Thesis (M.S.)--University of Alabama at Birmingham, 2007. / Title from first page of PDF file (viewed on June 26, 2009). Includes bibliographical references.

High blood pressure (BP) is the most significant risk factor for cardiovascular disease and a major contributor to chronic disease burden in the United States. Chronic conditions are the most common reason for office-based physician visits among adults, accounting for 37% of all visits. Home BP monitoring when combined with clinical support may help engagement with care and improve condition control. This study examines the extent to which home BP measurement is associated with total office visits among Medicare beneficiaries with self-reported high BP and the influence by other related factors. The 2018 Medicare Current Beneficiary Survey (MCBS) was used in the study. The study population consists of Medicare beneficiaries (n=4,456) with self-reported high BP who had at least one total office visit in the year. Total office visits served as the outcome and were dichotomized to low (1-5 visits) and high (greater than 5 visits), while self-reported home BP measurement was the primary independent variable. Andersen’s conceptual framework was used to establish the co-variates [Predisposing factors: age, gender, race, education; Enabling factors: insurance plan (Medicare Advantage, MA), income, patients’ satisfaction (a. quality, b. information); Individual needs: smoking, BMI; Environment: region]. Bivariate analysis using a chi-square test for independence, unadjusted and adjusted logistic regression was conducted using SAS v 9.4. Of the study population, 57.9% reported measuring blood pressure at home. Approximately 95.6% and 94.2% of beneficiaries were satisfied with the quality of care received and information about their symptoms respectively. Bivariate analysis showed a significant relationship between total office visits and home BP measurement (p<0.05). Unadjusted logistic regression results noted that those who reported home BP measurement had increased odds of high total office visits [uOR: 1.17 (1.02-1.33)]. This relationship was slightly increased in the adjusted analysis when accounting for other factors of interest [aOR:1.22 (1.06- 1.40)]. Those aged 65-74 years had reduced odds [aOR: 0.77 (0.61 -0.98)], females had increased odds [aOR: 1.38 (1.19 – 1.61)], and those with higher education had increased odds [aOR: 1.41 (1.14 -1.75)] of high total office visits. Those not enrolled in MA [aOR: 3.37 (2.31- 4.90)] and those who earn $25,000 or more [aOR: 1.23 (1.04 -1.45)] had increased odds of high total office visits. Those who have never smoked [aOR: 0.81 (0.69-0.94)] and those from the non-metro region [aOR: 0.65 (0.56-0.76)] had reduced odds of high total office visits. We conclude that those who engage in home BP monitoring are more likely to have a high number of total office visits. The use of home BP monitoring could reflect the severity of high BP suggesting the need for regular follow-up and frequent use of services. Further studies that explore this association are recommended.

Bakgrund Hög andel sena återbud och uteblivna besök, är ett problem vid psykiatriska kliniker och orsakar effektivitetsbrister då tillgängliga resurser inte används optimalt. Fysiska besök och telefonkontakter behöver kompletteras med fler mötesformer för att bättre möta patientens behov och öka tillgängligheten. Syfte Syfte och övergripande mål med förbättringsarbetet var att öka tillgängligheten till psykiatrisk öppenvård genom att erbjuda digitala vårdmöten. Syftet med studien av förbättringsarbetet var att identifiera erfarenheter från förbättringsarbetet som kan användas som lärdomar i fortsatt verksamhetsutveckling. Metod Nolans förbättringsmodell har används i förbättringsarbetet. Studien är en fallstudie, inspirerad av interaktiv ansats med kvalitativ metod. Resultat Genom utveckling och genomförande av 20 digitala vårdmöten är lärdomarna att digitala vårdmöten är ett komplement till besök på mottagning och att digital teknik stödjer arbetsprocessen. Studiens resultat visar att ledningen, strukturer och medarbetares delaktighet är centrala vid kvalitetsförbättringar. Slutsatser Inställning till patientens kapacitet och digital teknik är central för att erbjuda mötesformen. Tekniska lösningar måste vara lättillgängliga. För att dela kunskap, öka tryggheten i det nya sättet att mötas och undanröja hinder som uppstår är arbetsmöten viktiga. Ledningen utgör en central roll för att påverka förbättringskulturen och de värderingar och mönster som finns i verksamheten.

