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Worldwide, there are an insufficient number of primary care physicians to provide accessible, high-quality primary care services. Better knowledge on the health impacts of policies aimed at improving access to primary care physicians is important for informing future policies. Using a generalised synthetic control estimator (GSC), we estimate the effect of the increase in primary care physicians from the Programa Mais Médicos in Brazil. The GSC allows us to estimates a continuous treatment effects which are heterogenous by region. We exploit the variation in physicians allocated to each Brazilian microregion to identify the impact of an increasing Mais Médicos primary care physicians. We explore hospitalisations and mortality rates (both total and from ambulatory care sensitive conditions) as outcomes. Our analysis differs from previous work by estimating the impact of the increase in physician numbers, as opposed to the overall impact of programme participation. We examine the impact on hospitalisations and mortality rates and employ a panel dataset with monthly observations of all Brazilian microregion over the period 2008-2017. We find limited effects of an increase in primary care physicians impacting health outcomes - with no significant impact of the Programa Mais Médicos on hospitalisations or mortality rates. Potential explanations include substitution of other health professionals, impacts materialising over the longer-term, and poor within-region allocation of Mais Médicos physicians.

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BACKGROUND: Leprosy is a chronic infection with high morbidity in Brazil. Primary care physicians' lack of knowledge about the disease may play a significant role in underdiagnosis. This study aimed to assess primary care physicians' ability to identify typical leprosy skin lesions and their knowledge of the subject. METHODS: This cross-sectional study relied on a questionnaire in which participating doctors chose one main diagnostic hypothesis and two differential diagnoses for each skin lesion presented. Five leprosy lesions were included. Questions regarding management, follow-up, and diagnostic workup for the disease were also included. The questionnaire was sent to primary care physicians working in Curitiba, in the Southern Brazilian state of Paraná, and dermatologists, who constituted the control group. RESULTS: Thirty-two primary care physicians and 26 dermatologists agreed to participate in the study. Primary care physicians accurately identified a mean of 1.8 ± 1.2 of the five leprosy skin lesions, while dermatologists accurately identified 2.5 ± 0.9 (P = 0.009). The main misdiagnosed leprosy forms were the lepromatous and histoid variants. Among primary care physicians, 56.2% claimed to have little knowledge of the subject and a large share of participants was unaware of recent updates in treating paucibacillary forms, even within the dermatologist subgroup. CONCLUSIONS: Primary care physicians in Curitiba have little information regarding the diagnosis, treatment, and follow-up of leprosy. Even dermatologists had difficulties with treatment and patient management, emphasizing the constant need for education on this subject.

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Introdução: O Echo WISELY Trial é um estudo controlado, randomizado, multicêntrico, cego pelo investigador, que avaliou uma intervenção educacional com base nos critérios de uso apropriado para ecocardiografia para redução da proporção de ecocardiogramas raramente apropriados realizados ambulatorialmente. Objetivo: Descrever a prevalência e identificar preditores de responsividade de médicos respondedores submetidos à intervenção educacional no Echo WISELY Trial. Métodos: Médicos do grupo intervenção receberam um programa educacional multifacetado. O médico respondedor foi definido como aquele que apresentou redução >2,5% na média proporcional de exames raramente apropriados solicitados entre o primeiro trimestre (linha de base) e qualquer um dos seguintes trimestres (segundo ao sexto). Foram comparadas as características do médico (sexo, tempo de formação, especialidade médica e local de trabalho) com as classificações dos ecocardiogramas (apropriado, talvez apropriado e raramente apropriado) e razões clínicas para ecocardiogramas solicitados utilizando teste do qui-quadrado. A significância estatística foi indicada por p < 0,05 bicaudal. Resultados: Foram analisados 4.605 exames solicitados nos seis hospitais participantes de Ontário e randomizados para o braço intervenção. Dentre os 36 médicos incluídos, 26 (72%) foram classificados como respondedores. Entre as variáveis analisadas, não houve diferença significativa entre médicos respondedores e não respondedores à intervenção educacional. O número de exames raramente apropriados solicitados pelos respondedores foi significativamente menor que o de não respondedores (234; 8,67% versus 261; 13,8%; p < 0,0001). Conclusão: A prevalência de médicos respondedores é alta, porém não foram identificados preditores de responsividade à intervenção educacional entre as variáveis analisadas. Isso pode decorrer de aspectos psicológicos e características pessoais dos médicos, que não foram incluídos nesta pesquisa.(AU)

