scholarly journals Decreasing trends in patient satisfaction, accessibility and continuity of care in Finnish primary health care – a 14-year follow-up questionnaire study

2014 ◽  
Vol 15 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Risto Raivio ◽  
Juhani Jääskeläinen ◽  
Doris Holmberg-Marttila ◽  
Kari J Mattila
2018 ◽  
Vol 7 (1) ◽  
pp. 11 ◽  
Author(s):  
Risto Raivio ◽  
Eija Paavilainen ◽  
Kari J. Mattila

Objective: Continuity is an essential part of high-quality nursing care. This study is the first systematic follow-up of Finnish primary health care patients assessing continuity of health centre nursing staff. The aim was to ascertain how longitudinal interpersonal continuity of care is related to patients’ characteristics, their consultation experiences, and how continuity had changed over the 15-year study period.Methods: A questionnaire survey was conducted among patients attending the health centres in the Tampere University Hospital catchment area from 1998 to 2013. A total of 157,549 patients responded out of 363,464 in almost 60 health centres. We analysed the opinions of patients (n = 47,470) who had visited a nurse during the survey weeks. Opinions on the continuity of care were assessed with the question: “When visiting the health centre, do you usually see the same nurse”, the alternatives being “yes” or “no”. A binary logistic regression model was used.Results: Almost two thirds of the respondents had met the same nurse when visiting their health care centre. Longitudinal interpersonal continuity of care decreased by 15 percentage (67%-52%) during the study years. Continuity was connected to patient-related items such as a visit in the preceding 12 months (OR 1.32, 95% CI 1.17-1.49) and non-urgency of the visit (OR 1.44, 95% CI 1.27-1.63). The most prominent factor contributing to the sense of continuity of care was how attentively nurses had listened to their patients’ problems and shown an interest in them and a willingness to answer their questions (OR 1.31, 95% CI 1.120-1.43).Conclusions: In the past 15 years patient-reported longitudinal interpersonal continuity of nursing care has declined. However continuity of care proved to enhance the experienced quality of primary health care. Continuity was best realized in nursing care when nurses had listened to their patients’ problems, showed interest toward them and a willingness to answer their questions.


2021 ◽  
Vol 21 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Elaine Thumé ◽  
Marciane Kessler ◽  
Karla P. Machado ◽  
Bruno P. Nunes ◽  
Pamela M. Volz ◽  
...  

Abstract Background The Bagé Cohort Study of Ageing is a population-based cohort study that has recently completed the first follow-up of a representative sample of older adults from Bagé, a city with more than 100,000 inhabitants located in the state of Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil. This is one of the first longitudinal studies to assess the impact of primary health care coverage on health conditions and inequalities. Our aim is to investigate the prevalence, incidence and trends of risk factors, health behaviours, social relationships, non-communicable diseases, geriatric diseases and disorders, hospitalisation, self-perceived health, and all-cause and specific-cause mortality. In addition, we aim to evaluate socioeconomic and health inequalities and the impact of primary health care on the outcomes under study. Methods/design The study covers participants aged 60 or over, selected by probabilistic (representative) sampling of the urban area of the city of Bagé, which is covered by Primary Health Care Services. The baseline examination included 1593 older adults and was conducted from July 2008 to November 2008. After eight to nine years (2016/2017), the first follow-up was conducted from September 2016 to August 2017. All participants underwent an extensive core assessment programme including structured interviews, questionnaires, cognitive testing (baseline and follow-up), physical examinations and anthropometric measurements (follow-up). Results Of the original participants, 1395 (87.6%) were located for follow-up: 757 elderly individuals (47.5%) were re-interviewed, but losses in data transfer occurred for 22. The remaining 638 (40.1%) had died. In addition, we had 81 (5.1%) refusals and 117 (7.3%) losses. Among the 1373 older adults who were followed down, there was a higher proportion of female interviewees (p=0.042) and a higher proportion of male deaths (p=0.001) in 2016/2017. There were no differences in losses and refusals according to gender (p=0.102). There was a difference in average age between the interviewees (68.8 years; SD ±6.5) and non-interviewees (73.2 years; SD ±9.0) (p<0.001). Data are available at the Department of Social Medicine in Federal University of Pelotas, Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil, for any collaboration.


