Highlights ■ Most referral letters lacked essential clinical information. ■ Lesion size and limits were rarely documented in referrals. ■ High-risk oral lesions often had incomplete documentation. ■ Standardized templates may improve early oral cancer detection. ABSTRACT Objective: In the Brazilian public health system, referral letters, issued by general dentists and physicians who perform initial clinical assessments, is the main source of information in arriving at a final diagnosis. However, the consistency and completeness of the referral letters remain poorly […]

Highlights ■ Utilization scores were higher than accessibility scores in both family health teams and oral health teams. ■ The performance of accessibility was predominantly low in both service modalities. ■ Among oral health teams users, few differences were observed across participant characteristics. ■ Utilization was higher among older, vulnerable, and chronically ill family health teams users. ABSTRACT Objective: In this study, we aimed to evaluate the primary health care attribute of first-contact access from the perspective of users of […]

Highlights ■ Clinical simulations enhance dengue management and  clinical reasoning in undergraduate studies. ■ Mixed methods revealed gaps in physical examinations and  uncertainties in risk classification. ■ Structured debriefing promotes metacognition and critical reflection on errors. ■ Realistic scenarios strengthen empathetic communication  and enhance patient safety. ABSTRACT Objective: To analyze how clinical simulation impacts nursing students’ proficiency in clinical evaluation, decision-making, therapeutic communication, and reporting of dengue fever with warning signs within a primary health care context. Methods: Third-term nursing […]

Highlights ■ A 13-week Tai Chi/Qigong program significantly reducedanxiety and stress in Brazilian patients with diabetes and hypertension. ■ Tai Chi/Qigong offers an effective complementary therapy to improve health outcomes in primary care settings. ■ This study highlights the potential of Tai Chi/Qigong for enhancing mental and physical well-being in chronic disease management. ABSTRACT Objective: This study investigated the effects of Tai Chi/Qigong practice over 13 weeks on anxiety and perceived stress levels in middle-aged or older Brazilian hypertensive and […]

Highlights Herbal medicinal product use was 3.8%, with high formal prescription; however, it is accompanied by a high risk of interactions and redundancy. Unified Health System pharmacies are not the main source of herbal medicinal products, suggesting low service implementation. Women, people with mental disorders, and allopathy simultaneously users should receive attention. Non-white people are less likely to use herbal medicinal product, suggesting inequalities in accessing these treatments. ABSTRACT Objective: To determine the prevalence and factors associated with herbal medicinal […]

Highlights Multicancer early detection panels are novel assays that allow screening for dozens of cancers using a single blood sample. Data on the optimal workflow for ordering, interpreting, and managing subsequent evaluations of multi-cancer early detection results are lacking. Primary care providers expressed concerns about the cost and management of subsequent evaluations for a positive multicancer early detection test. ABSTRACT Objective Multicancer early detection panels have recently become available to patients with healthcare provider prescriptions and available funds. These tests […]

Highlights History of sexually transmitted infections and first sexual intercourse by the age of 15. History of syphilis in the partner, and partners using illicit drugs were all positively associated with gestational syphilis. ABSTRACT Objective To estimate the prevalence of syphilis and its associated factors in women who were treated at public maternity hospitals and received prenatal care in a primary healthcare unit. Methods This cross-sectional study included 399 postpartum women. Interviews were conducted, and additional data were extracted from […]

ABSTRACT Objective To evaluate Primary Health Care attributes and analyze the association between the fulfilment of these attributes and problem-solving capacity of services for elderly patients. Methods A cross-sectional, observational, quantitative study. The Primary Care Assessment Tool, designed to assess Primary Health Care attributes, was employed to evaluate elderly users of Primary Care Units located in the south region of the city of São Paulo (SP). Results Many attributes assessed at the reference services were considered as unsatisfactory by users. […]

ABSTRACT Objective To determine the frequency of drug therapy problems among older adults in Primary Health Care, and to analyze the factors associated with their identification in the initial patient assessment, carried out by pharmacists offering medication therapy management services. Methods A cross-sectional study conducted with data from 758 older adults followed up in medication therapy management services in Primary Health Care in the cities of Belo Horizonte, Betim, and Lagoa Santa (MG, Brazil). Univariate and multivariate analyses were performed […]

ABSTRACT Objective: To analyze the expenses of hospitalizations for ambulatory care sensitive conditions in the Health Regional Offices of the State of São Paulo. Methods: An ecological, retrospective cohort, with analysis of hospital admissions for ambulatory care sensitive conditions in the state of São Paulo, from 2014 to 2018, compiled by the Hospital Information System. Data were extracted using the Tabwin application and analyzed using descriptive statistics. Results: There was a 14.49% reduction in the amount spent on hospitalizations for […]