[Accomplishment of preventive activities proposed by resident doctors of Family Medicine in Primary Care and its relationship with communication skills]

Aten Primaria. 2019 Nov;51(9):562-570. doi: 10.1016/j.aprim.2018.05.010. Epub 2019 Jun 4.
[Article in Spanish]

Abstract

Objective: To determine the offer of preventive activities by resident physicians of family medicine in the Primary Care consultations and the relation with their communication habilities.

Design: A descriptive multicentre study assessing medical consultations video recording.

Location: Eight Primary Healthcare centres in Jaen (Andalucia).

Participants: Seventy-three resident physicians (4th year) filmed and observed with patients.

Principal measurements: Offer of preventive activities (according to the Spanish Program of Preventive Activities and Health Promotion -PAPPS-). Doctor, patient and consultation characteristics. Peer-review of the communication between physicians and patients, using a CICAA scale. A descriptive, bivariate, logistic regression analysis was performed.

Results: Two hundred and sixty interviews were evaluated (duration 8.5±4.0min) of 73 residents (50.7% women, mean age 32.9±7.7 years, 79% urban environment). The patient is more frequently a woman (60%) who comes alone (72%) due to acute processes (80%) and with 2.1±1.0 demands. Preventive activities are offered in 47% (duration less than one minute) of primary (70%) and secondary (59%) prevention, offered through advice (72%) or screening (52%) and focused on the cardiovascular area (52%) and lifestyles (53%). Eighty percent related to the patient's reason for consultation. Communication skills 41% improvable, 26% adequate, 23% excellent. The offer of preventive activities is related to the duration of the consultation (OR=1.1, 95% CI 1.01; 1.16) and communication skills (OR=1.03, 95% CI 1.01; 1.10).

Conclusions: Preventive activities are carried out in almost half of the consultations, although focused on advice and screening and linked to the patient's demand. Consultation time and communication skills favor a greater preventive offer.

Objetivo: Conocer la oferta de actividades preventivas propuestas por médicos residentes de medicina familiar en la consulta a demanda de Atención Primaria y su relación con las habilidades comunicacionales.

Diseño: Estudio descriptivo multicéntrico mediante videograbación de la consulta médica.

Emplazamiento: Ocho centros de salud de Jaén (Andalucía).

Participantes: Setenta y tres médicos residentes de cuarto año.

Mediciones principales: Se valora la oferta de actividades preventivas (según el Programa español de actividades preventivas y promoción de la salud –PAPPS–) y las características del médico, el paciente y la consulta. Valoración por pares de la comunicación médico-paciente mediante la escala CICAA. Análisis descriptivo, bivariable y de regresión logística.

Resultados: Se valoran 260 entrevistas (duración 8,5 ± 4,0 min) de 73 residentes (50,7% mujeres, edad media 32,9 ± 7,7 años, 79% medio urbano). El paciente es más frecuentemente mujer (60%), que acude sola (72%) por procesos agudos (80%) y con 2,1 ± 1,0 motivos de consulta. Se ofertan actividades preventivas en un 47% (duración inferior al minuto) de tipo primario (70%) y secundario (59%) mediante consejo (72%) o cribado (52%), centradas en el área cardiovascular (52%) y estilos de vida (53%). Un 80% se relaciona con el motivo de consulta. Habilidades en comunicación: 41% mejorables, 26% adecuadas, 23% excelentes. La oferta de actividades preventivas se relaciona con la duración de la consulta (OR = 1,1; IC 95% 1,01; 1,16) y la puntuación del CICAA (OR = 1,03; IC 95% 1,01; 1,10).

Conclusiones: Se realizan actividades preventivas en casi la mitad de las consultas, aunque centradas en consejo y cribado y ligadas a la demanda del paciente. El tiempo de consulta y las habilidades de comunicación favorecen una mayor oferta preventiva.

Keywords: Atención Primaria de Salud; Communication; Comunicación; Disease prevention; Health promotion; Internado y residencia; Internship and residency; Physician-patient relations; Prevención de enfermedades; Primary healthcare; Promoción de la salud; Relaciones médico-paciente.

Publication types

  • Multicenter Study

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Cardiovascular Diseases / prevention & control
  • Communication*
  • Family Practice*
  • Female
  • Health Promotion
  • Humans
  • Internship and Residency*
  • Life Style
  • Logistic Models
  • Male
  • Peer Review
  • Physician-Patient Relations
  • Preventive Medicine*
  • Primary Health Care*
  • Spain
  • Time Factors