BACKGROUND: Even students with previous academic success may face challenges that affect their academic performance. Many medical schools offer programs to students at the risk of academic failure, to ensure that they succeed in the course. OBJECTIVE AND METHODS: In this report we describe a pioneering academic tutoring program developed at a Brazilian medical school and discuss the initial results of the program based on the feedback from tutors and data regarding the progression of students in the medical course. RESULTS: In 2018, 33 students enrolled into the program. Students' performance difficulties were mainly associated with mental health problems and socioeconomic vulnerability. Of the 33 students, 27 (81.8%) were assisted by the Mental Health Support Service and 16 (48.5%) were assisted by the Social Assistance Service. In addition to the planning academic activity class load, tutors were able to assist students in solving socioeconomic issues, carrying out personal support interventions with the promotion of self-esteem, and presenting suggestions for behavioral changes in their routine. For most students (72%), the action plan proposed by the tutors was successful. Eight of the 14 (57%) students in the fourth year progressed to the final two years of in-hospital practical training (internship). CONCLUSIONS: The Academic Tutoring Program showed positive results for most of the students. Close monitoring and tutor intervention allowed students with poor academic performance to overcome the low performance cycle. These important tasks demand time and energy from tutors, and institutional recognition of these professionals is essential for the successful maintenance of the program.

ABSTRACT Background: São Paulo city has been one of the regions most affected by the COVID-19 pandemic in Brazil. Frequent asymptomatic and oligosymptomatic infections and poor access to diagnostic tests make serosurveys crucial to monitor the magnitude of the epidemic and to inform public health policies, such as vaccination plans. Objectives: To estimate, early in the epidemic, the seroprevalence of antibodies to SARS-CoV-2 in adults living in the six most affected districts in São Paulo city, and to assess potential associated risk factors. Methods: This was a cross-sectional population-based survey of 1,152 households randomly selected from 72 census tracts. During the period May 4-12, 2020, 463 participants completed a questionnaire on sociodemographic characteristics and history of symptoms in the past two weeks, and provided a blood sample. Prevalence of SARS-CoV-2 antibodies was the outcome of interest and was estimated based on results of two immunoassays, Maglumi SARS-CoV-2 chemiluminescence assay Immunoglobulin (Ig) M (IgM) and IgG, and Roche electrochemiluminescence assay total Ig. Serum samples reactive to either assay were considered positive. Results: Weighted overall seroprevalence was 6% (95%CI 3.9-8.3%). No association was observed between seropositivity and sex, age group or education level. Participants who reported black and brown skin color showed a 2.7 fold higher prevalence than people with white skin (p = 0.007). Among the 30 seropositive individuals, 14 (46.6%) reported no COVID-19 compatible symptoms in the past two weeks. Conclusion: This study represents the first assessment of SARS-CoV-2 seroprevalence in the city of São Paulo and 6% is the baseline estimate of a series of population-based seroprevalence surveys. Serological screening using sound serological assays is the key tool to monitoring temporal and geographic changes in the spread of the virus through an important epicenter of the COVID-19 pandemic in Brazil. Ultimately, it may inform prevention and control efforts.

Resumo Objetivo: examinar a perda de peso nos primeiros 18 meses em pacientes submetidos à cirurgia bariátrica. Métodos: um estudo de coorte retrospectiva foi realizado com 241 adultos submetidos à gastroplastia, entre janeiro/2006 e dezembro/2008, em um centro em São Paulo (Brasil). Foi feita a revisão dos prontuários e as variáveis analisadas foram sexo, idade, peso pré-cirúrgico imediato, adesão ao seguimento nutricional pós-operatório e duração do período pós-operatório. A proporção do peso inicial perdido durante os 18 primeiros meses pós-cirurgia foi analisada pela técnica de equações generalizadas de estimação. Resultados: 81% (n=195) eram mulheres; média de idade 44,4 ± 11,6 anos; média de peso pré-operatório 123,1± 21,2 kg; média do índice de massa corporal 47.2± 6.2 kg/m2. A prevalência de adesão ao seguimento nutricional pós-cirúrgico foi de 51% (IC95% = 44,5-57,5%). Peso pré-cirúrgico e adesão não se mostraram significativamente associados à redução da proporção do peso inicial (Teste de Wald p>0,18). A perda de peso tendeu a diminuir no final do período de 18 meses pós-cirúrgico nos grupos de pacientes aderentes e não aderentes (Teste de Wald p=0,00). Conclusão: nosso estudo mostrou que a perda de peso durante os primeiros 18 meses após a cirurgia chega a 40% do peso. O emagrecimento não foi associado ao peso pré-operatório, nem à adesão ao seguimento nutricional pós-cirúrgico e pode depender, principalmente, das alterações promovidas pelo procedimento cirúrgico em si. Esse achado poderá levar à proposição de intervenções para motivar os pacientes ao seguimento pós-operatório.

