Care In Colombia Research Articles

Advancing Cancer Care in Colombia: Results of the First In Situ Implementation of Comprehensive Genomic Profiling.

Comprehensive genomic profiling (CGP) identifies genetic alterations and patterns that are crucial for therapy selection and precise treatment development. In Colombia, limited access to CGP tests underscores the necessity of documenting the prevalence of treatable genetic alterations. This study aimed to describe the somatic genetic profile of specific cancer types in Colombian patients and assess its impact on treatment selection. A retrospective cohort study was conducted at Clínica Colsanitas S.A. from March 2023 to June 2024. Sequencing was performed on the NextSeq2000 platform with the TruSight Oncology 500 (TSO500) assay, which simultaneously evaluates 523 genes for DNA analysis and 55 for RNA; additionally, analyses were performed with the SOPHiA DDM software. The tumor mutational burden (TMB), microsatellite instability (MSI), and programmed cell death ligand 1 (PDL1) were assessed. Among 111 patients, 103 were evaluated, with gastrointestinal (27.93%), respiratory (13.51%), and central nervous system cancers (10.81%) being the most prevalent. TP53 (37%), KMT2C (28%), and KRAS (21%) were frequent mutations. Actionable findings were detected in 76.7% of cases, notably in digestive (20 patients) and lung cancers (8 patients). MSI was stable at 82.52% and high at 2.91%, whilst TMB was predominantly low (91.26%). The test has facilitated access to targeted therapies, improving clinical outcomes in Colombian patients. This profiling test is expected to increase opportunities for personalized medicine in Colombia.

Developing research priorities for palliative care in Colombia: a priority setting partnership approach

BackgroundA recent Lancet commission called for more research on palliative care in low- and middle-income (LMIC) countries such as Colombia. A research priority setting approach has been recommended by The Global Forum for Health Research to address the huge gap in research output between LMIC and high-income countries, with influential health service bodies recommending the active involvement of non-research expert stakeholders in establishing research priorities to address service user needs.MethodPriority setting partnership (PSP) following the four stages of the James Lind Alliance methodology; establishing the partnership, identifying evidence uncertainties, refining questions and uncertainties, and prioritization. Data from MS forms were analysed using descriptive statistics.ResultsA total of 33 stakeholders attended an online PSP workshop and completed the Mentimeter exercise in Microsoft Teams. A total of 48 attended the subsequent in person prioritisation exercise in urban Bogota (n = 22) and rural Popayan (n = 25). The stakeholders were a diverse group of health professionals (physicians, medical students, nurses, dentists, physiotherapists, nutritionist, occupational and speech therapists), financial and administrative staff and patients with life-limiting illness and caregivers. Top research priorities included patient and caregiver needs, service provider education and training, and better integration of palliative care with cancer and non-cancer services. The key challenges included a lack of interest in palliative care research, along with funding, time and resource constraints. Key solutions included collaboration across disciplines and settings, highlighting benefits of palliative research to help secure adequate resources, and multicentre, mixed method research, with patient involvement from the research development stage.ConclusionThe findings of this PSP should be disseminated among palliative care associations worldwide to inform international multicentre studies, and among governmental and nongovernmental organisations that promote research in Colombia. A focus on patient and family caregiver palliative care needs in Colombia should be prioritised.

Cancer mortality among Colombian and foreign populations over a 15-year period

PurposeWe aimed to compare cancer mortality among foreign- and Colombian populations in Colombia during the period of 2006–2020. MethodsThis retrospective study utilized vital statistics from the Colombian National Department of Statistics (DANE). The dataset included variables such as age group, sex, country of permanent residency, insurance, education level, marital status, ethnicity, and cause of death. The population data to calculate rates was obtained from the Colombian census and the United Nations. Crude and adjusted rates as well as proportional mortality rates were calculated. ResultsA total of 561,932 cancer deaths occurred in Colombia from 2006 to 2020. The foreign population (country of permanent residency different to Colombia) had a lower crude cancer mortality rate (31.1 per 100,000 inhabitants) than the Colombian population (81.9 per 100,000 inhabitants). However, the age-adjusted cancer mortality rate among the foreign population was 253.6 per 100,000, compared to 86.1 per 100,000 among the Colombian population. The proportional cancer mortality was 10.4 % among foreign population compared to 17.4 % among Colombian population. ConclusionsThe proportional cancer mortality shows that the proportion of cancer-related deaths is greater among the Colombian population compared to the immigrant population. However, immigrants in Colombia have a higher age-adjusted cancer mortality rate than Colombians, indicating that immigrants have worse cancer outcomes than the Colombians even though the immigrant population is younger. This is likely due to the frequent barriers that immigrants encounter in accessing health care in Colombia. Future research needs to focus on access to care for the immigrant population by investigating cancer-related risk factors among immigrants and addressing their barriers to cancer prevention and treatment.

Validation of an instrument to guide the implementation of strategies for mental health care in Colombia.

