This article briefly discloses what home hospitalization consists of, its different models of care, and the benefits and difficulties associated with it. We also describe the operation of the home hospitalization unit of the Padre Hurtado Hospital in Santiago de Chile and the role it took in the context of the first wave of the COVID-19 Pandemic, specifically between March and August of the year 2020. We aim to share our experience with this emerging form of hospitalization that is already working in Chilean public hospitals. We also hope that this hospitalization modality will continue to grow over the years.

Abstract Background: GlobalSurg is an international group of researchers whose purpose is to conduct and disseminate robust collaborative, international and multicenter studies. Objective: To expose the necessary strategies and the barriers crossed in conducting massive multicenter studies in surgery. Method: During the second semester of 2020, the study Surg-Week Prospective International Cohort Study was carried out. Surg-Week has been the largest international study in the field of surgery to date, with 141,582 patients included. A total of 4975 mini-teams, of between 1 and 5 members, collected data from 116 countries on all continents. Results: The creation of an official website for the study, reports with relevant information via email or groups via WhatsApp, formation of a Dissemination Committee of the protocol, delivery of webinars on recent team publications, appointment of leaders at the national and international level, and outreach through partnerships, were the strategies used for the development of the research. However, the barriers turned out to involve different aspects. Conclusions: Collaborative work allows establishing networks between different professionals with the goal of improving the quality of management, health policies and care of our patients in a timely manner of constant change.

Resumen Antecedentes: GlobalSurg es un grupo internacional de investigadores que tiene como propósito la conducción y la diseminación de robustos estudios colaborativos, internacionales y multicéntricos. Objetivo: Exponer las estrategias necesarias y las barreras encontradas en la conducción de estudios multicéntricos masivos en cirugía. Método: Durante el segundo semestre del año 2020 se llevó a cabo el estudio Surg-Week Prospective International Cohort Study, hasta la fecha el estudio internacional más grande en el campo de la cirugía, con 141,582 pacientes incluidos. Un total de 4975 miniequipos, de uno a cinco integrantes, recopilaron datos de 116 países de todos los continentes. Resultados: La creación de un sitio web oficial del estudio, reportes con información relevante vía e-mail o grupos vía WhatsApp, conformación de un comité de diseminación del protocolo, dictado de webinars sobre publicaciones recientes del equipo, designación de líderes nacionales e internacionales, y la divulgación por medio de sociedades, fueron las estrategias utilizadas para el desarrollo de la investigación. Sin embargo, las barreras detectadas para llevar a cabo el estudio multicéntrico fueron variadas. Conclusiones: Los trabajos colaborativos permiten establecer redes entre diferentes profesionales con el fin de mejorar la calidad de la gestión, las políticas sanitarias y la atención a los pacientes en tiempos de constante cambio.

Background: Quarantines may exacerbate the presence of emotional symptoms or anxiety. Aim: To explore the relation between time spent in lockdown and development of depressive and anxiety symptoms. Material and Methods: A survey including the GAD anxiety and PHQ-9 depression scores was answered online by 1,488 subjects aged 36 ± 14 years (74% women), invited to participate through social networks. Both scores are validated for the Chilean population. Results: Most responders had a private health insurance system. Sixty seven percent had clinically significant depressive symptoms and 39% had anxiety symptoms. Spending four or more weeks of lockdown (quarantine) was associated with 1.6 times higher risk of developing depressive symptoms and 2.9 times higher risk of developing anxiety symptoms. Difficulties in access to health care increased 3.3 times the risk of developing depression. Suffering a respiratory disease increased 2.39 times the risk of developing anxiety. Conclusions: There was a direct association between depressive and anxious symptoms, and the time spent of quarantine.