2017 ◽  
Vol 70 (5) ◽  
pp. 949-957 ◽  
Author(s):  
Claudia Nery Teixeira Palombo ◽  
Elizabeth Fujimori ◽  
Áurea Tamami Minagawa Toriyama ◽  
Luciane Simões Duarte ◽  
Ana Luiza Vilela Borges

ABSTRACT Introduction: Nutritional counseling and growth follow-up are priorities when providing care to children; however, these have not been completely incorporated into primary health care. Objective: To know the difficulties for providing nutritional counseling and child growth follow-up, from a professional healthcare perspective. Method: Qualitative study, using Donabedian as theoretical framework, developed by 53 professionals in the field of primary health care. Data was obtained from focal groups and submitted to content analysis. Results: The main difficulties for nutritional counseling were clustered in the category of ‘perceptions and beliefs related to child feeding’. The ‘problems of infrastructure and healthcare’ and ‘maintenance of the hegemonic medical model’ are the main difficulties for following-up growth. Final considerations: Besides investments in infrastructure, healthcare training is indispensable considering beliefs and professional experiences, so in fact, nutritional counseling and child growth follow-up are incorporated in primary health care.


2020 ◽  
Vol 54 ◽  
pp. 103
Author(s):  
Marco Antonio Vieira da Silva ◽  
Thaís Moreira São-João ◽  
Marilia Estevam Cornelio ◽  
Fábio Luiz Mialhe

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the effect of implementation intentions as an intervention strategy to promote walking in adults with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM). METHODS: We conducted a controlled and randomized trial, with 12 months of follow-up, involving 65 people with T2DM recruited from primary health care units and allocated them in the control group (CG, n = 32) and intervention group (IG, n = 33). The IG received the implementation intention strategy to promote walking and the CG remained in follow-up for conventional treatment in primary health care. The researchers were blinded by anthropometric measurements and the filling of the instruments. RESULTS: After twelve months of follow up, the IG presented a statistically significant increase in the leisure time physical activity when compared with the CG (p = 0.0413) and showed a significant decrease in waist circumference (p = 0.0061). No significant difference was observed regarding body mass index and glycated hemoglobin among groups. CONCLUSIONS: Implementation intention was effective in promoting walking and improving clinical indicators in adults with T2DM.


2022 ◽  
Vol 99 (12) ◽  
pp. 14-21
Author(s):  
L. V. Slogotskaya ◽  
E. M. Bogorodskaya ◽  
L. F. Shamuratova ◽  
T. A. Sevostyanova

