2012, Number 3
Using primary health care services for the elderly in three polyclinics in Cuba
Language: Spanish
References: 16
Page: 320-329
PDF size: 131.52 Kb.
ABSTRACT
The scientific and technological revolution has contributed to population aging (higher proportion of elderly in the population), and it has impact on the health system since it is more frequent the use of primary health care services, which, in turn, does not have the necessary development to meet this growing and specialized demand for this age group. A descriptive study was conducted to describe the use of primary health care services by the elderly residents in some of Cuban medical practices in 2006. Absolute numbers, rate ratios and annual rates per capita/person/year by sex were calculated for the total study group at each clinic. Utilization rates were 1.22 and 3.53 respectively for territory and medical practices. The indicators showed differences in organization, quality, and type of services provided between these medical practices. Marcio Manduley clinic had the highest rates of use -6.00 versus 2.27, respectively, for medical practices and territory; 2.54 versus 6.22 for consultations scheduled/unscheduled, 8.46 versus 0.31 for Yes/No medical prescriptions performed and 4.48 versus 4.49 for Yes/No indicated prevention activities. On the other hand, Felipe J. Rodríguez Polyclinic had the lowest indicators. We conclude that the work organization in polyclinics has impact on the use of primary health care services, quality and type of services provided, and these differences could between polyclinics could be inequities in the access to these services by elderly.REFERENCES
Valenzuela López MI. Evaluación de las intervenciones sanitarias a nivel de atención primaria que reducen las hospitalizaciones por patologías sensibles a cuidados ambulatorios en pacientes mayores de 60 años [Tesis Doctoral]. Granada: Universidad de Granada; 2007 [citado 12 de enero de 2012]. Disponible en: http://hera.ugr.es/tesisugr/16653385.pdf
Gómez León M. Envejecimiento, salud y uso de los servicios de salud [Tesis de Maestría]. La Habana: Universidad de La Habana. Facultad de Economía, Departamento de Macro-Microeconomía; 2006 [citado 6 de marzo de 2012]. Disponible en: http://fec.uh.cu/doctorado/doctoradoftp/Tesis/Maestrias/6ta/Madel%EDn%20G%F3mez%20Le%F3n%20-%20Cuba.%20Envejecimiento,%20Salud%20y%20Uso%20de%20los%20Servicios%20de%20Salud.pdf
Marín PP. Envejecimiento saludable. En: Marín Larraín PP, Gac Espínola H, editores. Manual de Geriatría y Gerontología. 2000 [Internet]. Santiago de Chile: Pontificia Universidad Católica de Chile; 2000 [citado 6 de marzo de 2012]. Disponible en: http://escuela.med.puc.cl/publ/ManualGeriatria/PDF/EnvejSaludable.pdf
Díaz Novás J, Calles Calviño A, Roldán de la Paz I, Chea Ochoa Dl. Las urgencias en la atención primaria: uso de exámenes complementarios y medicamentos. Rev Cubana Med Gen Integr [Internet]. 2008 [citado 15 de agosto de 2012];24(3). Disponible en: http://scielo.sld.cu/scielo.php?script=sci_arttext&pid=S0864-21252008000300003&lng=es