Introduction: The Echo WISELY Trial is a controlled randomized multicenter investigator-blinded study that evaluated an educational intervention based on the criteria for appropriate use of echocardiography to reduce the proportion of rarely appropriate outpatient echocardiograms performed. Objective: To describe the prevalence and identify predictors of the responsiveness of responding physicians subjected to an educational intervention in the Echo WISELY Trial. Methods: The intervention group physicians received a multifaceted educational program. A responding physician was defined as one who had a >2.5% reduction in the proportional mean of rarely appropriate tests requested between the first trimester (baseline) and any of the following trimesters (second to sixth). Physician characteristics (sex, time since graduation, medical specialty, and workplace) were compared to the echocardiogram ratings (appropriate, maybe appropriate, and rarely appropriate) and clinical reasons for the requested echocardiograms using the chi-square test. Statistical significance was indicated by a two-tailed p < 0.05. Results: A total of 4,605 tests requested at the six participating hospitals in Ontario were analyzed and randomized for the intervention arm Of the 36 included physicians, 26 (72%) were classified as responders. Of the variables analyzed, there was no significant difference in the outcomes of the responders versus non-responders to the educational intervention. The number of rarely appropriate tests requested by the responders was significantly lower than that of the non-responders (234 [8.67%] versus 261 [13.8%]; p < 0.0001). Conclusion: The prevalence of responder physicians was high, but predictors of responsiveness to educational intervention were not identified among the analyzed variables. This may be a result of the psychological aspects and personal characteristics of the physicians, which were not included in this research. (AU)

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OBJECTIVES: To analyze if primary and specialized care physicians know and use care coordination mechanisms between healthcare levels. METHODS: Cross-sectional survey study, with the application of the COORDENA-BR instrument to primary and specialized care physicians in a public heathcare network, medium-sized municipality, from June to October 2019. The questionnaire addresses knowledge, frequency of sending and receiving, purpose, characteristics and difficulties in using feedback or mutual adaptation and standardization mechanisms to promote coordination of care service between healthcare levels. RESULTS: Feedback instruments such as referral and reply letters, hospital discharge report and WhatsApp are widely known by professionals of both levels, without significant differences. Clinical sessions and protocols are not well-known, especially in specialized care, which supposes a low usage of standardization mechanisms to a better coordination between the healthcare levels. Despite being well-known and easy, traditional feedback instruments such as referral and reply letters are not widely used. Fewer physicians knew the protocols, mainly in specialized care. They pointed difficulties in their application, such as insufficient exams and unavailable supplies in the healthcare network. Clinical sessions were unknown and registered low participation frequency. Care overload, low institutionalization and time constraints were barriers identified for the incorporation of care coordination mechanisms in the work process in primary and specialized care, in addition to those related to the provision of health services in the network. CONCLUSION: We conclude the fragmentation of the system and care can be faced in the complementarity of measures that make it possible to know the mechanisms, develop professional skills, institutionalize and promote organizational conditions for the effective use of coordination mechanisms throughout the healthcare network.

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Resumen Introducción: Es importante conocer y evaluar la experiencia y el conocimiento de los pediatras de atención primaria del Principado de Asturias (España) sobre los cuidados paliativos pediátricos. Métodos: Se llevó a cabo un estudio descriptivo y transversal mediante un cuestionario dirigido a los pediatras de atención primaria del Principado de Asturias entre mayo y junio de 2018. Resultados: El 77% de los participantes no poseía formación previa y el 100% consideró que sus conocimientos en cuanto al tema no eran adecuados, a pesar de que el 37% había atendido en alguna ocasión a pacientes subsidiarios de este tipo de cuidados. Casi la totalidad de los encuestados (97%) consideraron necesaria la creación de una unidad de cuidados paliativos pediátricos. Conclusiones: El conocimiento del pediatra de atención primaria del Principado de Asturias con respecto a los cuidados paliativos pediátricos es muy escaso en una región en la que no se dispone de una unidad pediátrica exclusiva. Sería interesante aprovechar la gran disposición de este grupo de profesionales para mejorar su formación, además de incorporar la materia en facultades y en la formación del médico interno residente.

