O acompanhamento dos casos de Tuberculose (TB) envolve planejar ações assistenciais e gerenciais, as quais preveem a utilização de diferentes instrumentos de registro e sistemas de informação. Dessa forma, desenvolveu-se um sistema de informação para acompanhamento dos doentes de TB (SISTB), sendo que o presente estudo teve como objetivo analisar a implantação e utilização de tal sistema em um Ambulatório de Referência (AR) para o tratamento da TB de Ribeirão Preto - SP no período de 2013 à 2016. Trata-se de um estudo epidemiológico descritivo-analítico, do tipo intervenção, com abordagem quantitativa. Para análise do processo de implantação do SISTB, foi realizada observação com roteiro. O banco de dados do SISTB foi consultado para analisar a utilização e completude de preenchimento dos dados. Resultados: adaptações foram realizadas no SISTB para atender as necessidades dos profissionais de saúde. O cadastro dos doentes no sistema ocorreu em média 7 dias após o início do tratamento. O cadastro das supervisões medicamentosas e a edição de dados foram as ações mais realizadas. Fragilidades na completude dos dados foram identificadas no preenchimento do CPF, número do SINAN e na data do exame de cultura de escarro. Apresentaram 100% de completude o número do prontuário, endereço, município, data de nascimento, serviço que descobriu o caso, data de notificação, unidade de atendimento médico, unidade de supervisão medicamentosa, data de início do tratamento, tipo de tratamento, realizou tratamento anterior, data da alta e desfecho do tratamento. Conclusão: a utilização do SISTB possibilitou a geração automática da Ficha de Registro do Tratamento Diretamente Observado (TDO) e Boletim de Acompanhamento Mensal. Apesar da incompletude no preenchimento de alguns dados, outros foram completamente preenchidos. Foram identificados problemas que dificultavam o uso do SISTB, os quais foram corrigidos. O SISTB permitiu agrupar diferentes registros em um único local com acesso online, facilitando o compartilhamento e visualização de informações entre os profissionais e serviços de saúde / The monitoring of tuberculosis (TB) cases involves planning care and management actions, which provide the use of different instruments registration and information systems. Thus, it was developed an information system for monitoring TB patients (SISTB), and the present study analyzed the implementation and use of this system in a reference outpatient clinic (AR) for TB treatment in Ribeirão Preto - SP from 2013 to 2016. This is a descriptive and analytical epidemiological study of type intervention with a quantitative approach. For analysis of SISTB deployment process, script with observation was performed. The SISTB database was consulted to analyze the data use, data fill completeness. Results: Improvements were made in SISTB to meet the needs of healthcare professionals. The registration system of the patients was on average 7 days after initiation of treatment. Registration of drug supervision and editing of data was the most performed actions. Weaknesses in the completeness of data were identified for completion of the CPF, SINAN number and date of sputum culture test. Showed 100% completion of the medical record number, address, city, date of birth, service that discovered the case, notification, medical care unit, drug supervision unit, starting date of treatment, type of treatment, being treated earlier, date of discharge and treatment outcome. Conclusion: The use of SISTB enabled the automatic generation of Treatment Registration Form Directly Observed (TDO) and Monthly Monitoring Bulletin. Despite the incompleteness in filling some data, others were completely filled. Problems were identified that hindered the use of SISTB, which were corrected. The SISTB allowed group different records in a single location with online access, facilitating the sharing and visualization of information between professionals and health services

Compreender melhor os problemas relacionados ao uso de medicamentos por idosos, entre eles, a adesão ao tratamento medicamentoso, se faz necessário, uma vez que ampliar o conhecimento desta temática pode favorecer o sucesso do tratamento, o controle/cura/prevenção de doenças e a promoção da saúde. Assim, este estudo objetivou caracterizar os idosos atendidos em um Ambulatório Privado de Especialidades Médicas e que atende a duas Operadoras de Planos de Saúde, no interior do estado de São Paulo, segundo as variáveis sociodemográficas, condições de saúde e uso de medicamentos; descrever a capacidade cognitiva e o desempenho para as atividades básicas e instrumentais da vida diária destes idosos; identificar a adesão do idoso ao tratamento medicamentoso e analisar a associação entre a adesão ao tratamento medicamentoso e as variáveis sociodemográficas, as relacionadas ao uso de medicamentos e, o déficit cognitivo. Trata-se de um estudo seccional e correlacional, sendo utilizada amostra de conveniência. A coleta de dados foi realizada no período de fevereiro a setembro de 2009, no próprio Ambulatório. Utilizou-se uma readaptação do Older Americans Resources and Services (OARS), um questionário de avaliação sobre o uso de medicamentos, o Mini-Exame do Estado Mental (MEEM) e uma Medida de Adesão ao Tratamento (MAT). Foram estudados 97 idosos com média de idade de 71,6 anos; 72,2% eram