Summary Objective: to examine the association between preoperative body weight, adherence to postsurgical nutritional follow-up, length of postoperative period, and weight loss during the first 18 months among adults who have undergone bariatric surgery. Methods: a retrospective cohort study was conducted on 241 consecutive patients who underwent open Roux-en-Y gastric bypass (RYGBP) from January 2006 to December 2008, in a teaching hospital in São Paulo (Brazil). Data were collected through hospital records review and the variables analyzed included sex, age, immediate preoperative weight, adherence to postsurgical nutritional visits and length of postoperative period. Proportional body weight reductions during the 18-month follow-up period were examined using generalized estimating equations. Results: 81% (n=195) of participants were female, with overall mean age of 44.4 ± 11.6 years, mean preoperative weight of 123.1± 21.2 kg and mean preoperative body mass index of 47.2± 6.2 kg/m2. The overall adherence to postoperative follow- up schedule was 51% (95%CI: 44.5-57.5%). Preoperative body weight and adherence were not associated with proportional weight reduction (Wald’s test p > 0.18). Weight loss leveled off at the end of the 18-month follow-up period for both compliant and non-compliant patients (Wald’s test p = 0.00). Conclusions: our study showed that weight loss occurred steadily over the first 18 months after RYGBP, leveling off at around 40% weight reduction. It was associated with neither presurgical weight, nor nutritional follow-up and it may be primarily dependent on the surgical body alterations themselves. This finding may have implications for intervention strategies aimed at motivating patients to comply with early postsurgical and life-long follow-up.

Este artigo analisa as Políticas Intersetoriais Relacionadas à Saúde (PIRS), com base em um estudo de caso realizado em 2008 e 2009 que mapeou as políticas sociais do município de Piracicaba, São Paulo, Brasil. A estratégia de pesquisa compreendeu metodologias qualitativa e quantitativa. Marcos legais e teóricos foram aplicados aos resultados do estudo de Piracicaba, servindo de base para a proposição de três tipos de PIRS: políticas de saúde coordenadas pelo setor saúde e que necessitam de outros para serem bem sucedidas; políticas coordenadas por outro setor, diferente do da saúde, mas que necessitam da participação deste para serem efetivas; e as políticas intersetoriais genuínas, que não são lideradas por um único setor mas sim por um órgão intersetorial criado especificamente para sua coordenação. Os autores sustentam que somente a vontade política do gestor pode não ser suficiente para a promoção de políticas intersetoriais eficientes, e que a compreensão dos tipos de PIRS, e seus diferentes mecanismos de articulação, podem contribuir para o aprimoramento e a cobertura das políticas sociais que afetam positivamente a equidade em saúde e os determinantes sociais. No final, isto irá conduzir a resultados com maior equidade em saúde.

This article analyzes intersectorial health-related policies (IHRP) based on a case study performed in 2008-2009 that mapped the social policies of the city of Piracicaba, State of Sao Paulo, Brazil. The research strategy comprised quantitative and qualitative methodologies and converging information sources. Legal and theoretical conceptual frameworks were applied to the Piracicaba study results and served as the basis for proposing a typology of IHRP. Three types of IHRP were identified: health policies where the health sector is coordinator but needs non-health sectors to succeed; policies with a sector other than health as coordinator, but which needs health sector collaboration to succeed; and thirdly, genuine intersectorial policies, not led by any one sector but by a specifically-appointed intersectorial coordinator. The authors contend that political commitment of local authorities alone may not be enough to promote efficient intersectorial social policies. Comprehension of different types of IHRP and their interface mechanisms may contribute to greater efficiency and coverage of social policies that affect health equity and its social determinants positively. In the final analysis,, this will lead to more equitable health outcomes.