Abstract Background: To know and assess the experience and knowledge among primary care pediatricians about pediatric palliative care in the Principality of Asturias (Spain). Methods: A descriptive and cross-sectional analysis was conducted using a survey among primary care pediatricians in the Principality of Asturias between May and June 2018. Results: The majority of participants (77%) did not receive previous training, and 100% considered that their knowledge on the subject was insufficient, although 37% had occasionally attended to palliative care patients. Almost all participants (97%) considered that a pediatric palliative care unit is necessary. Conclusions: The knowledge of primary care pediatricians about pediatric palliative care is deficient in the Principality of Asturias, a region where no exclusive pediatric unit exists. It would be interesting to seize the opportunity to improve the training of these pediatricians, given their great willingness, and to incorporating the subject into colleges and medical intern formation as well.

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Background: To know and assess the experience and knowledge among primary care pediatricians about pediatric palliative care in the Principality of Asturias (Spain). Methods: A descriptive and cross-sectional analysis was conducted using a survey among primary care pediatricians in the Principality of Asturias between May and June 2018. Results: The majority of participants (77%) did not receive previous training, and 100% considered that their knowledge on the subject was insufficient, although 37% had occasionally attended to palliative care patients. Almost all participants (97%) considered that a pediatric palliative care unit is necessary. Conclusions: The knowledge of primary care pediatricians about pediatric palliative care is deficient in the Principality of Asturias, a region where no exclusive pediatric unit exists. It would be interesting to seize the opportunity to improve the training of these pediatricians, given their great willingness, and to incorporating the subject into colleges and medical intern formation as well.

Introducción: Es importante conocer y evaluar la experiencia y el conocimiento de los pediatras de atención primaria del Principado de Asturias (España) sobre los cuidados paliativos pediátricos. Métodos: Se llevó a cabo un estudio descriptivo y transversal mediante un cuestionario dirigido a los pediatras de atención primaria del Principado de Asturias entre mayo y junio de 2018. Resultados: El 77% de los participantes no poseía formación previa y el 100% consideró que sus conocimientos en cuanto al tema no eran adecuados, a pesar de que el 37% había atendido en alguna ocasión a pacientes subsidiarios de este tipo de cuidados. Casi la totalidad de los encuestados (97%) consideraron necesaria la creación de una unidad de cuidados paliativos pediátricos. Conclusiones: El conocimiento del pediatra de atención primaria del Principado de Asturias con respecto a los cuidados paliativos pediátricos es muy escaso en una región en la que no se dispone de una unidad pediátrica exclusiva. Sería interesante aprovechar la gran disposición de este grupo de profesionales para mejorar su formación, además de incorporar la materia en facultades y en la formación del médico interno residente.

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BACKGROUND: An introductory acupuncture course has been offered to primary health care physicians and family medicine residents in southern Brazil since 2011. OBJECTIVE: To analyze the profile of acupuncture utilization of primary care physicians who completed an introductory course of acupuncture between 2011 and 2018. METHOD: A survey using an electronic questionnaire was sent to all 119 physicians who completed the course. RESULTS: Fifty-five physicians answered the questionnaire. The majority of them reported continuation of the practice of acupuncture in scheduled appointments and on spontaneous demand. The most commonly used principles of point selection were traditional acupuncture point function, myofascial trigger point needling and point protocols. As barriers to the practice of acupuncture, time limitation and inadequate physical space were predominant. The participants described the problem-solving potential of the procedure and good patient acceptance as facilitators. The most common problems treated with acupuncture were musculoskeletal pain, and mood and anxiety disorders. A reduction in referrals to specialists and reduced prescription of pain medications were also reported. Most physicians answered that they often combined acupuncture with other medications or associated acupuncture with other complementary practices. The main adverse events reported by the participants were vascular trauma and fainting. CONCLUSION: Most primary care physicians who completed the introductory course and answered the survey still used acupuncture in their routine, primarily for the management of musculoskeletal conditions and mental health conditions. These physicians reported reductions in specialist referrals and prescription of pain medication after integrating basic acupuncture skills into primary care practice.

