Main reasons for medical consultations in family healthcare units in the city of Recife, Brazil: a cross-sectional study

Abstract

CONTEXT AND OBJECTIVE: Only a few studies have focused on the main reasons for consultations at primary healthcare units within the Family Health Program. The aim here was to describe the reasons that led patients to seek assistance at four primary healthcare units in the city of Recife, Brazil. DESIGN AND SETTING: Cross-sectional study at primary healthcare units in the city of Recife. METHODS: Among adult patients who were consecutively attended at four primary healthcare units in the city of Recife, their two main reasons for going there were recorded by medical students. The students did not interfere in the consultation dynamics. The data were gathered between September 2010 and March 2011 and between November 2012 and August 2013. The reasons for the consultations were grouped into broader categories in accordance with the International Classification of Primary Care (ICPC-2). RESULTS: 478 patients were included. Their mean age was 45.9 years (± 16 years) and 71% were female. Pain was the main reason for seeking medical attention (34%), followed by evaluation of tests, prescription renewal and medical certificates (17.6%). The most frequent types of pain were musculoskeletal pain (15.7%), headache (10.4%) and abdominal pain (8%). The main reasons for consultation according to ICPC-2 were in the general and nonspecific, musculoskeletal, nervous system-related and digestive tract categories. CONCLUSION: Pain was the most frequent reason for seeking medical attendance at these primary healthcare units. Os estudantes não interferiram na dinâmica da consulta. A coleta de dados ocorreu entre setembro de 2010 e março de 2011 e entre novembro de 2012 e agosto de 2013. As razões para as consultas foram agrupadas em categorias mais amplas de acordo com a Classificação Internacional da Atenção Primária (ICPC-2). RESULTADOS: 478 pacientes foram incluídos, a idade média foi de 45,9 anos (± 16 anos), 71% eram do sexo feminino. A dor foi a principal razão para procura de atendimento médico (34%), seguida por avaliação de exames, renovação de receitas ou atestados médicos (17,6%). A dor musculoesquelética foi a mais frequente (15,7%), seguida por cefaleia (10,4%) e dor abdominal (8%). As principais causas de atendimento foram gerais e não específicas, musculoesqueléticas, relacionadas ao sistema nervoso e ao aparelho digestivo (ICPC-2). CONCLUSÃO: A dor foi o motivo mais frequente para procurar atendimento médico nas unidades básicas de saúde. RESUMO

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