ABSTRACT: Calcium (Ca) is often supplied to crop species to prevent the occurrence of Ca–related disorders. Mechanisms of Ca absorption and transport are not fully understood and the effectiveness of root and/or foliar Ca fertilization may be variable. To characterize the rate of Ca absorption and transport, trials were developed with chili pepper and sweet cherry plants, using 45CaCl2 as a tracer. The Ca treatments supplied were: (1) No 45Ca (control); (2) 45Ca soil application; (3) 45Ca supply to basal leaves, and (4) 45Ca application to apical leaves. After two months, plants were harvested for biomass and Ca content determination. The recovery of 45Ca in different plant parts was measured with a liquid scintillation counter and leaf traits were observed by scanning electronic microscopy. In general, the highest 45Ca concentrations were recovered in treated organs, while root applications led to highest 45Ca translocation rates, which varied between chili pepper and cherry plants. For chili pepper, 45Ca applied to the soil was detected mainly in roots (44 %) followed by leaves (36.6 %) stems (17.4 %) and fruits (2 %). In sweet cherry trees, soil–applied 45Ca was principally recovered in roots (45.3 %), shoots (28.5 %), leaves (14.3 %) and trunks (11.9 %). The results provide evidence of increased absorption of root–applied Ca, as well as different degrees of Ca mobility between species. Foliar application led to major Ca increases in treated leaves, with Ca transported to other plant organs after apical leaf Ca supply chiefly in cherry trees.

RESUMEN Objetivo: Explorar la distribución de los niveles generales y particulares de empatia entre los diferentes estilos de funcionamiento familiar de los estudiantes de medicina de la Universidad del Azuay en la ciudad de Cuenca-Ecuador. Materiales y métodos: Estudio exploratorio y transversal. Los niveles de empatia de los estudiantes se midieron a través de la Escala de Empatia Médica de Jefferson, versión S en español y el funcionamiento familiar a través de la Escala de Funcionamiento Familiar Faces-20 en una muestra de 278 estudiantes de medicina. La comparación de los datos se realizó mediante análisis de varianza bifactorial modelo III. El nivel de significación fue de α≤ 0.05 y 1- β ≤ 0.20. Resultados: El análisis de la varianza de la empatia general fue significativa (p<0,05) para el factor Estilo de funcionamiento familiar. Los resultados sobre las dimensiones de la empatia: "Toma de perspectiva" y "Habilidad para comprender la situación del otro" fueron significativos (p=0,035; p=0,044) para el factor Estilo de funcionamiento familiar. En torno a la dimensión "Cuidado con compasión" no se observaron diferencias significativas (p > 0.05). Por otra parte, se encontró que los estilos de funcionamiento familiar extremo tienen valores de empatia mayores al del estilo intermedio, con diferencias significativas entre ellos (p<0,05). Conclusión: Existe una relación entre el tipo de funcionamiento familiar y la empatia. Las familias con estilo de funcionamiento familiar extremo presentan mayores valores de empatia que las familias intermedias. En torno al factor género, no se presentaron estas diferencias.

ABSTRACT: Objective: To explore the distribution of general, and particular, levels of empathy, among the different family functioning styles of medical students at the University of Azuay, in the city of Cuenca, Ecuador. Materials and methods: Exploratory and cross-sectional study. Student empathy levels were measured through the Jefferson Medical Empathy Scale, S-version in Spanish, and family functioning through the Faces-20 Family Functioning Scale, in a sample of 278 medical students. The comparison of data was carried out by means of analysis of bifactorial variance model III. The used level of significance was α≤ 0.05 and 1- β ≤ 0.20. Results: The analysis of the general empathy variance was significant (p <0.05) for the family functioning style factor. The results on the dimensions of empathy:" Take on perspective" and "Ability to understand the situation of the other" were significant (p = 0.035; p = 0.044) for the family functioning style factor. Regarding the "Care with compassion" dimension, no significant differences were observed (p> 0.05). On the other hand, it was found that extreme family functioning styles have empathy values greater than the intermediate style, with significant differences between them (p <0.05). Conclusion: There is a relationship between the type of family functioning and empathy. Extreme family functioning style have higher empathy values than intermedium families. Regarding the gender factor, these differences were not presented.