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ABSTRACT OBJECTIVES: To analyze if primary and specialized care physicians know and use care coordination mechanisms between healthcare levels. METHODS: Cross-sectional survey study, with the application of the COORDENA-BR instrument to primary and specialized care physicians in a public heathcare network, medium-sized municipality, from June to October 2019. The questionnaire addresses knowledge, frequency of sending and receiving, purpose, characteristics and difficulties in using feedback or mutual adaptation and standardization mechanisms to promote coordination of care service between healthcare levels. RESULTS: Feedback instruments such as referral and reply letters, hospital discharge report and WhatsApp are widely known by professionals of both levels, without significant differences. Clinical sessions and protocols are not well-known, especially in specialized care, which supposes a low usage of standardization mechanisms to a better coordination between the healthcare levels. Despite being well-known and easy, traditional feedback instruments such as referral and reply letters are not widely used. Fewer physicians knew the protocols, mainly in specialized care. They pointed difficulties in their application, such as insufficient exams and unavailable supplies in the healthcare network. Clinical sessions were unknown and registered low participation frequency. Care overload, low institutionalization and time constraints were barriers identified for the incorporation of care coordination mechanisms in the work process in primary and specialized care, in addition to those related to the provision of health services in the network. CONCLUSION: We conclude the fragmentation of the system and care can be faced in the complementarity of measures that make it possible to know the mechanisms, develop professional skills, institutionalize and promote organizational conditions for the effective use of coordination mechanisms throughout the healthcare network.

RESUMO OBJETIVOS: Analisar se médicos da atenção primária à saúde e da atenção especializada conhecem e utilizam mecanismos de coordenação do cuidado entre níveis assistenciais. MÉTODOS: Estudo transversal, do tipo inquérito, com aplicação do instrumento COORDENA-BR a médicos da atenção primária e da atenção especializada da rede pública de um município de médio porte, no período de junho a outubro de 2019. Foi abordado o conhecimento, frequência de envio e recebimento, finalidade, características e dificuldades para a utilização dos mecanismos de feedback ou adaptação mútua e de padronização para promoção de coordenação do cuidado entre níveis assistenciais. RESULTADOS: Instrumentos de feedback como formulários de referência e contrarreferência, resumo de alta hospitalar e WhatsApp são amplamente conhecidos por profissionais dos dois níveis, sem diferenças significativas. Sessões clínicas e protocolos são pouco reconhecidos, sobretudo na atenção especializada, o que pressupõe baixa utilização de mecanismos de padronização para obtenção de maior coordenação do cuidado entre níveis assistenciais. Apesar do elevado reconhecimento e facilidade de uso, instrumentos de feedback tradicionais como guias de referência e contrarreferência não são amplamente utilizados. Menor frequência de médicos conhecia os protocolos, principalmente na atenção especializada, e destacaram dificuldades para sua aplicação, como insuficiência de exames e indisponibilidade de insumos na rede. As sessões clínicas eram pouco conhecidas e tinham baixa frequência de participação. Pressão assistencial, baixa institucionalização e falta de tempo foram barreiras identificadas para a incorporação dos mecanismos de coordenação do cuidado ao processo de trabalho na atenção primária e especializada, além daquelas relacionadas à oferta de serviços na rede. CONCLUSÃO: Argumenta-se que a fragmentação do sistema e dos cuidados poderá ser enfrentada na complementariedade de medidas que possibilitem conhecer, desenvolver habilidades profissionais, institucionalizar e promover condições organizacionais para a efetiva utilização de mecanismos de coordenação em toda rede de atenção à saúde.

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BACKGROUND: Clinical practice guidelines (CPGs) promote better quality and equity in health care and potentially they could improve patients' outcomes. However, their implementation is hindered by a number of factors including some related to health care professionals. AIM: To assess the perceptions and attitudes of primary care physicians regarding CPGs developed by the Chilean Ministry of Health in the context of the Health Sector Reform. MATERIAL AND METHODS: An adaptation of the survey "Knowledge, perceptions and attitudes towards Clinical Practice Guidelines" was sent to 1,264 primary care physicians in Chile and answered completely by 354. The analysis assessed the attitudes towards CPG, their use in primary care and their relationship with socio demographic features of respondents. RESULTS: Eighty two percent of respondents reviewed the flowcharts of the guidelines, 85% consulted their online version. The classification of evidence levels and the strength of recommendations generated a high level of confidence with the guidelines in 70 and 64% of respondents. Eighty five percent considered that CPG could help to standardize clinical practice. The most relevant barrier hindering CPG use was the lack of a brief, simple and easy to access format in 63% of respondents. The three dimensions of the theory of planned behavior (attitude toward behavior, subjective norms, and perceived behavioral control) were associated with a greater frequency of guideline use. A higher age and not being Chilean were associated with a lower frequency of use. CONCLUSIONS: The identified factors associated with CPG use should be considered in future guideline design.

