Resumo Introdução Os exames integram o sistema de saúde e contribuem para o avanço da assistência. A sua solicitação pelos médicos deve ser realizada adequadamente, podendo ser influenciada por diferentes aspectos. Objetivo Desenvolver e validar um instrumento de avaliação de aspectos que influenciam a solicitação de exames. Método Trata-se de um estudo transversal e analítico que passou pelas seguintes etapas: 1) identificação dos aspectos que influenciam a solicitação de exames na prática médica; 2) verificação da validade aparente e validade de conteúdo; 3) verificação da validade de construto; 4) análise da confiabilidade; 5) verificação da validade discriminante, aplicada a 158 médicos de família e emergencistas no norte de Minas Gerais. Resultados O instrumento permaneceu com 36 itens, psicometricamente válidos, agrupados em cinco dimensões: particularidade pessoal do médico; estrutura e processos do sistema de saúde; características do paciente; preparo profissional; e dificuldade para a realização do exame. O instrumento apresentou validade aparente, validade de conteúdo, validade de construto, nível satisfatório de confiabilidade e validade discriminante. Conclusão O instrumento de avaliação dos aspectos que influenciam a solicitação de exames na prática médica tem a possibilidade de identificar a influência particular de cada aspecto e de cada dimensão que interfere na prática de solicitação de exames.

Abstract Background Exams are part of the health system, and they contribute to the advancement of care. The request of exams by physicians must be performed properly, and can be influenced by different aspects. Objective Develop and validate an instrument to evaluate aspects that influence the request for exams. Method This is a cross-sectional, analytical study conducted in the following steps: 1) Identification of the aspects that influence the request for exams in medical practice; 2) Verification of apparent and content validity; 3) Verification of construct validity; 4) Reliability analysis; 5) Verification of discriminant validity applied to 158 family and emergency physicians in the north of Minas Gerais state. Results The instrument was composed of 36 psychometrically valid items grouped into five dimensions: particularity of the physician, structure and processes of the health system, characteristics of the patient, professional expertise, and difficulty conducting the exam. The instrument presented apparent and content validity, construct validity, satisfactory level of reliability, and discriminant validity. Conclusion The instrument to assess aspects that influence the request of exams in medical practice can identify the particular influence of each aspect and each dimension that interferes with the practice of requesting exams.

RESUMO Objetivou-se compreender a solicitação de exames por médicos na Atenção Primária à Saúde. Trata-se de estudo qualitativo, com médicos de família de Montes Claros (MG). Os dados foram obtidos por entrevista não estruturada e examinados via análise do discurso. A solicitação de exames é influenciada pela formação profissional, pelas características da Estratégia Saúde da Família - primeiro contato para as questões de saúde; realização do cuidado integral, continuado e coordenado pela equipe -, pela possibilidade de gerir o tempo de atendimento, pelo trabalho multiprofissional e pelas dificuldades enfrentadas - demanda dos pacientes por exames e pressão dos gestores por menos solicitações.

ABSTRACT This is a qualitative study with family physicians from Montes Claros (MG), aimed at understanding the request for exams by physicians in Primary Health Care. Data were obtained by means of unstructured interviews and were examined through discourse analysis. The request for exams is influenced by professional education; by Family Health Strategy characteristics, the first contact on health issues; by carrying out integral and continued care, coordinated by the team; by the possibility of managing attendance duration; by multi-professional work; and by difficulties faced: demand for exams by the patients and pressure by managers for less requests.

RESUMO Objetivou-se compreender a solicitação de exames por médicos na Atenção Primária à Saúde. Trata-se de estudo qualitativo, com médicos de família de Montes Claros (MG). Os dados foram obtidos por entrevista não estruturada e examinados via análise do discurso. A solicitação de exames é influenciada pela formação profissional, pelas características da Estratégia Saúde da Família - primeiro contato para as questões de saúde; realização do cuidado integral, continuado e coordenado pela equipe -, pela possibilidade de gerir o tempo de atendimento, pelo trabalho multiprofissional e pelas dificuldades enfrentadas - demanda dos pacientes por exames e pressão dos gestores por menos solicitações.

ABSTRACT This is a qualitative study with family physicians from Montes Claros (MG), aimed at understanding the request for exams by physicians in Primary Health Care. Data were obtained by means of unstructured interviews and were examined through discourse analysis. The request for exams is influenced by professional education; by Family Health Strategy characteristics, the first contact on health issues; by carrying out integral and continued care, coordinated by the team; by the possibility of managing attendance duration; by multi-professional work; and by difficulties faced: demand for exams by the patients and pressure by managers for less requests.

O objetivo deste relato é apresentar um caso raro de malformação craniana - a síndrome do crânio em folha de trevo -, cuja característica foi percebida após o nascimento de uma criança com os sinais da anomalia. Métodos de diagnóstico por imagem, como tomografia computadorizada e radiografia convencional, foram utilizados para a caracterização da síndrome.

The present report is aimed at describing a rare case of cranial malformation - cloverleaf skull syndrome -, whose presence was noticed after the birth of a child with signs of abnormality. Imaging diagnosis methods such as computed tomography and conventional radiography were used to characterize the syndrome.

Objective To evaluate the knowledge about diagnostic imaging methods among primary care and medical emergency physicians. Materials and Methods Study developed with 119 primary care and medical emergency physicians in Montes Claros, MG, Brazil, by means of a structured questionnaire about general knowledge and indications of imaging methods in common clinical settings. A rate of correct responses corresponding to ≥ 80% was considered as satisfactory. The Poisson regression (PR) model was utilized in the data analysis. Results Among the 81 individuals who responded the questionnaire, 65% (n = 53) demonstrated to have satisfactory general knowledge and 44% (n = 36) gave correct responses regarding indications of imaging methods. Respectively, 65% (n = 53) and 51% (n = 41) of the respondents consider that radiography and computed tomography do not use ionizing radiation. The prevalence of a satisfactory general knowledge about imaging methods was associated with medical residency in the respondents' work field (PR = 4.55; IC 95%: 1.18-16.67; p-value: 0.03), while the prevalence of correct responses regarding indication of imaging methods was associated with the professional practice in primary health care (PR = 1.79; IC 95%: 1.16-2.70; p-value: 0.01). Conclusion Major deficiencies were observed as regards the knowledge about imaging methods among physicians, with better results obtained by those involved in primary health care and by residents.