Introdução: A infecção pelo vírus da Hepatite B (HBV) é um grande problema de saúde pública, uma vez que cerca de 257 milhões de pessoas em todo o mundo são acometidas pelo vírus. Mundialmente, devido ao grande movimento migratório, descrevem-se mudanças no perfil dos pacientes portadores de HBV. Desta forma, objetivamos caracterizar a população de pacientes portadores HBV atendidos no ambulatório A2MG404 de Hepatites Virais do HC-FMUSP. Métodos: Este foi um estudo retrospectivo descritivo de 617 novos pacientes com exames sorológicos positivos para HBV, em seguimento no ambulatório A2MG404 entre janeiro de 2005 e dezembro de 2015. Dados demográficos, epidemiológicos e clínicos foram obtidos de prontuários eletrônicos institucionais (SIGH-PRODESP, HCMED e ProntMed). A coleta e gerenciamento de dados foi realizada utilizando o software on-line REDCap (V6.16.4). A análise estatística foi realizada utilizando o software R (V3.3.0). O teste de Shapiro-Wilk foi utilizado para testar a normalidade dos dados; dados não paramétricos foram comparados utilizando-se o teste de Wilcoxon-Mann-Whitney; as proporções entre populações foram comparadas utilizando-se o Teste Z. Foram considerados estatisticamente significativos valores de p < 0,05. Resultados: Foi observada predominância do sexo masculino (60,9%); mediana de idade de 48 anos; raça branca (70,8%) e nível de escolaridade baixo [ensino fundamental completo (37,4%)] entre os pacientes. A maioria deles eram brasileiros (93,5%), residentes no estado de São Paulo (98,4%), principalmente na cidade de São Paulo (63,6%). Pacientes residentes em outros estados do Brasil também foram atendidos no serviço (1,6%), bem como estrangeiros (6,5%). Coinfecção por HCV foi identificada em 7,8% dos pacientes; e por HIV em 1,3% destes. De base, 109/617 (17,66%) pacientes eram AgHBe positivo [infecção crônica: 42/617 (6,8%); hepatite crônica: 67/617 (10,8%)]; 350/617 (56,72%) pacientes eram AgHBe negativo [infecção crônica: 290/617 (47,0%); hepatite crônica: 60/617 (9,7%)]; 104/617 (16,9%) pacientes eram Anti-HBc Total e Anti-HBs positivos; 49/617 (8,0%) pacientes eram Anti-HBc Total isolado; e 5/617 (0,8%) pacientes eram portadores de perfil sorológico anômalo da hepatite B. Entre o início e término de seguimento foram observados diminuição significativa dos valores de ALT, AST, APRI, carga viral (p < 0,001), hemoglobina (p=0,007) e bilirrubina total (p=0,011), bem como aumento significativo de bilirrubina direta e INR (p < 0,001). O FIB-4 não apresentou diferença estatisticamente significativa no mesmo intervalo. A análise mostra que 30,3% dos pacientes receberam tratamento com antivirais, sendo Tenofovir (28,3%) o mais prescrito, seguido de Lamivudina (19,8%), Tenofovir+Lamivudina (19,8%) e Entecavir (19,2%). Entecavir apresentou a maior taxa de soroconversão de AgHBe (6/9; 66,66%), enquanto que Lamivudina apresentou a maior taxa para AgHBs (5/30; 16,66%). Tenofovir possui maior potencial para redução de carga viral, aumento de plaquetas e melhora de enzimas hepáticas do que Lamivudina e Entecavir (p < 0,05). No total, foram realizadas 5412 consultas médicas, sendo a maioria delas do tipo \"seguimento\" (85,8%). Faltas foram registradas em 11,9% das consultas médicas agendadas no período. Conclusões: A população atendida no serviço é heterogênea, com representação de diferentes sexos, etnias, faixas etárias e nacionalidades; ao menos 14 nacionalidades representadas, refletindo o fenômeno da migração observado globalmente. São necessárias ações educacionais para promoção da adesão aos cuidados médicos adequados / Background: Hepatitis B virus (HBV) is a major public health problem with significant burden across all global regions, once they affect about 250 million people around the world. Worldwide, due to the great migratory movement, changes were described in the profile of patients with hepatitis B. In this way, we aimed to characterize the population of patients with chronic hepatitis B seen in the ambulatory A2MG404 of Viral Hepatitis of HC-FMUSP. Methods: This was a retrospective descriptive study of 617 new patients with positive serological tests results for HBV, followed up in the A2MG404 ambulatory between January 2005 and December 2015. Demographic, epidemiological and clinical data were obtained from institutional electronic medical records (SIGH-PRODESP, HCMED and ProntMed). Data collection and management was performed using REDCap online software (V6.16.4). Statistical analysis was performed using R software (V3.3.0). Shapiro-Wilk Test was used to test the normality of the data; non-parametric data were compared using Wilcoxon-Mann-Whitney Test; proportions among populations were compared using the