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INTRODUCTION: Refusal of physicians to prescribe insulin to their patients has been scarcely evaluated; the delay in treatment intensification hinders adequate and quality care. OBJECTIVE: To identify the perception of primary care physicians about barriers to initiate insulin treatment in patients with diabetes. METHOD: Using the Smith Index and multivariate analysis, the relevance and grouping of concepts related to barriers to insulin prescription were assessed in 81 family doctors. RESULTS: Only 35.8% of physicians showed confidence for prescribing insulin; almost half of them rated treatment intensification between moderately and little important (39.5% and 6.2%). Barriers were related to the physician (39.5%), the patient (37%), insulin treatment (11.1%) and the institution (6.2%); 6.2 % of physicians did not perceive any barrier. The barriers were grouped in 5 factors that explained 62.48% of the variance: patient cultural level, lack of medical skills, fear of adverse events, insecurity and lack of training. CONCLUSION: Clinical inertia was not the result of a complex medical condition or patient comorbidities, but of doctor's perception and confidence in his/her clinical and communication skills.

INTRODUCCIÓN: Poco se ha evaluado el rechazo de los médicos a prescribir insulina a sus pacientes; el retraso en intensificar el tratamiento impide una atención adecuada y de calidad. OBJETIVO: Identificar la percepción de los médicos acerca de las barreras para iniciar la insulina en los pacientes con diabetes. MÉTODO: Por Índice Smith y análisis multivariado, en 81 médicos familiares se evaluó la relevancia y agrupación de los conceptos relacionados con las barreras para la prescripción de insulina. RESULTADOS: 35.8 % de los médicos mostró confianza en prescribir insulina; casi la mitad calificó la intensificación del tratamiento entre moderadamente y poco importante (39.5 y 6.2 %). Las barreras se relacionaron con el médico (39.5 %), el paciente (37 %), el tratamiento con insulina (11.1 %) y la institución (6.2 %); 6.2 % de los médicos no percibió ninguna barrera. Las barreras se agruparon en cinco factores, que explicaron 62.48 % de la varianza: cultura de los pacientes, falta de habilidades, miedo a los eventos adversos, inseguridad y falta de capacitación. CONCLUSIÓN: La inercia clínica no resultó de una condición clínica compleja o comorbilidades del paciente, sino de la percepción del médico y de su confianza en sus habilidades clínicas y comunicativas.

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Background: Clinical practice guidelines (CPGs) promote better quality and equity in health care and potentially they could improve patients' outcomes. However, their implementation is hindered by a number of factors including some related to health care professionals. Aim: To assess the perceptions and attitudes of primary care physicians regarding CPGs developed by the Chilean Ministry of Health in the context of the Health Sector Reform. Material and Methods: An adaptation of the survey "Knowledge, perceptions and attitudes towards Clinical Practice Guidelines" was sent to 1,264 primary care physicians in Chile and answered completely by 354. The analysis assessed the attitudes towards CPG, their use in primary care and their relationship with socio demographic features of respondents. Results: Eighty two percent of respondents reviewed the flowcharts of the guidelines, 85% consulted their online version. The classification of evidence levels and the strength of recommendations generated a high level of confidence with the guidelines in 70 and 64% of respondents. Eighty five percent considered that CPG could help to standardize clinical practice. The most relevant barrier hindering CPG use was the lack of a brief, simple and easy to access format in 63% of respondents. The three dimensions of the theory of planned behavior (attitude toward behavior, subjective norms, and perceived behavioral control) were associated with a greater frequency of guideline use. A higher age and not being Chilean were associated with a lower frequency of use. Conclusions: The identified factors associated with CPG use should be considered in future guideline design.