The Chilean Academy of Medicine convened a commission to evaluate the status of HIV epidemic and the national response to it, regarding its achievements, gaps and challenges, aiming to recommend actions to optimize assessment quality and national response. This publication summarizes the agreed upon opinion of its members. The epidemic is overwhelmingly sexually transmitted, predominant in homo/bisexual men. Vertical transmission is very low. An increasing number of new diagnoses is occurring, with relative over representation of foreign people lately. There is a legal guarantee of confidentiality, nondiscrimination and treatment for those affected, both in the private and public sector. All public health services have active HIV care units. Modern antiviral drugs and monitoring tests are also available. Despite these clear achievements, insufficient, occasionally inadequate public policies and certain rigid regulations thwart optimal effectivity and efficiency of the programs, contributing to the slow and incomplete compliance with international commitments. Shortcomings worth highlighting are: suboptimal educational and preventive programs directed to youngsters, vulnerable and general population; persistent underdiagnosis of infected population; cumbersome requirements to request and inform diagnostic tests, thus discouraging testing; excessive centralization and long latency of diagnosis confirmation and monitoring tests; incomplete epidemiologic analysis and public reporting of findings; non flexibility and slow updating of therapeutic guidelines; insufficient adaptation of care and drug delivery modalities to patients' needs; excessive administrative requirements at care centers and restrictive legislation for outcome and interventional clinical research. Recommendations to deal with these issues were proposed.

Background: Recent data suggest an increase in tuberculosis (TB) incidence in Chile. Aim: To evaluate recent epidemiological trends, geographic extension and potential factors associated with TB reemergence in Chile. Material and Methods: Data analysis from official sources and trend analysis. Results: TB incidence rate increased from 12.3 (2014) to 14.7 (2017) per 100,000 inhabitants. Morbidity rates also increased in nine out of 15 regions. The proportion of TB cases in specific groups has also increased in the last six years: HIV/AIDS (68%), immigrants (118%), drug users/alcoholics (267%) and homeless people (370%). Several indicators of the national TB program performance have deteriorated including TB case detection, HIV co-infection study and contact tracing activities. Overall results indicate a higher than expected case-fatality ratio (> 3%), high rates of loss from follow-up (> 5%), and low percentage of cohort healing rate (< 90%). This decline is associated with a Control Program with scarce human resources whose central budget decreased by 90% from 2008 to 2014. New molecular diagnostic tools and liquid media culture were only recently implemented. Conclusions: TB trends and overall program performance indicators have deteriorated in recent years in Chile and several factors appear to be involved. Multiple strategies will be required to rectify this situation.

ABSTRACT INTRODUCTION Population aging is a worldwide phenomenon. It is estimated that by 2050, one of five persons will be aged ≥60 years. In Chile, 15.8% of the population is now aged ≥60 years, and this figure will reach 30.7% by 2050. In 2006, a national program was implemented to provide assistive devices to older adults aged ≥65 years with limited mobility or difficulty performing activities of daily living. To date, there have been no assessments of the program’s effectiveness. OBJECTIVE Assess the effectiveness of an assistive devices policy in Chile on improving functional capacity of older adults aged ≥65 years, and beneficiaries’ perceptions of the services received, including changes in their quality of life. METHODS This was a before–after longitudinal study. A cohort of 309 persons was recruited, consisting of patients who received care at a public hospital in Santiago, Chile during 2014–2015. They were assessed before delivery of assistive devices, then followed for seven months, with repeated evaluations made in their homes. The following indicators were measured: functional capacity (Tinetti scale and Barthel Index); changes in perceived quality of life related to use of assistive devices; and other sociodemographic, clinical and protocol-compliance variables. A longitudinal analysis of before–after progress was carried out, as well as a description of service delivery and medical followup. RESULTS Sixty-eight percent of those surveyed were women; median age was 74 years, average schooling was 6 years, and 93% had low income (monthly income <US$398). Assistive devices increased independence in activities of daily living, improved mobility and perceived quality of life, and decreased fall risk and pain. One hundred percent felt satisfied with the service received, 91% were trained in use of the device, and delivery deadlines were met in 83% of cases, but only 2% were followed up. One negative aspect is that the program covers only 25% of estimated need. CONCLUSIONS This assistive device program helps improve functional capacity and perceived quality of life in vulnerable patients who are able to access it. It addresses a real need and is highly valued by patients. Although delivery schedules were fulfilled, followup care schedules were not.