The objective: to evaluate effectiveness of mass screening for tuberculosis infection in children aged 1 to 7 years in different periods – before and after the use of tuberculosis recombinant allergen skin test (TRA) in primary health care as an additional diagnostic method.Subjects and Methods. The study was designed as continuous observational prospective-retrospective study. Two different periods were assessed: the first one was 2014-2016 when screening for tuberculosis infection was performed in all children from 1 to 17 years (inclusive) using Mantoux test with 2 TU PPD-L in pediatric primary health care, and then children suspected to have a positive reaction were referred to TB dispensary where they were examined with a skin test with TRA if necessary. The second period was from 2018 to 2020 when children of 1-7 years old were given Mantoux test and if tuberculosis infection was suspected, a skin test with TRA was done both in primary health care network and TB units. In the first 3 years, 1,864,137 children were examined and in the second 3 years, 2,078,800 children from 1 to 7 years old were examined.Results. Among children of 1-7 years old who were screened by two stages (initial Mantoux test, and then in those who had a positive reaction, the TRA test was used), only 10-12% of those referred to a phthisiologist were subject to dispensary follow-up. Thus, with the implementation of the new edict on screening for tuberculosis infection in children with two tests, this proportion has not changed compared to previous years, when screening was carried out only with one Mantoux test. The reason why almost 90% of the children who were referred to TB Dispensary were not subject to dispensary follow-up is the following: children who have had previous conversion of tuberculin tests, along with everyone else are again screened with Mantoux test despite being previously followed up by TB dispensary due to the primary infection.Recommendations:Currently, there is no division of Group VI into Subgroups A, B, C in the dispensary follow up grouping. Why should conversion of Mantoux test reaction from negative into positive not be considered an infection, and the increase in the reaction must be at least 6 mm.Since Order No. 124n of the Russian Ministry of Health allows testing with TRA in the primary health care in case of suspected infection, it is advisable to refer those who have already had this test to a phthisiologist.A child with conversion of Mantoux test should not be re-screened with Mantoux test but the TRA test should be used. If a positive reaction to the TRA test occurs for the first time, it should be considered as conversion of this test, and in this case the child should be examined by computed tomography (CT), and preventive therapy should be prescribed. If in subsequent years the TRA reaction increases by at least 6 mm after previous preventive therapy, the child should be re-referred for CT to rule out the development of active tuberculosis.


Author(s):  
Cláudia Chaves ◽  
João Duarte ◽  
Odete Amaral ◽  
Emília Coutinho ◽  
Paula Nelas

Abstract.Introduction: Patient satisfaction is an essential indicator for assessment of the quality of care and there is evidence of its correlation with health outcomes. Satisfaction with health care is a multidimensional concept which considers aspects such as access, organization and patient-professional interactions. We believe that the nursing care, in particular, are critical in the health/disease process.Objectives: Validate a scale to assess the satisfaction of users with regard to nursing care, adapted from EUROPEP instrument and assess the satisfaction of users of the primary health care of the central region of Portugal.Methods: Cross-sectional study with a sample of 827 adult users (female 64.4%) with a mean age of 50,08±18,58 years. Data were collected through a questionnaire consisting of socio-demographic variables, the instrument EUROPEP (Ferreira, 1995) to assess satisfaction with primary health care and to assess satisfaction specifically with the nursing team we have created issues grouped in the help relationship, interpersonal and instrumental dimension. Internal consistency, reproducibility and content analysis were evaluated using the SPSS 23.0; considering the consistency acceptable to an α of Cronbach’s alpha > 0.70. The coefficient for each item is presented with a confidence interval of 95%.Results: In all dimensions of EUROPEP questionnaire, the highest percentage of satisfaction with the care was between "good" and "very good". The dimensions created to evaluate specifically the nursing care showed a Cronbach's alpha coefficient of α total of 0.972.Conclusions: These results suggest that the dimensions created to evaluate nursing care will be useful for research on the Portuguese population. User satisfaction is crucial to the quality and efficiency of care, requiring the commitment of all service providers on implementation of systematic management practices leading to satisfaction, giving particular attention to the continuous improvement of organizational processes.Keywords: Patient satisfaction; primary health care; nursing care, adult, PortugalResumo.SATISFAÇÃO DOS UTENTES DOS CUIDADOS DE SAÚDE PRIMÁRIOS COM OS CUIDADOS DE ENFERMAGEM – AMOSTRA DA REGIÃO CENTRO DE PORTUGALIntrodução: A satisfação dos doentes constitui um indicador indispensável para a avaliação da qualidade dos cuidados e há evidência da sua correlação com os resultados em saúde. A satisfação com os cuidados de saúde é um conceito multidimensional que considera aspetos como acesso, organização e interação doente - profissional. Consideramos que os cuidados de enfermagem, em particular, são fundamentais no processo saúde/doença.Objetivos: Validar uma escala para avaliar a satisfação dos utentes face aos cuidados de enfermagem, adaptado do instrumento EUROPEP e avaliar a satisfação dos utentes dos cuidados de saúde primários da região centro de Portugal.Material e métodos: Estudo transversal, com uma amostra de 827 utentes adultos (maioria do sexo feminino 64,4%) com uma média de idade de 50,08±18,58 anos. Os dados foram recolhidos através de um questionário, constituído por variáveis sociodemográficas, o instrumento EUROPEP (Ferreira, 1995) para avaliar a satisfação com os cuidados de saúde primários e para avaliar a satisfação especificamente com a equipa de enfermagem elaboramos questões adaptadas do instrumento EUROPEP e agrupadas nas dimensões relação de ajuda, dimensão interpessoal e instrumental. A consistência interna, reprodutibilidade e análise de conteúdo foram avaliados com recurso ao SPSS 23.0; considerando a consistência aceitável para um de Cronbach > 0,70. O coeficiente para cada item é apresentado com um intervalo de confiança de 95%.Resultados: Em todas as dimensões do questionário EUROPEP, a maior percentagem de satisfação com os cuidados situou-se entre “boa” e “muito boa”. As dimensões criadas para avaliar especificamente os cuidados de enfermagem apresentaram um coeficiente de α de Cronbach total de 0,972.Conclusões: Estes resultados sugerem que as dimensões criadas para avaliar os cuidados de enfermagem serão úteis para a investigação na população Portuguesa. A satisfação do utente é decisiva para a qualidade e eficiência dos cuidados prestados, sendo necessário o compromisso de todos os prestadores na implementação de práticas sistemáticas de gestão que conduzam à satisfação, dando particular atenção à melhoria contínua dos processos organizacionais.Palavras-chave: Satisfação dos Utentes; cuidados de saúde primários, cuidados de enfermagem, adulto, Portugal


