Resumo O câncer gástrico (CG) é um problema de saúde pública com alta incidência e mortalidade na Colômbia, devido ao seu diagnóstico tardio e às barreiras ao tratamento curativo, o que deixa os cuidados paliativos (CP) como única opção terapêutica. O objetivo é descrever as barreiras aos cuidados de CP percebidos pelo adulto com CG, cuidador e médico assistente em Santander, Colômbia. Um estudo qualitativo foi realizado com a análise da teoria fundamentada (Strauss e Corbin), por meio de entrevistas semiestruturadas, após amostragem por conveniência, constatou-se que as barreiras de acesso foram; administrativo, econômico, cultural, conhecimento, comunicação, institucional e geográfico; as estratégias para superá-los: programas de triagem, vigilância governamental e investimento em saúde. Em conclusão, o acesso à PC deve ser melhorado, eliminando barreiras ao acesso oportuno e abrangente e fortalecendo as políticas de saúde e educação, com a participação ativa do Estado e da comunidade para garantir a assistência à saúde.

Abstract Gastric cancer (GC) is a public health issue with high incidence and mortality in Colombia due to tardy diagnosis and barriers to access to curative treatment; this leaves palliative care (PC) as the only option. Our aim is to describe the access barriers to PC perceived by adults with GC, caregivers and physician in Santander, Colombia. A qualitative study was carried out with the analysis of the grounded theory (Strauss and Corbin), through semi-structured interviews, after sampling for convenience we found that the access barriers were: administrative, economic, cultural, knowledge, communication, institutional and geographical; strategies to overcome barriers: screening programs, governmental surveillance, and investment in health. In conclusion, access to PC requires remove barriers to timely and integral access and strengthen health and education policies to facilitate procedures and services that ensure the attention required by the adult with GC.

Resumo O câncer gástrico (CG) é um problema de saúde pública com alta incidência e mortalidade na Colômbia, devido ao seu diagnóstico tardio e às barreiras ao tratamento curativo, o que deixa os cuidados paliativos (CP) como única opção terapêutica. O objetivo é descrever as barreiras aos cuidados de CP percebidos pelo adulto com CG, cuidador e médico assistente em Santander, Colômbia. Um estudo qualitativo foi realizado com a análise da teoria fundamentada (Strauss e Corbin), por meio de entrevistas semiestruturadas, após amostragem por conveniência, constatou-se que as barreiras de acesso foram; administrativo, econômico, cultural, conhecimento, comunicação, institucional e geográfico; as estratégias para superá-los: programas de triagem, vigilância governamental e investimento em saúde. Em conclusão, o acesso à PC deve ser melhorado, eliminando barreiras ao acesso oportuno e abrangente e fortalecendo as políticas de saúde e educação, com a participação ativa do Estado e da comunidade para garantir a assistência à saúde.

Abstract Gastric cancer (GC) is a public health issue with high incidence and mortality in Colombia due to tardy diagnosis and barriers to access to curative treatment; this leaves palliative care (PC) as the only option. Our aim is to describe the access barriers to PC perceived by adults with GC, caregivers and physician in Santander, Colombia. A qualitative study was carried out with the analysis of the grounded theory (Strauss and Corbin), through semi-structured interviews, after sampling for convenience we found that the access barriers were: administrative, economic, cultural, knowledge, communication, institutional and geographical; strategies to overcome barriers: screening programs, governmental surveillance, and investment in health. In conclusion, access to PC requires remove barriers to timely and integral access and strengthen health and education policies to facilitate procedures and services that ensure the attention required by the adult with GC.

Resumen Introducción: el cáncer gástrico es un problema de salud pública; ocupa el quinto y tercer lugar en incidencia y mortalidad mundial, respectivamente. Objetivo: describir las barreras para la atención en salud percibidas por el adulto con cáncer gástrico, su cuidador y el médico tratante en el departamento de Santander, Colombia-etapa exploratoria en el período 2015-2016. Metodología: estudio cualitativo utilizando algunas técnicas del proceso de análisis de la teoría fundamentada a partir de la aplicación de entrevistas semiestructuradas que fueron codificadas y categorizadas con el software N-VIVO 10. Resultados: Emergieron 13 categorías, 182 códigos descritos en 6 ejes: el primero relacionado con el significado del cáncer y sus barreras; el segundo con las principales barreras para la atención en salud, cuyo orden de mayor a menor frecuencia fue: administrativas, económicas, culturales, de conocimiento, de comunicación e institucionales; el tercero es las estrategias para superar las barreras; el cuarto, las estrategias para disminuirlas; el quinto, sentimientos y el rol de la familia; y el sexto, necesidades del paciente. Conclusión: la fragmentación y segmentación del sistema de salud impone barreras que limitan el diagnóstico temprano del cáncer gástrico y su manejo oportuno. Además, amenazan la calidad de vida del adulto enfermo y su familia.