mulheres; 45,4% casados e 36,1% viúvos; média de 3,1 filhos por idoso; 47,4% com escolaridade entre um e quatro anos; 56,7% eram aposentados. Com relação à saúde, 44,3% a auto-avaliaram como \"Boa\"; observou-se em média 3,4 doenças por idoso; 42,3% avaliaram sua visão como \"Boa\", porém 43,3% indicaram dificuldade para leitura de bulas de medicamentos; 61,9% informam fazer uso somente de medicamentos prescritos. No que se refere ao uso de medicamentos, 44,3% tomam entre 1 e 2 medicamentos por dia, de forma contínua; 97,9% receberam orientação sobre o uso dos medicamentos; 56,7% obtinham os medicamentos por meio de recursos próprios; para 54,6% era indiferente tomar medicamentos diariamente; 54,6% negaram a presença de efeitos colaterais; 65,3% dos que referiram possuir dificuldade no seguimento à terapia medicamentosa citaram o fator financeiro como principal contribuinte e 70,1% não utilizam substitutos ao medicamento. Quanto ao desempenho para as AVDs, 65,6% realizam de 1 a 5 atividades com dificuldade. Na avaliação cognitiva pelo MEEM, 53,6% apresentaram déficit cognitivo e o escore médio foi de 24,1 pontos. O escore médio de adesão ao tratamento medicamentoso foi de 5,2 e 77% dos idosos apresentaram adesão ao tratamento. Não foram verificadas, neste estudo, associação da adesão com as variáveis sociodemográficas, de uso de medicamentos e déficit cognitivo. Dessa forma, o estudo revelou que a maioria dos idosos apresentou adesão ao tratamento medicamentoso, sendo que, as diferenças na prevalência da adesão com as variáveis sociodemográficas, as de uso de medicamentos e, o déficit cognitivo não foram estatisticamente significativas, porém são relevantes para discussões entre os profissionais da área da saúde, uma vez que, a identificação correta dos fatores que podem influenciar a adesão ao tratamento nesta faixa etária, pode tornar efetivas as práticas assistenciais voltadas ao uso de medicamentos pelo idoso. / A better understanding of the problems related to the medication use by elderly people is necessary, including the adherence to medication treatment, once broadening the knowledge of this theme can favor the success of the treatment, disease control/cure/prevention and health promotion. Thus, this cross-sectional and correlational study aimed to characterize the elderly people receiving care in a Private Outpatient Clinic of Medical Specialties which delivery care to patients of two Health Insurance Companies, in the interior of the state of São Paulo, according to sociodemographic variables, health conditions and medication use; to describe the cognitive capacity and the performance of the elderly in daily instrumental and basic activities; to identify the adherence of elderly people to medication treatment and to analyze the association between adherence to medication treatment and sociodemographic variables, variables related to medication use and cognitive deficit. Convenience sample was used. Data collection was carried out between February and September 2009, in the Outpatient Clinic. A readapted version of the Older Americans Resources and Services (OARS), a questionnaire to evaluate the use of medications, the Mini Exam of the Mental State (MMSE) and a Treatment Adherence Measurement (TAM) were used. In total, 97 elderly individuals were studied, with average age of 71.6 years; 72.2% were women; 45.4% married and 36.1% widower; with average of 3.1 children per elderly person; 47.4% with educational level between one and four years of study; 56.7% were retired. With regard to health, 44.3% self-evaluated it as \"Good\"; on average 3.4 diseases were observed per person; 42.3% evaluated their vision as \"Good\", however 43.3% indicated having difficulty to read medicine package inserts; 61.9% reported using only prescribed medications. Regarding the medication use, 44.3% take between 1 and 2 medications per day, continuously; 97.9% received orientation about the use of medications; 56.7% obtained the medications through their own resources; for 54.6% of the subjects, taking medications every day was indifferent; 54.6% denied the presence of collateral effects; 65.3% of the subjects who reported having difficulty in following the medication therapy mentioned the financial factor as the main reason for that and 70.1% did not use substitutes to medication. Concerning the performance of the daily life activities (AVDs), 65.6% performed from 1 to 5 activities with difficulty. In the cognitive evaluation by the MMSE, 53.6% presented cognitive deficit and the average score was 24.1 points. The average score of adherence to medication treatment was 5.2 and 77% of the elderly people presented adherence to treatment. In the study, association between adherence and sociodemographic variables, medication use and cognitive deficit, were not verified. Thus, the study revealed that most elderly people presented adherence to medication treatment, and the differences in the prevalence of adherence with the sociodemograpic variables, medication use variables and cognitive deficit were not statistically significant. However, they are relevant for discussions among health professionals, once the correct identification of the factors that can influence the treatment adherence in this age group can make effective the care practices targeting the medication use by elderly people.