Este artigo analisa as Políticas Intersetoriais Relacionadas à Saúde (PIRS), com base em um estudo de caso realizado em 2008 e 2009 que mapeou as políticas sociais do município de Piracicaba, São Paulo, Brasil. A estratégia de pesquisa compreendeu metodologias qualitativa e quantitativa. Marcos legais e teóricos foram aplicados aos resultados do estudo de Piracicaba, servindo de base para a proposição de três tipos de PIRS: políticas de saúde coordenadas pelo setor saúde e que necessitam de outros para serem bem sucedidas; políticas coordenadas por outro setor, diferente do da saúde, mas que necessitam da participação deste para serem efetivas; e as políticas intersetoriais genuínas, que não são lideradas por um único setor mas sim por um órgão intersetorial criado especificamente para sua coordenação. Os autores sustentam que somente a vontade política do gestor pode não ser suficiente para a promoção de políticas intersetoriais eficientes, e que a compreensão dos tipos de PIRS, e seus diferentes mecanismos de articulação, podem contribuir para o aprimoramento e a cobertura das políticas sociais que afetam positivamente a equidade em saúde e os determinantes sociais. No final, isto irá conduzir a resultados com maior equidade em saúde.

This article analyzes intersectorial health-related policies (IHRP) based on a case study performed in 2008-2009 that mapped the social policies of the city of Piracicaba, State of Sao Paulo, Brazil. The research strategy comprised quantitative and qualitative methodologies and converging information sources. Legal and theoretical conceptual frameworks were applied to the Piracicaba study results and served as the basis for proposing a typology of IHRP. Three types of IHRP were identified: health policies where the health sector is coordinator but needs non-health sectors to succeed; policies with a sector other than health as coordinator, but which needs health sector collaboration to succeed; and thirdly, genuine intersectorial policies, not led by any one sector but by a specifically-appointed intersectorial coordinator. The authors contend that political commitment of local authorities alone may not be enough to promote efficient intersectorial social policies. Comprehension of different types of IHRP and their interface mechanisms may contribute to greater efficiency and coverage of social policies that affect health equity and its social determinants positively. In the final analysis,, this will lead to more equitable health outcomes.

Os profissionais da Estratégia Saúde da Família (ESF) atuam em comunidades onde a complexidade de problemáticas médico-sociais pode levá-los a sofrer psicologicamente, com prejuízos ao atendimento aos usuários e à consolidação da ESF como modelo de reorganização da atenção básica no Brasil. Esse estudo investigou as dificuldades e as formas de enfrentamento referidas por profissionais de equipes da ESF frente às demandas médico-sociais apresentadas pelos usuários em seu cotidiano de trabalho. Grupos focais e entrevistas semiestruturadas foram realizados com 68 profissionais de três Unidades de Saúde da Família da cidade de São Paulo. Tráfico e uso de drogas ilícitas, alcoolismo, depressão e violência doméstica são as demandas mais significativas para o grupo estudado. Frente a elas, os profissionais referem formação profissional e capacitação técnica insuficientes, sobrecarga e condições desfavoráveis de trabalho, com sentimentos de impotência e frustração. No enfrentamento das dificuldades, destacam-se as estratégias coletivas, especialmente as reuniões de equipe e apoio matricial, nas quais há troca de experiências, conhecimentos e apoio compartilhado. Os resultados indicam que as dificuldades referidas podem deixar os profissionais da ESF em situação de vulnerabilidade, tal como os usuários por eles atendidos. O investimento no desenvolvimento de competências, o fortalecimento de estratégias de enfrentamento coletivas, assim como maior articulação com as redes de serviços e as lideranças locais, mostram-se necessários para que os profissionais de saúde atuem com menor estresse frente às complexas demandas médico-sociais presentes em seu cotidiano de trabalho, e assim contribuam na consolidação da ESF.