ABSTRACT INTRODUCTION Health systems are one determinant of health; their role is to facilitate timely and equitable access to quality services. The way in which a health system is organized can profoundly affect achievement of its objectives. The main feature of the Chilean health system is the coexistence of a public health insurance program (based on a social insurance model) with several market-based private health insurance companies. This hybrid structure provides an interesting framework for analyzing and evaluating the system’s effects on health inequalities. OBJECTIVE Assess Chilean public and private health insurance schemes’ performance and its effects on health inequalities. METHODS Public health insurance was compared with private insurance using indicators from 2013 (or the closest year) in the following domains: inputs, outputs (provider visits, discharges), outcomes (coverage) and impact (on health, quality of life, finances and patient satisfaction) as well as demographic and social determinant indicators. A conceptual framework for measuring health system performance was used. Data were obtained from administrative records and population-based surveys. RESULTS The publicly insured population had greater health care needs, was older (aging index 83.4 vs. 36.5) and poorer (17.2% vs. 1.5% below the poverty line) than the population covered by private insurers. The public insurer received average monthly funding of US$50.94 per beneficiary and spent US$51.43, while private insurers on average collected US$94.79 monthly per beneficiary, and spent US$69.63 on health services (excluding medical leave benefits). Private health insurance beneficiaries were more likely than their publicly insured counterparts to access specialized medical services (18.3% vs. 9.3%) and dentists (11.2% vs. 5.9%), have laboratory tests (18.1% vs. 4.8%), and undergo surgery (7.8% vs. 5.9%). Risk factor and disease prevalence was lower among private insurance beneficiaries for 16 of 18 tracer conditions, although age-adjusted differences were not significant. Finally, incidence of catastrophic spending was slightly lower among private insurance beneficiaries (3.7% vs. 4.2%), and a greater proportion of them were satisfied or very satisfied with the health system (37% vs. 17%). CONCLUSIONS The relative youth and better financial status of beneficiaries of private insurers is compatible with selection for lower risk. While private plans offer greater financial protection and receive higher user satisfaction ratings than the public plan, differences in financing between the two types of insurance affect availability and utilization of services. This constitutes a structural problem for the Chilean health system. There is an urgent need to move toward an integrated health system, in which incentives are aligned with social insurance objectives.

Resumen Objetivo: Identificar el nivel de empatia en los estudiantes de medicina de la Universidad del Azuay. Materiales y métodos: Se realizó un estudio transversal. Los niveles de empatía de los estudiantes se midieron a través de la Escala de Empatia Médica de Jefferson, versión S (EEMJ) en español, adaptada culturalmente en el contexto de Ecuador. La comparación de los datos se realizó mediante análisis de varianza bifactorial modelo III. Resultados: Se pudo observar que las mujeres tienen un promedio mayor en los niveles de empatía que los hombres en casi todos los cursos, excepto en el sexto. Existieron diferencias estadísticamente significativas cuando se analizaron por separado las puntuaciones por género y curso; estas diferencias no fueron significativas cuando se analizó la interacción entre las dos variables señaladas. Conclusiones: Los resultados de este estudio son consistentes con otros trabajos, especialmente con los realizados en Latinoamérica, que muestran variabilidad de la respuesta empática en estudiantes de medicina.

Abstract Objective. To assess the level of empathy in medical students attending University of Azuay. Materials and methods. A cross-sectional study was conducted. Empathy levels were measured through Jefferson's Physician Empathy Scale, S (JPES) Spanish version, culturally adapted to the Ecuadorian context. A two-factor analysis of variance model III was used in order to assess differences between groups. Results. Female students scored higher average levels of empathy when compared to male students in almost all courses except the sixth. Statistically significant differences were found only when gender and class scores were separately analyzed. These differences were non-significant when the interaction between the two mentioned variables was analyzed. Conclusions. The results of this study are consistent with other studies, especially those conducted in Latin America, which show variability of empathic response among medical students.

