[From demand to decision: Not programmed contact for adult family medicine]

Tunis Med. 2015 Feb;93(2):92-5.
[Article in Spanish]

Abstract

Background: the study of contact patterns, diagnostics assumptions, physical acts performed and procedures in primary care services orient the training of future GPs.

Aim: describe the elements of the contact in the Basic Health Centers.

Methods: It is a transverse study, describing the elements of contact without appointment, the population served by 4 primary health centers, in Monastir governorate. Days of the survey were identified from the list of working days by taking two weeks per month and per season by excluding the days of chronic diseases. Contacts analyzed have been identified by a systematic random sampling with a step of sounding on two.

Results: in the term of this study, we brought together 910 contacts. The mean age of consultants was 36 years, the sex-ratio H/F 0,38. The respiratory, ostéo-articular, digestive, neurological and general chapter's complaints represented 74% of motives for contacts. The cough and the complaints of throat represented 25% of the reasons for consultation. The lung examination, Oto-rhino laryngeal and cardiovascular represented 80% of physical examinations. The pharyngitis, the infections of the superior respiratory tracts, acute bronchitises, flu and allergic rhinitis represented the half of the assumptions. Antibiotics, anti-inflammatory and the antipyretic/analgesic accounted for 69% of prescriptions.

Conclusion: this study allowed us to show the lack of preventive measures in the health center base and highlight the training of future family physicians must be based systems the most prevalent in primary care.

Publication types

  • English Abstract

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Cross-Sectional Studies
  • Decision Making*
  • Family Practice / statistics & numerical data*
  • Female
  • Health Services Needs and Demand / statistics & numerical data*
  • Humans
  • Male
  • Middle Aged
  • Office Visits / statistics & numerical data*
  • Primary Health Care / statistics & numerical data
  • Referral and Consultation / statistics & numerical data
  • Tunisia / epidemiology