Professional competencies in primary health care for attending to older adults

Abstract

RESUMENObjetivo: Identificar y analizar las competencias profesionales necesarias para la atención de ancianos en cuidados primarios de salud. Método: Estudio exploratorio descriptivo cuali-cuantitativo. Fue utilizada la Técnica Delphi en tres rondas, con la participación de profesionales de la red básica y un grupo multidisciplinario de expertos. El primer cuestionario solicitó que los participantes indicasen competencias necesarias para la atención de ancianos en cuidados primarios. Estas fueron compiladas en un listado que, añadido de una Escala de Likert (de 1 a 5), compuso el segundo y tercer cuestionarios. El criterio de consenso adoptado fue el 70%. Resultados: Veintiocho competencias alcanzaron el consenso, habiéndose clasificado en 12 áreas de dominio. Conclusión: Las competencias reflejan las políticas brasileñas de salud y constituyen una referencia para la práctica y la formación de los profesionales de salud para la atención al añoso en la atención primaria a la salud. DESCRIPTORES ABSTRACTObjective: to identify and analyze the necessary competencies in primary health care for attending to older adults. Methods: An exploratory, descriptive, and quali-quantitative study was developed. Three rounds of the Delphi Technique were conducted with participants from primary health care services and a multidisciplinary committee. The first questionnaire asked participants to indicate the competencies needed for attending to older adults in primary health care. They were compiled into a list and added to a Likert Scale (from 1 to 5) for the second and third questionnaires. A consensus criterion of 70% was adopted. Results: Twenty eight competencies were reached by consensus and were classified into twelve domains. Conclusions: the competencies reflect Brazilian health care policy and constitute a reference for professional health practice and education when caring for the older adult in primary health care.

Elder-friendly emergency services in Brazil: necessary conditions for care

“…This sensitization is a major challenge because of the culture of these services, which involves very dynamic processes in which the "priorities" are subject to constant changes in addition to a fast, precise, and efficient assessment (12) . The consensus on the questions involving attitudes such as willingness and patience to listen to the elderly person, tolerance in the face of the difficulties encountered, and a respectful dialog with the elderly individual and his/her family are consistent with the findings in the literature (11,13) .…”

“…The need for interdisciplinary programs of continuing education addressing best practices in aging reaffirms the recommendations found in the literature (5)(6)9,11) . Continuing education is critical for the development and improvement of professional skills while following local agreements on the programs and flows in each city or state to better target the elderly in the referrals that are necessary.…”

“…The questionnaire was divided into two parts. The first had questions related to information about the participants, and the second part was prepared considering national and international recommendations and criteria necessary for improving the care for the elderly in the ES (5)(6)(9)(10)(11) . The questionnaire contained 35 structured questions in four sections based on the central dimensions of an Elder-Friendly Hospital (6) : social climate; policies and procedures; care systems and processes; and physical design.…”

A Look at Professional Education in Health with Emphasis on Aging

“…On the one hand, there is a strong dependence of the elderly population on health services, resulting from the process of demographic transition that occurs not only in Brazil but also in other emerging countries (Russia, India and China, for example), especially in a context of significant social inequality [23,24]. In the pedagogical projects of the courses in the health area, the teaching of health care of the elderly person and the contextualization of the process of human aging are still not very expressive, nor is there a significant offer of qualification processes to qualify the work force in the health services [25].…”

Access for the elderly to primary health care services: an integrative review

“…The elderly face the distancing of the sons (who left home and have their own affairs), the physical and psychological changes that come with aging, disease and death expectancy, which can lead to mental illness and be reflected in your physical state. Therefore, these changes must be identified by health professionals, which will help you to deal with these issues (or forward to another professional most qualified to do so) and promote measures that contribute to their quality of life [48].…”