Wen Er Ya Jane. / Thesis (M.Phil.)--Chinese University of Hong Kong, 1995. / Includes bibliographical references (leaves 130-134). / Table of contents --- p.ii / List of tables --- p.iv / List of figures --- p.vi / Abstract --- p.vii / Glossary of abbreviations --- p.ix / Acknowledgments --- p.x / Chapter CHAPTER 1 --- INTRODUCTION --- p.1 / Chapter 1.1 --- DEFINITIONS AND CLASSIFICATIONS...............................Error! Bookmark not defined / Chapter 1.1.1 --- Classification of drug-related problems --- p.2 / Chapter 1.1.2 --- Adverse drug reactions (ADRs) --- p.2 / Chapter 1.1.3 --- Drug interactions (DI) --- p.7 / Chapter 1.1.4 --- Therapeutic failures (TF) --- p.8 / Chapter 1.1.5 --- Non-compliance --- p.10 / Chapter 1.1.6 --- Drug overdoses (DO) or drug poisonings --- p.11 / Chapter 1.1.7 --- Drug-related hospitalizations (DRH) --- p.12 / Chapter 1.1.8 --- Other relevant definitions --- p.13 / Chapter 1.2 --- LITERATURE REVIEW --- p.16 / Chapter 1.2.1 --- Adverse drug reactions --- p.16 / Chapter 1.2.2 --- Hospital admission due to ADRs --- p.18 / Chapter 1.2.3 --- Drug-related hospitalizations (DRH) --- p.22 / Chapter 1.2.4 --- Discussion --- p.24 / Chapter 1.3 --- PURPOSE OF THIS STUDY --- p.27 / Chapter CHAPTER 2 --- METHODS --- p.30 / Chapter 2.1 --- BACKGROUND --- p.30 / Chapter 2.2 --- DATA COLLECTION --- p.31 / Chapter 2.2.1 --- The patients --- p.31 / Chapter 2.2.2 --- The drug history --- p.31 / Chapter 2.2.3 --- Patients knowledge of drugs they were taking --- p.33 / Chapter 2.2.4 --- Compliance --- p.33 / Chapter 2.2.5 --- Previous episodes of adverse drug reactions --- p.34 / Chapter 2.2.6 --- Diagnosis and outcome --- p.34 / Chapter 2.2.7 --- Laboratory Results --- p.34 / Chapter 2.2.8 --- Demographic characteristics of the patients --- p.35 / Chapter 2.2.9 --- The data sheet --- p.36 / Chapter 2.3. --- CASE REVIEW (REASSESSMENT) --- p.41 / Chapter 2.4 --- CODING OF DATA --- p.41 / Chapter 2.4.1 --- Coding of general data except diagnoses and drugs --- p.41 / Chapter 2.4.2 --- Coding of diagnoses --- p.42 / Chapter 2.4.3 --- Coding of drugs --- p.42 / Chapter 2.5 --- STATISTICAL ANALYSIS --- p.42 / Chapter CHAPTER 3 --- RESULTS --- p.43 / Chapter 3.1 --- THE PATIENTS --- p.43 / Chapter 3.1.1 --- Age and sex distributions --- p.43 / Chapter 3.1.2 --- Patients' ADL and living environments --- p.47 / Chapter 3.1.3 --- Baseline liver and renal function tests --- p.50 / Chapter 3.1.4 --- Diagnoses --- p.52 / Chapter 3.2 --- DRUG USE PRIOR TO ADMISSION --- p.54 / Chapter 3.2.1 --- Overview --- p.54 / Chapter 3.2.2 --- Consumption patterns for the prescribed drugs --- p.61 / Chapter 3.2.3 --- Sources and durations for the prescribed drugs --- p.69 / Chapter 3.2.4 --- Consumption patterns for self-medications --- p.71 / Chapter 3.2.5 --- Source and duration of the self-medications --- p.73 / Chapter 3.2.6 --- Drug overdose patterns --- p.75 / Chapter 3.3 --- PATIENTS' KNOWLEDGE OF THE EFFECTS AND SIDE-EFFECTS OF DRUGS --- p.74 / Chapter 3.3.1 --- Overview --- p.74 / Chapter 3.3.2 --- Patients' knowledge of the effects of their prescribed drugs --- p.74 / Chapter 3.3.3 --- Patients' knowledge of the side-effects of their prescribed drugs --- p.77 / Chapter 3.4 --- COMPLIANCE --- p.79 / Chapter 3.5 --- DRUG-RELATED HOSPITALIZATIONS (DRH) --- p.82 / Chapter 3.5.1 --- Overview --- p.82 / Chapter 3.5.2 --- Adverse drug reactions (ADRs) --- p.84 / Chapter 3.5.3 --- Outcome of ADRs --- p.98 / Chapter 3.5.4 --- "Therapeutic failures (Non-compliance, Inappropriate dose reduction)" --- p.100 / Chapter 3.5.5 --- Drug overdoses --- p.104 / Chapter CHAPTER 4 --- DISCUSSION --- p.106 / Chapter 4.1 --- ABOUT THE PATIENTS --- p.106 / Chapter 4.2 --- DISEASE PATTERNS AND DRUG CONSUMPTION PATTERNS --- p.107 / Chapter 4.2.1 --- Diagnoses on admission --- p.107 / Chapter 4.2.2 --- Drug consumption patterns --- p.109 / Chapter 4.2.3 --- About the sources and durations of the prescribed drugs --- p.112 / Chapter 4.2.4 --- About the self-medications --- p.113 / Chapter 4.3 --- ABOUT PATIENTS' KNOWLEDGE OF THE DRUGS --- p.114 / Chapter 4.4 --- ABOUT COMPLIANCE --- p.116 / Chapter 4.5 --- ABOUT ADRS AND DRUGS INTERACTIONS --- p.118 / Chapter 4.5.1 --- The incidence of ADRs --- p.118 / Chapter 4.5.2 --- The patterns of ADRs --- p.119 / Chapter 4.5.3 --- The drugs and ADRs --- p.119 / Chapter 4.5.4 --- Self-medications and ADRs --- p.121 / Chapter 4.5.5 --- The risk factors for ADRs --- p.122 / Chapter 4.5.6 --- Drug interactions --- p.125 / Chapter 4.6 --- ABOUT THERAPEUTIC FAILURES --- p.126 / Chapter 4.7 --- ABOUT DRUG OVERDOSES --- p.127 / Chapter 4.8 --- CONCLUSIONS --- p.128 / BIBLIOGRAPHY --- p.130

The aim of this study was to explore the Health Service Utilization (HSU) of homeless people in Dublin. In particular, it sought to identify a critical realist explanatory model for why the HSU of homeless people differs from that of the general population. Critical realist (CR) ethnography was used as the research methodology and was supplemented with forty-seven semi-structured interviews and two focus groups. The HSU of homeless participants in Dublin is described. When compared to the domiciled population, homeless people were found to have a tendency to present late on in their illness, to have higher utilization of primary care services and lower utilization of secondary care services and to avoid psychiatric services. The factors that influenced participants HSU tendency are identified as external or internal influences on HSU. External factors are described as physical, administrative or attitudinal barriers or deterrents; or external promoters of health service usage. Internalised inhibitors and promoters are illustrated as either cognitions or emotions that are developed in reaction to external circumstances and which either negatively or positively impact on health service usage. Interactions between health professionals and participants that resulted in exclusion (by the health professional or self-exclusion) are described as Conversations of Exclusion. A critical realist model was outlined that offers an explanation for why homeless people’s HSU differs from that of the general population in Dublin. This model included a description of the generative mechanisms identified as producing the HSU tendencies in the study population. The implications of this new model are discussed in the light of the literature and previous models that seek to explain the HSU of homeless people.