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Resumen Introducción: Poco se ha evaluado el rechazo de los médicos a prescribir insulina a sus pacientes; el retraso en intensificar el tratamiento impide una atención adecuada y de calidad. Objetivo: Identificar la percepción de los médicos acerca de las barreras para iniciar la insulina en los pacientes con diabetes. Método: Por Índice Smith y análisis multivariado, en 81 médicos familiares se evaluó la relevancia y agrupación de los conceptos relacionados con las barreras para la prescripción de insulina. Resultados: 35.8 % de los médicos mostró confianza en prescribir insulina; casi la mitad calificó la intensificación del tratamiento entre moderadamente y poco importante (39.5 y 6.2 %). Las barreras se relacionaron con el médico (39.5 %), el paciente (37 %), el tratamiento con insulina (11.1 %) y la institución (6.2 %); 6.2 % de los médicos no percibió ninguna barrera. Las barreras se agruparon en cinco factores, que explicaron 62.48 % de la varianza: cultura de los pacientes, falta de habilidades, miedo a los eventos adversos, inseguridad y falta de capacitación. Conclusión: La inercia clínica no resultó de una condición clínica compleja o comorbilidades del paciente, sino de la percepción del médico y de su confianza en sus habilidades clínicas y comunicativas.

Abstract Introduction: Refusal of physicians to prescribe insulin to their patients has been scarcely evaluated; the delay in treatment intensification hinders adequate and quality care. Objective: To identify the perception of primary care physicians about barriers to initiate insulin treatment in patients with diabetes. Method: Using the Smith Index and multivariate analysis, the relevance and grouping of concepts related to barriers to insulin prescription were assessed in 81 family doctors. Results: Only 35.8% of physicians showed confidence for prescribing insulin; almost half of them rated treatment intensification between moderately and little important (39.5% and 6.2%). Barriers were related to the physician (39.5%), the patient (37%), insulin treatment (11.1%) and the institution (6.2%); 6.2 % of physicians did not perceive any barrier. The barriers were grouped in 5 factors that explained 62.48% of the variance: patient cultural level, lack of medical skills, fear of adverse events, insecurity and lack of training. Conclusion: Clinical inertia was not the result of a complex medical condition or patient comorbidities, but of doctor’s perception and confidence in his/her clinical and communication skills.

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Two-step floating catchment area (2SFCA) methods that account for multiple transportation modes provide more realistic accessibility representation than single-mode methods. However, the use of the impedance coefficient in an impedance function (e.g., Gaussian function) introduces uncertainty to 2SFCA results. This paper proposes an enhancement to the multi-modal 2SFCA methods through incorporating the concept of a spatial access ratio (SPAR) for spatial access measurement. SPAR is the ratio of a given place's access score to the mean of all access scores in the study area. An empirical study on spatial access to primary care physicians (PCPs) in the city of Albuquerque, NM, USA was conducted to evaluate the effectiveness of SPAR in addressing uncertainty introduced by the choice of the impedance coefficient in the classic Gaussian impedance function. We used ESRI StreetMap Premium and General Transit Specification Feed (GTFS) data to calculate the travel time to PCPs by car and bus. We first generated two spatial access scores-using different catchment sizes for car and bus, respectively-for each demanding population location: an accessibility score for car drivers and an accessibility score for bus riders. We then computed three corresponding spatial access ratios of the above scores for each population location. Sensitivity analysis results suggest that the spatial access scores vary significantly when using different impedance coefficients (p < 0.05); while SPAR remains stable (p = 1). Results from this paper suggest that a spatial access ratio can significantly reduce impedance coefficient-related uncertainties in multi-modal 2SFCA methods.

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INTRODUCTION: Surveys are a useful tool in primary care. However, low response rates can introduce selection bias, impairing both external and internal validity. The aim of this study was to assess the average response rate in surveys with Portuguese general practitioners (GPs). METHOD: We searched the Medline, Web of Science, Scopus, Embase, PsychInfo, SciELO, IndexRMP, RCAAP, Revista Portuguesa de Medicina Geral e Familiar, Acta Médica Portuguesa and the proceedings of conferences of general practice from incepton to December 2016. We included all postal, e-mail, telephone and personal surveys to primary care physicians without language restrictions. We did not assess risk of bias of included studies, since the main outcome was survey response rate. We performed planned subgroup analyses of the use of monetary incentives, the use of non-monetary incentives, survey delivery modes and prior contact with participants. RESULTS: A total of 1,094 papers were identified and 37 studies were included in this review. The response rate in surveys done to Portuguese GPs was 56% (95CI 47-64%). There was substantial heterogeneity among included studies (I2=99%), but subgroup analysis did not explain this heterogeneity. CONCLUSION: Consistent with other published studies, the average response rate in surveys done with Portuguese GPs was 56%, with substantial variation among studies. Use of monetary incentives, one of the most effective strategies to increase response rates, was not present in any of the included studies.