Professionals of Family Health Strategy (FHS) work in communities where there are complex medical social problems. These contexts may lead them to psychological suffering, jeopardizing their care for the users, and creating yet another obstacle to the consolidation of FHS as the primary health care model in Brazil. The study investigated the difficulties and coping strategies reported by health professionals of the FHS teams when they face medical social needs of the communities where they work. Focus groups and semi-structured interviews were carried out with 68 professionals of three primary care units in the city of São Paulo (Southeastern Brazil). Drug dealing and abuse, alcoholism, depression and domestic violence are the most relevant problems mentioned by the study group. Professionals reported lack of adequate training, work overload, poor working conditions with feelings of professional impotence and frustration. To overcome these difficulties, professionals reported collective strategies, particularly experience sharing during team meetings and matrix support groups. The results indicate that the difficulties may put the professionals in a vulnerable state, similar to the patients they care for. The promotion of specialized and long term support should be reinforced, as well as the interaction with the local network of services and communities leaders. That may help professionals to deal with occupational stress related to medical and social needs present in their routine work; in the end, it may as well contribute to the strengthening of FHS.

Os profissionais da Estratégia Saúde da Família (ESF) atuam em comunidades onde a complexidade de problemáticas médico-sociais pode levá-los a sofrer psicologicamente, com prejuízos ao atendimento aos usuários e à consolidação da ESF como modelo de reorganização da atenção básica no Brasil. Esse estudo investigou as dificuldades e as formas de enfrentamento referidas por profissionais de equipes da ESF frente às demandas médico-sociais apresentadas pelos usuários em seu cotidiano de trabalho. Grupos focais e entrevistas semiestruturadas foram realizados com 68 profissionais de três Unidades de Saúde da Família da cidade de São Paulo. Tráfico e uso de drogas ilícitas, alcoolismo, depressão e violência doméstica são as demandas mais significativas para o grupo estudado. Frente a elas, os profissionais referem formação profissional e capacitação técnica insuficientes, sobrecarga e condições desfavoráveis de trabalho, com sentimentos de impotência e frustração. No enfrentamento das dificuldades, destacam-se as estratégias coletivas, especialmente as reuniões de equipe e apoio matricial, nas quais há troca de experiências, conhecimentos e apoio compartilhado. Os resultados indicam que as dificuldades referidas podem deixar os profissionais da ESF em situação de vulnerabilidade, tal como os usuários por eles atendidos. O investimento no desenvolvimento de competências, o fortalecimento de estratégias de enfrentamento coletivas, assim como maior articulação com as redes de serviços e as lideranças locais, mostram-se necessários para que os profissionais de saúde atuem com menor estresse frente às complexas demandas médico-sociais presentes em seu cotidiano de trabalho, e assim contribuam na consolidação da ESF.

Professionals of Family Health Strategy (FHS) work in communities where there are complex medical social problems. These contexts may lead them to psychological suffering, jeopardizing their care for the users, and creating yet another obstacle to the consolidation of FHS as the primary health care model in Brazil. The study investigated the difficulties and coping strategies reported by health professionals of the FHS teams when they face medical social needs of the communities where they work. Focus groups and semi-structured interviews were carried out with 68 professionals of three primary care units in the city of São Paulo (Southeastern Brazil). Drug dealing and abuse, alcoholism, depression and domestic violence are the most relevant problems mentioned by the study group. Professionals reported lack of adequate training, work overload, poor working conditions with feelings of professional impotence and frustration. To overcome these difficulties, professionals reported collective strategies, particularly experience sharing during team meetings and matrix support groups. The results indicate that the difficulties may put the professionals in a vulnerable state, similar to the patients they care for. The promotion of specialized and long term support should be reinforced, as well as the interaction with the local network of services and communities leaders. That may help professionals to deal with occupational stress related to medical and social needs present in their routine work; in the end, it may as well contribute to the strengthening of FHS.