O aumento da proporção de idosos trouxe mudanças importantes no perfil de morbidade geral. Uma maior frequência de doenças crônicas faz com que a prescrição de medicamentos seja cada vez mais extensa e mais complexa nesta população. Estes aspectos, somados às variações farmacocinéticas e farmacodinâmicas relacionadas com a idade e à crescente medicalização, levam ao aumento do risco de problemas relacionados à farmacoterapia, tais como o uso de medicamentos potencialmente inapropriados (MPI) e correspondente aparecimento de reações adversas. Esta dissertação tem como objetivo avaliar o uso de MPI entre idosos brasileiros utilizando a Lista PRISCUS (2010). Os dados analisados são provenientes da Pesquisa Nacional de Acesso, Utilização e Promoção do Uso Racional de Medicamentos (PNAUM), de caráter transversal e amostra probabilística populacional em municípios brasileiros urbanos. Neste estudo, foram analisadas as informações obtidas com a população de idosos (60 anos ou mais) (N=9.019). A variável independente foram os medicamentos utilizados por idosos com 60 anos ou mais. As variáveis intervenientes foram sexo, idade, escolaridade, nível econômico e região geográfica. Também foram analisadas as variáveis presença de doença crônica e médico que trata doença crônica. Uma análise multivariável foi realizada para identificar os fatores para o uso de medicamentos inapropriados. Do total de idosos, 18,1% utilizaram no mínimo um medicamento considerado potencialmente inapropriado, independente de dose, sendo que o grupo de medicamentos para o sistema nervoso correspondeu a 45,8%, sendo a amitriptilina a mais prevalente. O uso de medicamentos inapropriados foi maior em mulheres (20,4%), idosos com 80 anos ou mais (22,2%), idosos com nenhuma escolaridade (21,5%), nível econômico C (18,6%), região Sul do Brasil (22,4%), idosos com doença crônica (DC) (21,8%) e que tratavam a DC com mais de um médico (28%). De acordo com a análise multivariável, a variável que se mostrou associada à maior probabilidade para o uso de medicamentos inapropriados foi o aumento do número de medicamentos. Idosos que utilizam maior número de medicamentos simultaneamente (polifarmácia) têm maior probabilidade de terapia inapropriada. Com o intenso processo de envelhecimento, a tendência é aumentar a utilização de medicamentos na população. Programas de atenção ao idoso devem constar como prioridade dos órgãos públicos de saúde. / The proportion of aged has increased causing important changes in the general morbidity profile. A higher frequency of chronic diseases makes medications prescription more and more extensive and complex in this population. These aspects, coupled with pharmacokinetic and pharmacodynamic variations related to age and increasing medicalization, lead to an increased risk of problems related to the use of medications, such as the use of potentially inappropriate medications (PIM) and corresponding adverse reactions. This dissertation aims at evaluating the use of PIM among Brazilian elders using the PRISCUS List (2010). The analyzed data came from the National Survey of Access, Use and Promotion of the Rational Use of Medicines (PNAUM, in Portuguese), of transversal character and population probabilistic sample in urban Brazilian municipalities. In this study, the information obtained with the elderly population (60 years or more) (N=9.019) was analyzed. The independent variable was the medication used by the 60 years old people or older. The intervening variables were sex, age, schooling, economic level and geographic region. Also, it were analyzed the presence of chronic disease and the doctor who treats chronic disease. A multivariate analysis was performed to identify the risk factors for the use of inappropriate medications. Of the total aged, 18.1% used at least one medication considered to be potentially inappropriate, regardless of dose, and the group of medications for the nervous system corresponded to 45.8%, with amitriptyline being the most prevalent. The use of inappropriate medications was higher in women (20.4%), 80 years old people or older (22.2%), aged with no schooling (21.5%), economic level C (18.6%), South region of Brazil (22.4%), aged with chronic disease (CD) (21.8%) and who treated CD with more than one physician (28%). According to the multivariate analysis, the variable that was shown to be associated with the greatest probability for the use of inappropriate medications was the increase in the number of medications. Aged who use more medications at the same time are more likely to have inappropriate therapy. With the intense process of aging, the tendency is to increase the use of medications by the population. Aged care programs should be a priority of public health agencies.