Introduction: Meningococcal disease (MD) is a major global problem because of its case fatality rate and sequels. Since 2012 cases of serogroup W have increased in Chile, with nonspecific clinical presentation, high case fatality rate and serious consequences. Objective: To characterize the evolution and outcome of MD cases between January 2012 and March 2013 in Chile. Material and Methods: Case series considering149 MD cases of 7 regions. A questionnaire was applied and clinical records were reviewed, including individual, agent, clinical course and healthcare process variables. The analysis allowed to obtain estimates of the OR as likelihoodof dying. Results: 51.5% was meningococcemia, the case fatality rate reached 27%, prevailing serogroup W (46.6%). Factors that increased the probability of dying: > age, belonging to indigenous people, having lived a stressful event, having diarrhea, impaired consciousness, cardiovascular symptoms, low oxygen saturation and low Glasgow coma scale score. Discussion: The case fatality rate exceeded normal levels and was higher in serogroup W. Increasing in this serogroup, associated to the increased presence of nonspecific symptoms or rapid progression to septicemia, hit a health system accustomed to more classic meningococcal disease presentation, which could partly explain the observed increased fatality rate.

Introducción: La enfermedad meningocóccica (EM) es un importante problema mundial por su letalidad y secuelas. Desde 2012 aumentaron en Chile los casos por serogrupo W, con presentación clínica inespecífica, elevada letalidad y secuelas graves. Objetivo: Caracterizar la evolución y desenlace de EM en casos desde enero de 2012 a marzo de 2013 en Chile. Material y Método: Serie de 149 casos de EM de siete regiones. Se aplicó un cuestionario y se revisaron registros clínicos, incluyendo variables del individuo, agente, curso clínico y proceso de atención. Los análisis permitieron obtener OR como estimadores de la probabilidad de fallecer. Resultados: El 51,5% se presentó como meningococcemia, la letalidad alcanzó a 27%, predominando el serogrupo W (46,6%). Aumentaron la probabilidad de fallecer: una mayor edad, pertenencia a pueblos originarios, haber vivido evento estresante, presentar diarrea, compromiso de conciencia, síntomas cardiovasculares, baja saturación de oxígeno y bajo puntaje de Glasgow. Discusión: La letalidad superó las frecuencias habituales y fue mayor en el serogrupo W. El aumento de este serogrupo, asociado a la mayor presencia de síntomas inespecíficos o a la rápida progresión a septicemia, impactó en un sistema de salud habituado a cuadros más clásicos de EM, lo que podría explicar en parte, la mayor letalidad observada.

Introduction: The Chilean Ministry of Health (MINSAL) and the Chilean Federation of Bakers (FECHIPAN) agreed to progressively decrease sodium content in bread from 800 to 500 mg/100 g bread in 100 bakeries in 2011 and in 100% of bakeries in 2014. Objective: To analyze and compare the sodium content in bread from a bakery with national distribution (A) and a local bakery (B). Materials and methods: A total of 100 samples were analyzed in each bakery 50 each of the two types of bread known as marraqueta and hallulla (types of bread rolls). Analysis was performed at different times of the day and at different days of the week. Sodium content was determined by the AOAC (2005) method using atomic absorption spectrophotometry and compared with the sodium content declared in the nutrition label in bakery A. Differences between content for type of bread, bakery and time of sampling were established by ANOVA and Student's t-test with the STATA 12.0 software at a p<0.05 level of significance. Results: Total sodium in bread (mg/100 g unit) was estimated as 619.6±127.7 mg for hallulla and 641.0±93.3 for marraqueta. There were no significant differences in sodium content in both bakeries (p=0.971) and type of bread (p=0.177). Sodium content was higher on Wednesdays (p<0.0001, p=0.016) and at 17 hours (p<0.000001, p=0.028) in hallulla and marraqueta, respectively. Total sodium content in both bakeries varied between 412.5 and 954.5 mg/100 g. Conclusions: Bread from both bakeries showed similar sodium contents although they exceeded the MINSAL-FECHIPAN agreement by 26% to 80%.

