Effectiveness of interventions related to continuity of health care in five Latin America countries
Abstract Background Evaluation of interventions to improve continuity of care across care levels is scarce in Latin America. The Aim to analyse the impact of implemented interventions on the perception of continuity of care of chronic patients in public health care networks of five LA countries (Bra...
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Published in | European journal of public health Vol. 30; no. Supplement_5 |
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Main Authors | , , , , , , , |
Format | Journal Article |
Language | English |
Published |
Oxford
Oxford Publishing Limited (England)
01.09.2020
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Subjects | |
Online Access | Get full text |
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Summary: | Abstract
Background
Evaluation of interventions to improve continuity of care across care levels is scarce in Latin America. The
Aim
to analyse the impact of implemented interventions on the perception of continuity of care of chronic patients in public health care networks of five LA countries (Brazil, Chile, Colombia, Mexico, and Uruguay).
Methods
Quasi-experimental study (controlled before and after design). Comparable networks, one intervention (IN) and one control (CN) were selected in each country. Baseline (2015) and evaluation (2017) surveys were conducted applying CCAENA questionnaire® to a sample of patients with chronic conditions (392/network; 784/country/year). Result variables: information continuity (exchange of clinical information) and clinical management continuity (repetition of exams, accessibility of primary care (PC) and secondary care (SC), perception of agreement between PC and SC doctors and of collaboration between PC and SC doctors. Descriptive analysis were conducted, and chi-square test was calculated to determine significant changes.
Results
An increase in the perception of continuity of information between care levels was observed in the IN of all countries, but Colombia. Clinical management continuity: decrease in the repetition of exams and increase in accessibility of consultation with the specialist in all countries but Mexico. The accessibility of PC doctor decreased in the IN in all countries. No differences in the perception of agreement between PC and SC doctors regarding diagnosis, treatment and recommendations were found. The perception of collaboration between PC and SC doctors increased in the five countries.
Conclusions
Consistent with expected results, the level of perceived information continuity and clinical management continuity increased in the IN, with differences between countries. Further multivariate analyses will be conducted to explore the differences between the IN and CN.
Key messages
Provides a cross-country comparison of the perception of continuity of care in patients with chronic conditions. Contributes to fill the knowledge gap on the effectiveness of participatory interventions improving continuity of care. |
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ISSN: | 1101-1262 1464-360X |
DOI: | 10.1093/eurpub/ckaa166.513 |