Introdução: Nos últimos anos, o consumo de medicamentos tem aumentado em todo o mundo e também no Brasil. Investigar este consumo numa determinada população é relevante para a gestão da política de medicamentos e o gerenciamento dos recursos em saúde, pois serve como ferramenta no planejamento de ações de prevenção e promoção de saúde. Objetivo: Descrever a prevalência e a tendência de consumo de medicamentos por intermédio da dispensação numa Farmácia Pública Municipal no período de oito anos. Metodologia: Trata-se de um estudo descritivo, retrospectivo, baseado em dados secundários obtidos por meio dos relatórios de dispensação de medicamentos do sistema informatizado da Farmácia Pública Municipal de Glorinha (RS) no período de 2008 a 2015. A população do estudo constitui-se de todos os usuários que tiveram pelo menos um medicamento da Relação Municipal de Medicamentos. As variáveis demográficas foram sexo e idade. Para fins de análise, os medicamentos foram categorizados no primeiro (Grupo Anatômico – GA), segundo (Grupo Terapêutico Principal – GTP) e quinto nível (Substância Química – SQ) da classificação Anatomical Therapeutic Chemical (ATC) e seu consumo analisado pela Dose Diária Definida (DDD) por 1.000 habitantes por dia. Resultados: A população do estudo foi 9.967 pessoas, sendo o maior percentual do sexo feminino (52,8%) e a faixa etária mais prevalente de 0 a 9 anos (16,2%). O consumo pelas mulheres é maior que os homens em todas as faixas etárias. Em relação ao consumo de medicamentos dispensados por usuário por ano: os GA mais prevalentes foram sistema nervoso (22,1%) e sistema cardiovascular (19,5%); os GTP mais prevalentes foram anti-inflamatórios e antirreumáticos (11,3%) e analgésicos (10,5%) e as SQ mais consumidas foram ibubrofeno (11,3%) e paracetamol (9,9%). Quanto à quantidade de unidades farmacêuticas dispensadas por ano: os GA mais prevalentes foram sistema (43,1%) e sistema nervoso (26,7%); os GTP mais prevalentes foram os agentes com ação no sistema renina-angiotensina (18,0%) e psicoanalépticos (10,8%) e as SQ mais consumidas foram captopril (8,9%) e enalapril (7,9%). Sobre o total da DDD (DDD/1.000 habitantes/dia): os GA de maior consumo foram os medicamentos do sistema cardiovascular (47,6%) e do sistema nervoso (15,3%); os GTP mais utilizados foram os medicamentos com ação no sistema renina-angiotensina (22,7%) e os diuréticos (10,3%) e as SQ mais utilizadas foram enalapril (14,7%) e omeprazol (9,6%). Dentre os medicamentos disponibilizados foi observado um maior decréscimo de dispensação nos seguintes grupos terapêuticos principais: ação no sistema renina-angiotensina (93,0%), na diabetes (82,4%) e os diuréticos (79,0%). Conclusões: Apesar da ampliação do acesso da população aos medicamentos pelas políticas públicas vigentes de Assistência Farmacêutica, a expressiva e crescente prevalência de consumo e a sua utilização de forma não racional causa preocupação. Dentro deste contexto, o profissional farmacêutico desempenha um papel relevante na compreensão e enfrentamento do problema e, desta forma, pode também contribuir na elaboração de estratégias para educação em saúde e para o uso racional de medicamentos na população por intermédio de estudos na área de Farmacoepidemiologia. / Introduction: In recent years, the consumption of medicinal products has increased worldwide and also in Brazil. Investigating this consumption in a given population is relevant for the management of health resources, as it serves as a tool in the planning of health preventive and promotion actions. Objectives: Describing the prevalence and trend of the consumption of medicinal products through the dispensing procedure at a Municipal Public Pharmacy over a period of eight years. Methodology: This is a descriptive, retrospective study, based on secondary data obtained through the reports of dispensing procedures of medicines from the computerized system of the Municipal Public Pharmacy in Glorinha (RS), from 2008 to 2015. The studied population consisted of all users who got at least one medication from the Municipal Medication List. Demographic variables were sex and age. For the purposes of analysis, the medicinal products were categorized in the first (Anatomical Group – AG), second (Therapeutic Subgroup – TS) and fifth level (Chemical Substance – CS) of the Anatomical Therapeutic Chemical (ATC) classification, and its consumption analyzed by the Defined Daily Dose DDD (1,000 inhabitants per day). Results: The studied population was 9,967 people, the highest percentage being female (52.8%) ant the most prevalent age group that of 0 to 9 years old (16.2%). Consumption by women is greater than men in all age groups. Respecting the consumption of medicines dispensed to users per year: the most prevalent AG were nervous system (22.1%) and cardiovascular system (19.5%); the most prevalent TS were antiinflammatory and antirheumatic (11.3%) and analgesics (10.5%), and the most commonly consumed CS were ibuprofen (11.3%), and acetaminophen (9.9%). Regarding the quantity of pharmaceutical units dispensed per year: the most prevalent AG were cardiovascular system (43.1%) and nervous system (26.7%); the most prevalent TS were agents action on the renin angiotensin system (18.0%) and psychoanalytics (10.8%), and the most commonly used CS were captopril (8.9%) and enalapril (7.9%). About the total DDD (DDD/1,000 inhabitants/day): the most consumed AG were the cardiovascular system medications (47.6%) and the nervous system (15.3%); the most used TS were the medicines with action in the renin angiotensin system (22.7%) and the diuretics (10.3%) and the most used CS were enalapril (14.7%) and omeprazole (9.6%). Among the medicinal products available, a greater decrease in the following main therapeutic groups was observed: action in the renin angiotensin system (93.0%), diabetes (82.4%) and diuretics (79.0%). Conclusions: Despite the increasing access of the population to medication by the current public policies of Pharmaceutical Assistance, the expressive and growing prevalence of consumption and its use of form non-rational causes concern. Within this context, the pharmacy professional plays a relevant role in understanding and coping with the problem and, in this way, can also contribute in the elaboration of strategies for health education and for the rational use of medicines in the population through studies in the area of Pharmacoepidemiology.