Introducción: El Ministerio de Salud de Chile (MINSAL) y la Federación de Panaderos de Chile (FECHIPAN) acordaron reducir progresivamente el contenido de sodio en el pan de 800 mg a 500 mg/100 g pan, en 100 panaderías el 2011 y en 100% de ellos el año 2014. Objetivo: Analizar el contenido de sodio en pan de una panadería de distribución nacional (A) comparada con una de tipo local (B). Materiales y métodos: Se analizaron 100 muestras de pan por panadería, 50 de marraqueta y 50 de hallulla, en diferentes horas y días de la semana. El contenido de sodio se determinó con el método AOAC (2005) mediante espectrofotometría de absorción atómica y se comparó con el contenido de sodio declarado en el etiquetado nutricional de la panadería A. Se utilizó ANOVA y T-student para establecer diferencias del contenido de sodio por tipo de pan, panadería y hora de extracción, utilizando el software STATA 12.0 con un nivel de significancia p<0,05. Resultados: El sodio total en el pan (mg/100 g pan) se estimó en 619,6±127,7 mg para hallulla y 641±93,3 para marraqueta, sin diferencias significativas para su contenido en ambas panaderías (p=0,971) y tipo de pan (p=0,177). El sodio fue mayor el día miércoles (p<0,0001 - p=0.016) y a las 17 horas (p<0,000001 - p=0.028) en pan hallulla y marraqueta respectivamente. Con variabilidad en el contenido de sodio total en ambas panaderías entre 412,5 a 954,5 mg/100 g. Conclusiones: El pan de ambas panaderías presenta similar contenido de sodio pero excediéndose 26% a 80% del acuerdo MINSAL-FECHIPAN.

Objective. Analyze barriers and facilitators of access to prenatal care in pregnant urban adolescents between 15-19 years of age in Santiago, Chile. Materials and methods. Qualitative study based on grounded theory with 17 adolescent mothers. Eleven semi-structured interviews and one focus group were conducted. Results. The denial and concealment of pregnancy is the main barrier to start the prenatal care in the "delayed access group". This group does not identify facilitators. For maintenance in antenatal care, all participants identified a support figure as a facilitator. Family and social vulnerabilities explain why some adolescents start the prenatal care late. Conclusion. The presence of facilitators is crucial for both, the timely entry and the maintenance in antenatal care because they reduce or nullify the effect of barriers. The health system must become a facilitator to accompany adolescents and promote a bond of trust and respect.

Objetivo. Analizar barreras y facilitadores de acceso a control prenatal en adolescentes urbanas de 15-19 años en Santiago, Chile. Material y métodos. Estudio cualitativo con 17 madres adolescentes basado en la teoría fundamentada. Se realizaron 11 entrevistas semiestructuradas y un grupo focal. Resultados. La negación y ocultamiento del embarazo es la principal barrera para ingresar a control en el grupo de acceso tardío; no se identificaron facilitadores. Para mantenerse en control, todas las participantes identifican como facilitador contar con una figura de apoyo. La vulnerabilidad familiar y social explica que algunas adolescentes ingresen a control tardíamente. Conclusión. La presencia de facilitadores es determinante para el ingreso oportuno y mantenerse en control, ya que reduce o anula el efecto de las barreras. El sistema de salud debe constituirse en un facilitador que acompañe desde muy temprano a las adolescentes favoreciendo un vínculo de confianza y respeto.

Objective. Analyze barriers and facilitators of access to prenatal care in pregnant urban adolescents between 15-19 years of age in Santiago, Chile. Materials and methods. Qualitative study based on grounded theory with 17 adolescent mothers. Eleven semi-structured interviews and one focus group were conducted. Results. The denial and concealment of pregnancy is the main barrier to start the prenatal care in the "delayed access group". This group does not identify facilitators. For maintenance in antenatal care, all participants identified a support figure as a facilitator. Family and social vulnerabilities explain why some adolescents start the prenatal care late. Conclusion. The presence of facilitators is crucial for both, the timely entry and the maintenance in antenatal care because they reduce or nullify the effect of barriers. The health system must become a facilitator to accompany adolescents and promote a bond of trust and respect.