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Summary Introduction: Surveys are a useful tool in primary care. However, low response rates can introduce selection bias, impairing both external and internal validity. The aim of this study was to assess the average response rate in surveys with Portuguese general practitioners (GPs). Method: We searched the Medline, Web of Science, Scopus, Embase, PsychInfo, SciELO, IndexRMP, RCAAP, Revista Portuguesa de Medicina Geral e Familiar, Acta Médica Portuguesa and the proceedings of conferences of general practice from incepton to December 2016. We included all postal, e-mail, telephone and personal surveys to primary care physicians without language restrictions. We did not assess risk of bias of included studies, since the main outcome was survey response rate. We performed planned subgroup analyses of the use of monetary incentives, the use of non-monetary incentives, survey delivery modes and prior contact with participants. Results: A total of 1,094 papers were identified and 37 studies were included in this review. The response rate in surveys done to Portuguese GPs was 56% (95CI 47-64%). There was substantial heterogeneity among included studies (I2=99%), but subgroup analysis did not explain this heterogeneity. Conclusion: Consistent with other published studies, the average response rate in surveys done with Portuguese GPs was 56%, with substantial variation among studies. Use of monetary incentives, one of the most effective strategies to increase response rates, was not present in any of the included studies.

Resumo Introdução: Questionários são úteis na investigação em cuidados de saúde primários. Contudo, baixas taxas de resposta podem introduzir um viés de seleção, prejudicando a validade externa e interna. O objetivo deste estudo foi identificar a taxa de resposta média a questionários aplicados a médicos de família (MF) portugueses. Método: Foram pesquisadas as bases de dados Medline, Web of Science, Scopus, Embase, PsychInfo, SciELO, IndexRMP, RCAAP, Revista Portuguesa de Medicina Geral e Familiar, Acta Médica Portuguesa e resumos em conferências de medicina familiar do início até dezembro de 2016. Incluiram-se estudos realizados a médicos de família portugueses independentemente de sua tipologia, do tipo de entrega (correio, e-mail, pessoalmente e por telefone) e do idioma do artigo. Não foi avaliado o risco de viés dos artigos porque o principal resultado considerado foi a taxa de resposta. Foram efetuadas análises de subgrupos sobre a utilização de incentivos monetários, de incentivos não monetários, o modo de entrega e o contato prévio com os participantes. Resultados: Foram identificados 1.094 artigos e incluídos 37 estudos. O número de participantes em cada estudo variou entre 13 e 2.815 participantes. A taxa de resposta média foi de 56% (IC95% 47-64%). Identificou-se uma heterogeneidade substancial (I2=99%) não explicável pela análise de subgrupos. Conclusão: A taxa de resposta média a inquéritos realizados a MF portugueses foi de 56%, o que corresponde aos valores identificados em revisões internacionais, apesar da variação significativa entre os estudos englobados nesta revisão. O uso de incentivos monetários, uma das estratégias mais eficazes para aumentar as taxas de resposta, não foi identificado em qualquer dos estudos incluídos.

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INTRODUCTION: Hospitalisation for ambulatory care-sensitive conditions (HACSCs) is frequently used as an indicator of the quality and effectiveness of primary healthcare (PHC) services around the world. The aim of the present study was to evaluate whether the PHC model (family health strategy (FHS) x conventional) and the availability of specialised PHC physicians is associated or not with total hospitalisation or HACSCs in the National Health System (SUS) of the municipality of Curitiba, Paraná state (PR), Brazil. METHODOLOGY: This is a cross-sectional ecological study using multiple linear regression with socioeconomic and professional data from municipal health units (MHUs) between 1 April 2014 and 31 March 2015. RESULTS: After adjustment for age and sex and control of socioeconomic variables, the FHS model was associated with six fewer HACSCs a year per 10 000 inhabitants in relation to the conventional model and the availability of one family physician at each FHS model MHU per 10 000 inhabitants was associated with 1.1 fewer HACSCs for heart failure a year per 10 000 inhabitants. Basic specialists (clinicians, paediatricians and obstetrician/gynaecologists) and subspecialists showed no significant association with HACSC rates. CONCLUSION: These results obtained in a major Brazilian city reinforce the role of FHS as a priority PHC model in the country and indicate the potentially significant impact of specialising in family medicine on improving the health conditions of the population.