Since various public and private actors at the international, supranational, national and subnational levels started to adopt long-term targets for reducing greenhouse gas emissions, low-carbon scenario analyses have flourished. Literature reveals an increasing number of analyses envisioning and exploring alternative images of low-carbon futures, as well as their adjacent transition pathways. Scenario approaches or “foresight” is intended to help policy-makers to navigate the maelstrom of confusion and conflicts associated with highly complex societal challenges such as climate change – i.e. the “super-wicked” problems. Typical scenario exercises aim at coping with uncertainty and conflicting values, and hence are often claimed as a suitable approach for knowing and governing super-wicked problems. When reviewing the scenario literature published over the recent years, we observe significant methodological developments, in particular at the level of the calculus or data-sets. These contributions have generated an increasing technical sophistication of scenario building methods, and contrast with the relative absence of social sciences research on scenarios. Scenario analyses have received little academic attention from social sciences, whether they are political science, sociology, philosophy of science or science and technology studies. By providing a SHS-analysis of low-carbon scenarios, the present thesis contributes to bridge this research gap. Scenarios are here understood as “boundary objects” linking different social worlds: science and policy, but also natural and social sciences. This thesis aspires to create an enhanced understanding on how scenario analyses perform such “boundary work”. More specifically, the following analysis of low-carbon scenarios is based on a twofold perspective focusing, on the one hand, on the interactions between low-carbon scenarios and governance (i.e. link between science and policy), and, on the other hand, on the making of knowledge about governance in low-carbon scenarios (i.e. link between natural and social sciences). In other words, it explores “scenarios in governance” and “governance in scenarios”. The thesis project includes three research axes, each based on its particular empirics. A first study explores the interactions between low-carbon scenarios and governance on the basis of a multiple case study analysing the role of four energy foresight studies in policy-making. The other two studies focus on the making of knowledge about governance in low-carbon scenarios. One of them provides an assessment of the knowledge needed to steer the low-carbon transition. The other one aims at contributing to the debate on the relations between quantitative modelling and social sciences by exposing a critical review of socio-technical energy transition models. The objective of the present thesis thus consists in providing an empirical contribution to social sciences research on low-carbon scenarios. / Doctorat en Sciences / info:eu-repo/semantics/nonPublished

Inappropriate use of medications (IUM) is a global problem that can lead to unnecessary harm to the patients and unnecessary costs across the health care system. Identifying and reducing IUM has been a long-lasting challenge and currently, no systematic and automated solution exists to address it. IUM can be manually identified by experts using medication appropriateness criteria (MAC). In this research I first conducted a review of approaches used to identify IUM and reduce IUM. Next, I developed a conceptual model for representing the MAC, and then developed a tool and a workflow for translating the MAC into structured form. Because indications are an important component of the MAC, I conducted a critical appraisal of existing knowledge sources that can be used to that end, namely the medication-indication knowledge-bases. Finally, I demonstrated how these structured MAC can be used to identify patients who are potentially subject to IUM and evaluated the accuracy of this approach. This research identifies the knowledge gaps and technological challenges in identifying and reducing IUM and addresses some of these gaps through the creation of a representation for MAC, a repository of structured MAC, and a set of tools that can assist in evaluating the impact of interventions aimed to reduce IUM or assess its downstream effects. This research also discusses the limitations of existing methods for executing computable decision support rules and proposes solutions needed to enhance these methods so they can support implementation of the MAC.