2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Melchor Riera ◽  
Adria Ferre ◽  
Alfredo Santos-Pinheiro ◽  
Helem Hayde Vilchez ◽  
Maria Luisa Martin-Peña ◽  
...  

Abstract Background: There are few shared assistance programs with Primary Health Care (PHC) in PLWH. The aim was to develop a Pilot Program of shared HIV care in PLWH ensuring proper HIV control. Methods: Design: Prospective pilot project of a shared care intervention.Setting: HIV specialized outpatient consultations for HIV infection at Son Espases University Hospital which serves 2000 patients. Subjects: Patients who attended HIV specialized consultation between January 1st and June 30th, 2017. Intervention: Basal questionnaire on health services used by patients. HIV Training Program on HIV in Primary Health Care (PHC). Pilot Program of shared assistance (PPAC) with PHC. Main Outcomes: Maintenance of undetectable HIV viral load, antiretroviral therapy (ART) adherence, AIDS and non-AIDS events, loss of follow up, and satisfaction questionnaire. Results: The basal questionnaire was filled out by 918 patients, with 108 (11.7%) patients reporting neither knowing nor having been visited by their GP. A total of 93 patients were included in the PPAC, with a mean age of 49.9 years (SD 11.7), and an average of 14.6 years since the HIV diagnosis. Eleven patients were followed up for less than six months and were excluded from the analysis. Median follow-up during the PPAC of the remaining 82 patients was 728 days (IQR 370-1070). Sixteen patients dropped out of the PPAC (19.5%), three died, three were lost to follow up, one was withdrawn due to medical criteria, and nine withdrew voluntarily.No patient presented any AIDS defining events, although eight patients presented non-AIDS events. All the patients had undetectable viral load (VL) and average ART adherence was 99.4% (SD1.4). The patient’s satisfaction score with PPAC was 8.64 (SD2.5).Conclusion: It is possible to establish shared care programs with PHC in selected patients with HIV infection, thereby reducing hospital visits while maintaining good adherence and virological control and achieving high patient satisfaction.


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