Z-Test. Values of p < 0.05 were considered statistically significant. Results: Male predominance (60.9%); median age of 48 years; white race (70.8%) and low educational level (37.4%) was observed among the patients. Most of them were Brazilian (93.5%), living in the State of São Paulo (98.4%), mainly in the city of São Paulo (63.6%). Patients living in other Brazilian states were also assisted in the service (1.6%), as well as foreigners (6.5%). HCV coinfection were identified in 7.8% of patients; and HIV in 1.3% of these. At baseline, 109/617 (17.66%) patients were HBeAg positive [chronic infection: 42/617 (6.8%); chronic hepatitis: 67/617 (10.8%)]; 350/617 (56.72%) patients were HBeAg negative [chronic infection: 290/617 (47.0%); chronic hepatitis: 60/617 (9.7%)]; 104/617 (16.9%) patients were Total Anti-HBc and Anti-HBs positive; 49/617 (8.0%) patients were Anti-HBc Total isolated; and 5/617 (0.8%) patients had anomalous serological profile of hepatitis B. Significant decrease in ALT, AST, APRI, viral load (p < 0.001), hemoglobin (p = 0.007) and total bilirubin (p = 0.011); as well as significant increase of direct bilirubin and INR (p < 0.001) of patients were observed during the follow-up. FIB-4 score didn\'t present a statistically significant difference in the same interval. The analysis shows that 30.3% of the patients received antiviral treatment, being Tenofovir (28.3%) the most prescribed, followed by Lamivudine (19.8%), Tenofovir+Lamivudine (19.8%) and Entecavir (19.2%). Entecavir presented the highest HBeAg seroconversion rate (6/9; 66.66%), whereas Lamivudine presented the highest rate for HBsAg (5/30, 16.66%). Tenofovir has greater potential for viral load reduction, platelet increase, and hepatic enzymes normalization than Lamivudine and Entecavir (p < 0.05). In total, 5412 medical appointment were performed, most of them was classified as \"follow up\" type (85.8%). Absences were recorded in 11.9% of the medical appointments scheduled in the period. Conclusions: The population served in the service is heterogeneous, with representation of different genders, ethnicities, age groups and nationalities. In it, at least 14 nationalities are represented, reflecting the phenomenon of immigration observed worldwide. Educational actions are required to promote adherence to the necessary medical care for these patients

Introdução: A infecção pelo vírus da Hepatite B (HBV) é um grande problema de saúde pública, uma vez que cerca de 257 milhões de pessoas em todo o mundo são acometidas pelo vírus. Mundialmente, devido ao grande movimento migratório, descrevem-se mudanças no perfil dos pacientes portadores de HBV. Desta forma, objetivamos caracterizar a população de pacientes portadores HBV atendidos no ambulatório A2MG404 de Hepatites Virais do HC-FMUSP. Métodos: Este foi um estudo retrospectivo descritivo de 617 novos pacientes com exames sorológicos positivos para HBV, em seguimento no ambulatório A2MG404 entre janeiro de 2005 e dezembro de 2015. Dados demográficos, epidemiológicos e clínicos foram obtidos de prontuários eletrônicos institucionais (SIGH-PRODESP, HCMED e ProntMed). A coleta e gerenciamento de dados foi realizada utilizando o software on-line REDCap (V6.16.4). A análise estatística foi realizada utilizando o software R (V3.3.0). O teste de Shapiro-Wilk foi utilizado para testar a normalidade dos dados; dados não paramétricos foram comparados utilizando-se o teste de Wilcoxon-Mann-Whitney; as proporções entre populações foram comparadas utilizando-se o Teste Z. Foram considerados estatisticamente significativos valores de p < 0,05. Resultados: Foi observada predominância do sexo masculino (60,9%); mediana de idade de 48 anos; raça branca (70,8%) e nível de escolaridade baixo [ensino fundamental completo (37,4%)] entre os pacientes. A maioria deles eram brasileiros (93,5%), residentes no estado de São Paulo (98,4%), principalmente na cidade de São Paulo (63,6%). Pacientes residentes em outros estados do Brasil também foram atendidos no serviço (1,6%), bem como estrangeiros (6,5%). Coinfecção por HCV foi identificada em 7,8% dos pacientes; e por HIV em 1,3% destes. De base, 109/617 (17,66%) pacientes eram AgHBe positivo [infecção crônica: 42/617 (6,8%); hepatite crônica: 67/617 (10,8%)]; 350/617 (56,72%) pacientes eram AgHBe negativo [infecção crônica: 290/617 (47,0%); hepatite crônica: 60/617 (9,7%)]; 104/617 (16,9%) pacientes eram Anti-HBc Total e Anti-HBs positivos; 49/617 (8,0%) pacientes eram Anti-HBc Total isolado; e 5/617 (0,8%) pacientes eram portadores de perfil sorológico anômalo da hepatite B. Entre o início e término de seguimento foram observados diminuição significativa dos valores de ALT, AST, APRI, carga viral (p < 0,001), hemoglobina (p=0,007) e bilirrubina total (p=0,011), bem como aumento significativo de bilirrubina direta e INR (p < 0,001). O FIB-4 não apresentou diferença estatisticamente significativa no mesmo intervalo. A análise mostra que 30,3% dos pacientes receberam tratamento com antivirais, sendo Tenofovir (28,3%) o mais prescrito, seguido de Lamivudina (19,8%), Tenofovir+Lamivudina (19,8%) e Entecavir (19,2%). Entecavir apresentou a maior taxa de soroconversão de AgHBe (6/9; 66,66%), enquanto que Lamivudina apresentou a maior taxa para AgHBs (5/30; 16,66%). Tenofovir possui maior potencial para redução de carga viral, aumento de plaquetas e melhora de enzimas hepáticas do que Lamivudina e Entecavir (p < 0,05). No total, foram realizadas 5412 consultas médicas, sendo a maioria delas do tipo \"seguimento\" (85,8%). Faltas foram registradas em 11,9% das consultas médicas agendadas no período. Conclusões: A população atendida no serviço é heterogênea, com representação de diferentes sexos, etnias, faixas etárias e nacionalidades; ao menos 14 nacionalidades representadas, refletindo o fenômeno da migração observado globalmente. São necessárias ações educacionais para promoção da adesão aos cuidados médicos adequados / Background: Hepatitis B virus (HBV) is a major public health problem with significant burden across all global regions, once they affect about 250 million people around the world. Worldwide, due to the great migratory movement, changes were described in the profile of patients with hepatitis B. In this way, we aimed to characterize the population of patients with chronic hepatitis B seen in the ambulatory A2MG404 of Viral Hepatitis of HC-FMUSP. Methods: This was a retrospective descriptive study of 617 new patients with positive serological tests results for HBV, followed up in the A2MG404 ambulatory between January 2005 and December 2015. Demographic, epidemiological and clinical data were obtained from institutional electronic medical records (SIGH-PRODESP, HCMED and ProntMed). Data collection and management was performed using REDCap online software (V6.16.4). Statistical analysis was performed using R software (V3.3.0). Shapiro-Wilk Test was used to test the normality of the data; non-parametric data were compared using Wilcoxon-Mann-Whitney Test; proportions among populations were compared using the Z-Test. Values of p < 0.05 were considered statistically significant. Results: Male predominance (60.9%); median age of 48 years; white race (70.8%) and low educational level (37.4%) was observed among the patients. Most of them were Brazilian (93.5%), living in the State of São Paulo (98.4%), mainly in the city of São Paulo (63.6%). Patients living in other Brazilian states were also assisted in the service (1.6%), as well as foreigners (6.5%). HCV coinfection were identified in 7.8% of patients; and HIV in 1.3% of these. At baseline, 109/617 (17.66%) patients were HBeAg positive [chronic infection: 42/617 (6.8%); chronic hepatitis: 67/617 (10.8%)]; 350/617 (56.72%) patients were HBeAg negative [chronic infection: 290/617 (47.0%); chronic hepatitis: 60/617 (9.7%)]; 104/617 (16.9%) patients were Total Anti-HBc and Anti-HBs positive; 49/617 (8.0%) patients were Anti-HBc Total isolated; and 5/617 (0.8%) patients had anomalous serological profile of hepatitis B. Significant decrease in ALT, AST, APRI, viral load (p < 0.001), hemoglobin (p = 0.007) and total bilirubin (p = 0.011); as well as significant increase of direct bilirubin and INR (p < 0.001) of patients were observed during the follow-up. FIB-4 score didn\'t present a statistically significant difference in the same interval. The analysis shows that 30.3% of the patients received antiviral treatment, being Tenofovir (28.3%) the most prescribed, followed by Lamivudine (19.8%), Tenofovir+Lamivudine (19.8%) and Entecavir (19.2%). Entecavir presented the highest HBeAg seroconversion rate (6/9; 66.66%), whereas Lamivudine presented the highest rate for HBsAg (5/30, 16.66%). Tenofovir has greater potential for viral load reduction, platelet increase, and hepatic enzymes normalization than Lamivudine and Entecavir (p < 0.05). In total, 5412 medical appointment were performed, most of them was classified as \"follow up\" type (85.8%). Absences were recorded in 11.9% of the medical appointments scheduled in the period. Conclusions: The population served in the service is heterogeneous, with representation of different genders, ethnicities, age groups and nationalities. In it, at least 14 nationalities are represented, reflecting the phenomenon of immigration observed worldwide. Educational actions are required to promote adherence to the necessary medical care for these patients