To estimate medication noninitiation prevalence in the pediatric population and identify the explanatory factors underlying this behavior. METHODS: Observational study of patients (<18 years old) receiving at least 1 new prescription (28 pharmaceutical subgroups; July 2017 to June 2018) in Catalonia, Spain. A prescription was considered new when there was no prescription for the same pharmaceutical subgroup in the previous 6 months. Noninitiation occurred when a prescription was not filled within 1 month or 6 months (sensitivity analysis). Prevalence was estimated as the proportion of total prescriptions not initiated. To identify explanatory factors, a multivariable multilevel logistic regression model was used, and adjusted odds ratios were reported. RESULTS: Overall, 1 539 003 new prescriptions were issued to 715 895 children. The overall prevalence of 1-month noninitiation was 9.0% (ranging from 2.6% [oral antibiotics] to 21.5% [proton pump inhibitors]), and the prevalence of 6-month noninitiation was 8.5%. Noninitiation was higher in the youngest and oldest population groups, in children from families with a 0% copayment rate (vulnerable populations) and those with conditions from external causes. Out-of-pocket costs of drugs increased the odds of noninitiation. The odds of noninitiation were lower when the prescription was issued by a pediatrician (compared with a primary or secondary care clinician). CONCLUSIONS: The prevalence of noninitiation of medical treatments in pediatrics is high and varies according to patients' ages and medical groups. Results suggest that there are inequities in access to pharmacologic treatments in this population that must be taken into account by health care planners and providers

Agravos clínicos atendidos pelo Serviço de Atendimento Móvel de Urgência (SAMU) de Porto Alegre - RS Agravios clínicos atendidos por el Servicio de Atención Móvil de Urgencia (SAMU) de Porto Alegre - RS Conditions treated in the Mobile Medical Emergency Services in Porto Alegre - RS

OBJETIVO: Caracterizar os agravos clínicos atendidos pelo Serviço de Atendimento Móvel de Urgência (SAMU), de Porto Alegre, no período de janeiro a junho de 2008. MÉTODOS: Estudo transversal, descritivo, exploratório. Utilizaram-se dados do sistema de informações do SAMU que foram transportados para o Programa Excel. O tratamento e análise dos dados foram descritivos. RESULTADOS: Os agravos neurológicos, cardiovasculares, respiratórios, digestivos e metabólicos foram os mais prevalentes, e a maioria ocorreu na faixa etária de 41-60 anos. Os hospitais públicos e unidades de pronto-atendimento foram as principais portas de entrada dos pacientes atendidos pelo SAMU. CONCLUSÃO: Os resultados podem contribuir para uma melhor organização do serviço e apontam necessidades de qualificação do atendimento de enfermagem que tem participação decisiva no cuidado ao paciente.<br>OBJETIVO: Caracterizar los agravios clínicos atendidos por el Servicio de Atención Móvil de Urgencia (SAMU), de Porto Alegre, en el período de enero a junio del 2008. MÉTODOS: Estudo transversal, descriptivo, exploratorio. Se utilizaron datos del sistema de informaciones del SAMU que fueron pasados al Programa Excel. El tratamiento y análisis de los datos fueron descriptivos. RESULTADOS: Los agravios neurológicos, cardiovasculares, respiratorios, digestivos y metabólicos fueron los más prevalentes, y la mayoría ocurrió en el grupo etáreo de 41-60 años. Los hospitales públicos y unidades de pronta-atención fueron las principales puertas de entrada de los pacientes atendidos por el SAMU. CONCLUSION: Los resultados pueden contribuir para una mejor organización del servicio y señalan necesidades de calificación de la atención de enfermería que tiene participación decisiva en el cuidado al paciente.<br>OBJECTIVE: To characterize the conditions treated in the Mobile Medical Emergency Services (SAMU) in Porto Alegre, from January to June 2008. METHODS: A cross- sectional, descriptive and exploratory study was performed. Data from the information system of the SAMU were used, which were dowloaded into the Microsoft Excel program. Descriptive data analysis was performed. RESULTS: Neurologic, cardiovascular, respiratory, digestive and metabolic disorders were most prevalent; most of these occurred in the age group ranging between 41-60 years. Public hospitals and emergency care units were the main ports of entry for patients treated at SAMU. CONCLUSION: These results may contribute to better organization and point of service qualification requirements for the nursing staff that has substantial involvement in patient care