Objetivo. Analizar barreras y facilitadores de acceso a control prenatal en adolescentes urbanas de 15-19 años en Santiago, Chile. Material y métodos. Estudio cualitativo con 17 madres adolescentes basado en la teoría fundamentada. Se realizaron 11 entrevistas semiestructuradas y un grupo focal. Resultados. La negación y ocultamiento del embarazo es la principal barrera para ingresar a control en el grupo de acceso tardío; no se identificaron facilitadores. Para mantenerse en control, todas las participantes identifican como facilitador contar con una figura de apoyo. La vulnerabilidad familiar y social explica que algunas adolescentes ingresen a control tardíamente. Conclusión. La presencia de facilitadores es determinante para el ingreso oportuno y mantenerse en control, ya que reduce o anula el efecto de las barreras. El sistema de salud debe constituirse en un facilitador que acompañe desde muy temprano a las adolescentes favoreciendo un vínculo de confianza y respeto.

OBJECTIVE: To determine whether health care access barriers and facilitators cut across different populations, countries, and pathologies, and if so, at which stages of health care access they occur most frequently. METHODS: A qualitative systematic review of literature published between 2000 and 2010 was undertaken drawing on six international sources: Fuente Académica, MEDLINE (full-text), Academic Search Complete (a full-text multidisciplinary academic database), PubMed, SciELO, and LILACS. Scientific appraisal guidelines from the Critical Appraisal Skills Programme Español (CASPe) and Strengthening the Reporting of Observational Studies in Epidemiology (STROBE) were applied. Gray literature was also reviewed. RESULTS: From the review of scientific literature, 19 of 1 160 articles and 8 of 12 gray literature documents were selected. A total of 230 barriers and 35 facilitators were identified in countries with different contexts and degrees of development. The 230 barriers were classified according to the Tanahashi framework: 25 corresponded to availability, 67 to access, 87 to acceptability, and 51 to contact. Most of the barriers were related to acceptability and access. The facilitating elements that were identified had to do with personal factors, the provider-client relationship, social support, knowledge about diseases, and adaptation of the services to patients. CONCLUSIONS: The barriers and facilitators were seen mostly in people who initiated contact with the health systems, and they occurred at all stages of health care access. Only a few of the studies looked at people who did not initiate contact with the health services. The barriers and facilitators identified were socially determined and largely a reflection of existing social inequities in the countries. To reduce or eliminate them, joint action with other non-health sectors will be necessary.

OBJETIVO: Determinar si las barreras y los elementos facilitadores de acceso a la atención de salud son transversales a distintas poblaciones, países y patologías, e identificar en qué etapas del proceso de acceso a la atención sanitaria se presentan con más frecuencia. MÉTODOS: Revisión sistemática cualitativa de literatura publicada durante el período 2000-2010. Se consultaron seis fuentes internacionales: Fuente Académica, Medline en texto completo, Base de datos académica multidisciplinaria en texto completo (Academic Search Complete), PubMed, SciELO y LILACS. Se aplicaron criterios de valoración científica del Programa CASPe y la declaración STROBE. En paralelo se revisó literatura gris. RESULTADOS: Se seleccionaron 19 de 1 160 resultados de la revisión de artículos científicos, y 8 de 12 documentos de la revisión de literatura gris. Se identificaron 230 barreras y 35 facilitadores en países con diferentes contextos y grados de desarrollo. Las 230 barreras se clasificaron acorde al modelo de Tanahashi: 25 corresponden a la dimensión disponibilidad, 67 a accesibilidad, 87 a aceptabilidad y 51 a contacto. La mayor proporción de barreras correspondió a la dimensión de aceptabilidad y de accesibilidad. Los elementos facilitadores identificados tienen relación con factores personales, relación entre prestadores y usuarios, apoyo social, información sobre la enfermedad y adaptación de los servicios al paciente. CONCLUSIONES: La identificación de barreras y facilitadores se realiza mayoritariamente en personas que han contactado los sistemas sanitarios y en todas las etapas del proceso de acceso a la atención de salud. Se identificaron pocos estudios orientados a quienes no contactan los servicios. Las barreras y facilitadores identificados están socialmente determinados, y la mayoría son expresión de inequidades sociales que existen en los países y requieren una acción conjunta con otros sectores distintos de salud para ser reducidas o eliminadas.