OBJETIVO: Estimar a prevalência da adesão ao seguimento nutricional ambulatorial pós-cirúrgico e avaliar sua associação com fatores selecionados em indivíduos submetidos à cirurgia bariátrica. MÉTODOS: Estudo de coorte retrospectiva com base na revisão de dados pós-operatórios de 241 prontuários de adultos submetidos à gastroplastia redutora com derivação em Y de Roux entre 2006 e 2008. Considerou-se aderente o indivíduo que compareceu a quatro ou mais consultas nutricionais nos 12 primeiros meses após a cirurgia. Para investigar a associação entre adesão ao seguimento nutricional e idade, sexo, estado conjugal, escolaridade, situação empregatícia, distância entre a residência e o hospital, estratégias para perda de peso no período pré-operatório, índice de massa corporal no pré-cirúrgico imediato, presença de comorbidades e duração da internação pós-operatória, foram calculadas razões de prevalência e utilizou-se regressão múltipla de Poisson. RESULTADOS: A prevalência de adesão foi de 56% (IC95%=49,7-62,3) nessa população predominantemente feminina (80,9%), com média de idade de 44,4 anos (DP=11,6) e de IMC pré-operatório de 47,2kg/m² (DP=6,2). Dos fatores estudados, somente a duração da internação pós-operatória igual ou superior a 6 dias mostrou-se significativamente associada à adesão após análise ajustada por sexo e idade (RP=1,46; IC95%=1,15-1,86). CONCLUSÃO: A prevalência de adesão encontrada foi semelhante às de estudos internacionais, mas baixa considerando-se 75% como referência. A maior adesão observada nos indivíduos com internação pós-operatória prolongada pode sugerir que o maior contato com a equipe multiprofissional aumente a percepção da necessidade de cuidados com a saúde em longo prazo.

OBJECTIVE: This study estimated the prevalence of adherence to outpatient postoperative nutritional follow-up after bariatric surgery and analyzed the association between adherence and selected factors. METHODS: A total of 241 records of female and male adults who underwent Roux-en-Y gastric bypass between 2006 and 2008 were reviewed for this retrospective cohort study. The data included the preoperative and postoperative periods. Individuals were considered compliant when they attended four or more nutritional appointments in the first 12 months after surgery. Prevalence ratios were calculated for estimating the association between adherence to postoperative nutritional follow-up and factors such as age, gender, marital status, education level, employment status, distance between home and hospital, weight loss strategies used during the preoperative period, body mass index immediately before surgery, presence of comorbidities and duration of hospital stay after surgery, and the Poisson multiple regression was used for adjusted analysis. RESULTS: Adherence prevalence was 56.0% (CI95% 49.7-62.3). Women composed 80.9% of the population; the mean age of the sample was 44.4 years (SD=11.6) and mean preoperative body mass index was 47.2kg/m² (SD=6.2). Among the study factors, only duration of postoperative hospital stay was significantly associated with adherence after adjustment for age and gender (PR=1.46 CI95% 1.15-1.86). CONCLUSION: The adherence prevalence of this population was similar to those of foreign studies, but below the minimum prevalence of 75% considered reference. The greater adherence of individuals with longer postoperative hospital stays may have stemmed from their prolonged interaction with the multidisciplinary team, which may have increased their awareness of disease severity and need of long-term health care.

INTRODUCTION: The present study was motivated by the need to systematically assess the research productivity of the Heart Institute (InCor), Medical School of the University of São Paulo, Brazil. OBJECTIVE: To explore methodology for the assessment of institutional scientific research productivity. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Bibliometric indicators based on searches for author affiliation of original scientific articles or reviews published in journals indexed in the databases Web of Science, MEDLINE, EMBASE, LILACS and SciELO from January 2000 to December 2003 were used in this study. The retrieved records were analyzed according to the index parameters of the journals and modes of access. The number of citations was used to calculate the institutional impact factor. RESULTS: Out of 1253 records retrieved from the five databases, 604 original articles and reviews were analyzed; of these, 246 (41%) articles were published in national journals and 221 (90%) of those were in journals with free online access through SciELO or their own websites. Of the 358 articles published in international journals, 333 (93%) had controlled online access and 223 (67%) were available through the Capes Portal of Journals. The average impact of each article for InCor was 2.224 in the period studied. CONCLUSION: A simple and practical methodology to evaluate the scientific production of health research institutions includes searches in the LILACS database for national journals and in MEDLINE and the Web of Science for international journals. The institutional impact factor of articles indexed in the Web of Science may serve as a measure by which to assess and review the scientific productivity of a research institution.