In the United States, home health care (HHC) is the most frequently used form of post-acute care services. Majority of the HHC patients are elderly and have known activities of daily living (ADL) dependencies. The role of HHC as a post-acute care provider has been emphasized under the Affordable Care Act (ACA) as it is expected that HHC services will help patients stay in the community and reduce acute care hospitalization. Urinary tract infection (UTI) -related hospitalization is an adverse patient outcome that affects elderly patients in the HHC setting. Studies examining the ADLs of HHC patients are limited. Although dependence in ADLs is a known risk factor for hospitalization, no study has assessed the relationship between ADL dependency and UTI-related hospitalization among HHC patients. This dissertation describes the ADLs of elderly patients receiving HHC services, and examines risk of UTI-related hospitalization among this population, specifically the potential risk of ADL dependency. In Chapter One, the problems of UTI-related hospitalization and ADL dependency are introduced and their significance is described. In Chapter Two, an integrative review of the literature describing methods of assessing ADLs in skilled nursing facilities (SNF) and HHC are described. In Chapter Three, a cross-sectional study elucidating the risk factors for severe ADL dependency and predictors of ADL improvement among HHC patients is reported. In Chapter Four, the risk factors for UTI-related hospitalization among HHC patients is reported. In Chapter Five, findings of the three studies are summarized and conclusions are provided including strengths, limitations, and implications for practice and policy. Andersen’s Behavioral Model was the theoretical framework used for this study. The Andersen model posits that health care utilization is a function of patients predisposing (e.g. age, gender, race/ethnicity), enabling (e.g. living alone, insurance status, living condition, primary care giver) and need factors (e.g. ADL dependency level, comorbidity, impaired decision making). This model fits this dissertation because evidence shows that health care utilization (UTI-related hospitalizations) depends on predisposing, enabling and need factors. This was a retrospective cohort research design study based on secondary analysis of the Outcome and Assessment Information Set (OASIS) data set of 154,801 beneficiaries who received home health care services in 2013. Descriptive statistics, bivariate analysis, and multivariable logistic regression analyses were conducted to examine the effect of each individual variable on the outcomes of interest (severe ADL dependency, ADL improvement and UTI-related hospitalizations). The study population was elderly (mean age 77 years), mostly female (65%) and white (79.8%). Key findings indicated that, (a) over 60% of patients had severe ADL dependency, and impaired decision making is a strong predictor of severe ADL dependency, (b) Overall, patients experienced ADL improvement from admission to discharge. However, blacks experienced significantly less ADL improvement compared to Whites. Longer HHC length of stay was also associated with ADL improvement, and (c) For the UTI-related hospitalization outcome model, multivariable analysis showed that Medicaid insurance, severe ADL dependency and impaired decision making was associated with increased risk for UTI-related hospitalization

Hospitalizations are a major driver of Medicare spending and adverse outcomes for the 5.3 million elderly Americans with dementia. This is a growing problem given aging and longevity trends. Within the home health care setting, about 3.5 million mostly frail elderly Medicare beneficiaries receive care and 27% are hospitalized annually. Estimates of dementia prevalence range from 31 to 60%, yet little is known about the hospitalization of home health care patients with dementia. This study addresses knowledge gaps on the prevalence, characteristics, hospitalization rate and risk factors of these patients, and explores whether hospitalization risk factors are moderated by dementia. A systematic literature review on hospitalization risk factors in the home health care setting was completed and the findings informed the selection of variables and hypotheses for this study. This was a retrospective cohort study and the sample was patients admitted to one large non-profit home health care agency during 2014 (n=57,888). Data were from the Outcome and Assessment Information Set and other home health agency data captured at the start of care. The conceptual framework guiding the analysis was Andersen’s Behavioral Model of Health Services Use. Because more than half of those who would meet clinical criteria for dementia are undiagnosed, the operational definition of dementia for this study was a diagnosis of dementia or Alzheimer’s disease, or an indication of cognitive impairment in the start of care assessment. Multivariable logistic regression was used to identify characteristics of dementia patients and hospitalization risk factors, and to explore dementia as a moderator of hospitalization risk factors. Prevalence of dementia among the study sample was 41.6%. Consistent with prior studies on the general dementia population, older age, Black and Hispanic race/ethnicity, Medicaid eligibility, fall risk, congregate living, more comorbidities, behavioral symptoms, depression, assistance with activities of daily living, and communication disabilities were associated with dementia. However, contrary to prior studies, serious health status, higher need for assistance with activities of daily living, and higher use of health services were negatively associated with dementia. The hospitalization rate for patients with dementia (12.9%) was significantly higher than the rate for patients without dementia (10.7%). Hospitalization risk factors of dementia patients that were consistent with prior studies among home health patients included male gender, Black race, Medicaid eligibility, number of comorbidities, higher need for assistance with activities of daily living, cardiovascular conditions, dyspnea, cancer, diabetes, renal disease, skin ulcers and higher health services use. The moderator analysis found that dementia attenuated the effect of some hospitalization risk factors and had no effect on others. This study was a first step toward better understanding the characteristics and hospitalization risk factors of home health care patients with dementia. Findings from this research can inform practice, policy and future research on home health care patients with dementia.