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OBJECTIVE: To evaluate pediatricians' self-reported knowledge, attitudes, and dissemination practices regarding the new American Academy of Pediatrics' (AAP) child passenger safety (CPS) policy recommendations. STUDY DESIGN: A cross-sectional survey was distributed to pediatric primary care physicians via AAP e-mail distribution lists. Knowledge, attitudes, and practices related to current AAP CPS recommendations and the revised policy statement were ascertained. RESULTS: There were 718 respondents from 3497 physicians with active e-mail addresses, resulting in a 20.5% response rate, of which 533 were eligible based on the initial survey question. All 6 CPS knowledge and scenario-based items were answered correctly by 52.9% of the sample; these respondents were identified as the "high knowledge" group. Pediatricians with high knowledge were more likely to be female (P < .001), to have completed a pediatrics residency (vs medicine-pediatrics) (P = .03), and have a child between 4 and 7 years of age (P = .001). CPS information was distributed more frequently at routine health visits for patients 0-2 years of age vs those 4-12 years of age. Those with high knowledge were less likely to report several specific barriers to dissemination of CPS information, more likely to allot adequate time and discuss CPS with parents, and had greater confidence for topics related to all CPS topics. CONCLUSIONS: Although CPS knowledge is generally high among respondents, gaps in knowledge still exist. Knowledge is associated with attitudes, practices, barriers, and facilitators of CPS guideline dissemination. These results identify opportunities to increase knowledge and implement strategies to routinely disseminate CPS information in the primary care setting.

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OBJECTIVE: Only one-third of US adolescents with depression obtain treatment for depression. Teen and parent barriers differ, but both contribute to low treatment rates. Primary care providers (PCPs) may be able to elicit and address such barriers, but little is known about their perceptions of teen and parent barriers, and whether they recognize these differences. METHODS: We administered a survey to 58 PCPs assessing their perceptions of the importance of specific barriers to depression care for teens and parents using McNemar's test to examine differences. RESULTS: Most PCPs believed barriers for parents included difficulty making appointments, worry about what others would think, and cost. PCPs believed barriers for teens included not wanting treatment and worry about what others would think. PCPs believed parents and teens differed in the extent to which they would perceive cost, difficulty in making appointments, and not wanting care as a barrier (p < .001). CONCLUSIONS: Primary care providers recognize that teens and parents have different barriers to care, but may have discordant perceptions of the importance of certain barriers for teens and their parents. PCPs may need to probe parents and teens individually about barriers, which impede depression care to enhance shared decision making and treatment uptake.

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Survey results regarding primary care physicians' likelihood of recommending a new vaccine were compared before and after the vaccine was licensed by the Food and Drug Administration for three new vaccines: herpes zoster (HZ), human papillomavirus (HPV) and rotavirus (RV), using physician networks representative of United States physicians. The main purpose of this study was to determine (a) how accurately physicians predict their eventual vaccine recommendations and the barriers they will experience in delivering the new vaccine and (b) whether physicians shift towards more or less strongly recommending a new vaccine from pre- to post-licensure. Responses from 284, 152 and 184 physicians were analyzed for the three vaccines, respectively. For all vaccines, there was a significant association between physicians' pre- and post-licensure recommendations (p<0.05). When responses changed from pre- to post-licensure, physicians tended to recommend a given vaccine more strongly than they had anticipated pre-licensure. Before vaccine availability, physicians tended to predict greater barriers to vaccine delivery than they eventually experienced. Surveys are useful for predicting physician practices, but may provide a slightly pessimistic view of physician adoption of new vaccines. Such data can be helpful in devising strategies to encourage vaccine delivery by physicians.

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