Assessment of the responsiveness of a public health service from the perspective of older adults

Abstract

OBJECTIVETo assess the quality of health care of older adults using as a parameter the assessment of the responsiveness of the service.METHODSThis is a descriptive cross-sectional study conducted in a reference unit of the Brazilian Unified Health System at the outpatient level. The sample was probabilistic and had 385 older adults; data collection occurred in 2014. The domains assessed were: choice, autonomy, confidentiality, dignity, communication, physical facilities, and fast service. To this end, we used Pearson correlation test and Fisher’s exact test.RESULTSThe domains of dignity, confidentiality, and communication reached the highest level of adequate responsiveness. On the other hand, freedom of choice and fast service received the worst assessments. Participation in decision-making regarding treatment was significantly lower among the older adults who had no education. In addition, the older adults that self-reported as black receive a lower quality of care regarding clear explanation and respected privacy in the appointment, when compared to users of any other race.CONCLUSIONSAlthough most domains studied have receive a positive assessment, we have found a need for an equal care by the health professionals, regardless of race, education level, or any other adjective characteristic of older adults, users of public health services.

Elementos da Atenção Primária para compreender o acesso aos serviços do SUS diante do autorrelato do usuário

“…Observa-se a qualidade do acesso neste contexto na cidade de Porto Alegre, em relação ao agendamento das consultas para um prazo menor que 1 mês e, também, para consultas no mesmo dia em que o usuário procura o atendimento (demanda espontânea). O atendimento em curto prazo é um elemento de suma importância para qualificação do acesso aos serviços de saúde, porém a insatisfação de usuários em relação a este contexto mostra a necessidade de melhorias neste atributo da atenção primária no Brasil 28,29 .…”

Responsividade dos Centros de Saúde Auditiva de Maceió: Avaliação dos Usuários

“…The data were entered and analyzed in an Excel® 2010 spreadsheet, and the answers were presented in frequency (absolute and relative) in tables after categorization and in graphs. The responses usually and always (3 and 4 points on the scale) were grouped and classified as good responsiveness, whereas the responses never and sometimes (1 and 2 points on the scale) were also grouped and classified as low responsiveness (16) .…”

“…The MCSS instrument has been applied in several countries to varied populations, translated and adapted to several languages and cultures, including Brazilian Portuguese (11)(12)(13)(14)(15)(16)(17)(18) , but no studies addressing people with hearing impairments using this instrument have been conducted in Brazil.…”

Factors associated with the frequency of medical consultations by older adults: a national study

“…The change in the age structure in society due to reduced birth rates and increased life expectancy is not always accompanied by changes which ensure decent conditions during aging (1)(2)(3)(4)(5)(6) . The added amount of years lived has contributed to a higher incidence of diseases (7) , especially chronic non--communicable diseases, which contribute to a worsening in functional disability and compromise the quality of life of older adults (6,8) .…”