Abstract Introduction: Gastric cancer is a public health problem that ranks fifth in world incidence and third in mortality. Objective: The aim of the exploratory stage of this study was to describe the barriers to health care perceived by adults with gastric cancer, their caregivers, and their attending physicians in the department of Santander, Colombia in 2015 and 2016. Methodology: This is a qualitative study using process techniques and grounded theory analysis based on semi-structured interviews that were codified and categorized with N-VIVO 10. Results: Thirteen categories and 182 codes described along 6 axes emerged. The first axis is related to the meaning of cancer and its barriers. The second is related to the primary barriers to health care which are, in order from most frequent to least frequent: administrative, economic, cultural, knowledge, communication and institutional. The third axis consists of strategies to overcome barriers. The fourth consists of strategies to diminish barriers. The fifth is related to feelings and the role of the family, and the sixth contains the patient’s needs. Conclusion: Fragmentation and segmentation of the health care system imposes barriers that limit early diagnosis of gastric cancer and timely management. In addition, they threaten the quality of life of the sick adult and her or his family.

Resumen Introducción: la fibrilación auricular es una enfermedad multifactorial, que alcanza una prevalencia del 1 al 2% en la población general. Objetivo: determinar las características clínicas de los pacientes con fibrilación auricular atendidos en atención primaria en una institución de alta complejidad del Nororiente colombiano. Métodos: estudio observacional descriptivo de corte transversal, en el que se recopilaron datos demográficos, clínicos, escala de riesgo tromboembólico y modalidades de tratamiento mediante las historias clínicas electrónicas de pacientes con fibrilación auricular. Resultados: entre 528 historias clínicas analizadas, se seleccionaron 199, con edad promedio de 76,47( 8,94 años; 121 fueron mujeres (60,80%). Respecto al tipo de fibrilación auricular, 35 (17,59%) pacientes eran de tipo valvular y 164 (82,41%) no valvular. 152 (76,38%) tenían anticoagulación oral, 67 (33,84%) manejo antiagregante (ácido acetilsalicílico) y 39 (19,60%) terapia combinada. Según la escala CHADS2, 9 (4,5%) pacientes se clasificaban en bajo riesgo, 30 (15,1%) en moderado y 160 (80,4%) en alto. En el grupo de bajo riesgo, 6 estaban en manejo anticoagulante mientras que en el grupo de alto riesgo, 11 no recibían tratamiento farmacológico. Conclusión: a partir de los hallazgos mencionados, es fundamental fortalecer los esquemas de tromboprofilaxis de los pacientes con fibrilación auricular mediante la actualización y el conocimiento de las guías de práctica clínica por parte del médico tratante. Así mismo, es recomendable usar las escalas CHADS2 y HAS-BLED con el fin de ofrecer tratamiento individualizado y oportuno de modo que se eviten complicaciones.

Abstract Introduction: Atrial fibrillation is a disease caused by many factors, and has a prevalence of 1-2% in the general population. Objective: To determine the clinical characteristics of patients with atrial fibrillation treated in Primary care in a high complexity health centre in North-eastern Colombia. Material and methods: A cross-sectional, observational and descriptive study in which a record was made of the demographic and clinical data, with the scores on the thromboembolic risk scale, as well as any treatments, taken from the computerised medical records of patients with atrial fibrillation. Results: A total of 528 medical records analysed, from which 199 were selected. The mean age was 76.47( 8.94 years and 121 (60.8%) were women. As regards the type of atrial fibrillation, 35 (17.59%) patients had a valvular type, and 164 (82.41%) non-valvular. Oral anticoagulants were prescribed in 152 (76.38%) patients, 67 (33.84%) with antiplatelet (acetyl salicylic acid) treatment, and 39 (19.60%) were on combined therapy. According to the CHADS2 scale, 9 (4.5%) were classified as low risk, 30 (15.1%) as moderate, and 160 (80.4%) as high risk. In the low risk group, 6 were on anticoagulant therapy, while 11 patients in the high risk group did not receive any drug treatment. Conclusion: From the findings mentioned, it is essential that the thrombo-prophylaxis schemes of patients with atrial fibrillation are reinforced by updating, as well as knowledge of the clinical practice guidelines by the treating physician. Furthermore, it is recommended to use the CHADS2 and HAS-BLED scales, with the aim of offering individualised and appropriate treatment in order to avoid complications.