Programa de Saúde da Família: uma avaliação de efetividade com base na percepção de usuários

Este artigo apresenta os resultados de uma pesquisa que relaciona a percepção dos usuários sobre a contribuição do Programa de Saúde da Família (PSF), na Unidade Mista de Felipe Camarão, Distrito Oeste de Natal, Rio Grande do Norte, com a evolução dos indicadores de atenção à saúde da criança menor de cinco anos, no período de 2000 a 2004. Inicialmente foi realizado um levantamento de dados sobre a política de saúde implementada, incluindo um perfil dos usuários envolvidos. Depois, uma consulta às estatísticas disponíveis, contidas em documentos oficiais do Ministério da Saúde e da Secretaria Municipal de Saúde de Natal, referentes às ações desenvolvidas na área da saúde da criança no período considerado. Por fim, aplicou-se um questionário de pesquisa social a uma amostra de famílias com crianças menores de cinco anos, cadastradas na unidade mista, para conhecer o seu grau de satisfação com os serviços recebidos. A comparação do nível de satisfação dos usuários com a evolução das estatísticas revelou que as ações de atenção à saúde da criança do PSF, no órgão público considerado, foram transformadoras de atitudes e propulsoras de mudanças sociais.

Analysis of the direct and indirect costs of treatment of imported malaria in the Slovak Republic

This study analyzed the approximate cost of treatment of patients hospitalized with a diagnosis of imported malaria in Slovakia. Between 2003 and 2007, 15 patients with imported malaria were hospitalized. The mean direct cost of the treatment was 970.75 euros and the mean indirect cost was 53.15 euros. For the patient with the highest cost of treatment, the use of mefloquine prophylaxis would have represented only 0.5% of the total direct cost of treating the disease. Despite the partial resistance of plasmodia, malaria chemoprophylaxis is unequivocally a cheaper choice than subsequent treatment of malaria.

Dissolution of Dynamic Electronic Institutions, a first approach: Relevant factors and causes

In the context of the digital business ecosystems, small organizations cooperate between them in order to achieve common goals or offer new services for expanding their markets. There are different approaches for these cooperation models such as virtual enterprises, virtual organizations or dynamic electronic institutions which in their lifecycle have in common a dissolution phase. However this phase has not been studied deeply in the current literature and it lacks formalization. In this paper a first approach for achieving and managing the dissolution phase is proposed, as well as a CBR process in order to support it in a multi-agent system

Expectations of elderly people on the nurse-client relationship and interaction in home care : "When I see the nurse's smiling face it feels likes sunshine on a rainy and gloomy day"

The purpose of the thesis was to explore expectations of elderly people on the nurse-client relationship and interaction in home care. The aim is to improve the quality of care to better meet the needs of the clients. A qualitative approach was adopted. Semi-structured theme interviews were used for data collection. The interviews were conducted during spring 2006. Six elderly clients of a private home care company in Southern Finland acted as informants. Content analysis was used as the method of data analysis. The findings suggest that clients expect nurses to provide professional care with loving-kindness. Trust and mutual, active interaction were expected from the nurse-client relationship. Clients considered it important that the nurse recognizes each client's individual needs. The nurse was expected to perform duties efficiently, but in a calm and unrushed manner. A mechanic performance of tasks was considered negative. Humanity was viewed as a crucial element in the nurse-client relationship. Clients expressed their need to be seen as human beings. Seeing beyond the illness was considered important. A smiling nurse was described to be able to alleviate pain and anxiety. Clients hoped to have a close relationship with the nurse. The development of a close relationship was considered to be more likely if the nurse is familiar and genuine. Clients wish the nurses to have a more attending presence. Clients suggested that the work areas of the nurses could be limited so that they would have more time to transfer from one place to another. Clients felt that they would benefit from this as well. The nurses were expected to be more considerate. Clients wished for more information regarding changes that affect their care. They wished to be informed about changes in schedules and plans. Clients hoped for continuity from the nurse-client relationship. Considering the expectations of clients promotes client satisfaction. Home care providers have an opportunity to reflect their own care behaviour on the findings. To better meet the needs of the clients, nurses could apply the concept of loving-kindness in their work, and strive for a more attending presence.

Germinability of Norway spruce and scots pine pollen exposed to open air

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