To validate the implementation drivers scale among first-level mental health care professionals in Colombia. The scale is designed as a tool to guide the implementation of strategies that effectively reduce gaps in mental health care. The Active Implementation Framework was adopted, which is a widely used model for measuring implementation. The participants included 380 individuals (55.56% men) - 349 health personnel trained in the Mental Health Gap Action Programme (mhGAP) and 31 territorial personnel in charge of planning mental health strategies at the territorial level in Colombia. To assess the critical dimensions of mhGAP implementation, we developed a scale of 18 items based on the active implementation framework. We conducted content validity assessments and exploratory factor analysis to evaluate the scale. We used the Organizational Readiness for Knowledge Translation scale as a comparative standard. The implementation drivers scale identified four dimensions: system enablers for implementation, accessibility of the strategy, adaptability and acceptability, and strategy training and supervision. These dimensions had Cronbach alpha values of 0.914, 0.868, 0.927, and 0.725, respectively, indicating high internal consistency. In addition, all dimensions demonstrated adequate correlation with the Organizational Readiness for Knowledge Translation scale. The implementation drivers scale effectively determines the adaptability and implementation of various components of mental health programs, particularly those focusing on community-based approaches and primary care settings. As such, this scale can contribute to the more effective implementation of strategies outlined by global and local political frameworks, thus improving mental health care.

Recurrent voluntary termination of pregnancy. Prevalence study and exploration of associated factors. Antioquia, Colombia, 2015 – 2021

To describe the prevalence of recurrent voluntary termination of pregnancy (VTP) and to explore associated factors. Descriptive, cross-sectional cohort study which included women seen between 2015 and 2021 in five sites of an institution located in the Department of Antioquia which promotes sexual and reproductive health (SRH) care in Colombia. Measured variables included sociodemographics, SRH, recurrent performance of VTP, type of procedure used in the first VTP and contraception method selected afterwards. The prevalence of global and yearly recurrent abortion period is presented. Associated factors were explored using a multivariate analysis. The research committee of the institution approved the study. In total, 20,423 women were included. The prevalence of recurrent VTP was 4.07% (n = 831) during the entire period, ranging between 2.3 and 6% over the 7 years. The most commonly used method for recurrent VTP was pharmacological induction (48.50%). After the first VTP, 69.81% of women used contraceptive methods classified as “very effective” according to the World Health Organization. The risk factors identified as being associated with recurrent VTP included being part of the state-subsidized health insurance system (adjusted odds ratio [aOR] = 1.35; 95 % CI:1.05-1.72) and having had two or more pregnancies (aOR = 1.23; 95% CI: 1.06 - 1.44). Protective factors were identified and included out-of-pocket payment for VTP service (aOR = 0.71; 95% CI: 0.61-0.82), a history of late VTP (aOR = 0.30; 95% CI: 0.11-0.81), and the selection of a subdermal implant for contraception following the first abortion (sOR = 0.64; 95% CI: 0.49 – 0.83). It is possible that the prevalence of recurrent VTP is increasing. Prospective studies are required in order to determine whether there is a growing trend and to verify potential association hypotheses derived from this work.

EE58 Endometrial Cancer Care in Colombia: A Cost-of-Illness Study Based on Administrative Claims Databases

EE58 Endometrial Cancer Care in Colombia: A Cost-of-Illness Study Based on Administrative Claims Databases

Occupational risk assessment of glutaraldehyde through personal air monitoring in a hospital setting.

Glutaraldehyde is a high-efficiency disinfectant that has been included in the protocols of some hospitals for controlling the spread of SARS-CoV-2, together with sodium hypochlorite and quaternary ammonium disinfectants. However, exposure has been poorly studied in workplace settings, despite the association between glutaraldehyde and respiratory diseases and skin conditions in exposed workers. This study evaluated the magnitude of exposure associated with the use of glutaraldehyde in healthcare workers across various work areas of a first level of Hospital-Based Care in Colombia. Workers were classified into similar exposure groups (SEGs) based on work areas and tasks performed, and airborne concentrations of glutaraldehyde were measured in different work areas of each SEG through direct monitoring. The 95th percentile of glutaraldehyde concentrations in all SEGs studied exceeded the TLV-C immediately after use. Cleaning workers and nurses had the highest exposures to glutaraldehyde. Results indicate that workers were overexposed and highlight the need to implement controls to reduce exposure. The high-exposure levels also raise the need to consider glutaraldehyde substitution and adequate use of personal protective equipment (PPE).

Patient–doctor interactions around alternative and complementary medicine in the context of oncology care in a Latin American country

ObjectiveTo characterize doctor-patient communication patterns around the use of complementary and alternative medicines (CAM) in the context of oncology care in Colombia. MethodsA qualitative study was conducted using snowball sampling until data saturation was reached. We included oncology specialists and cancer patients who were in active treatment. Semi-structured interviews were conducted following a guide designed for each group of participants. An analysis based on open coding was performed to identify thematic areas. The coherence of emerging categories was verified by contrasting the data set within the content of the participants’ reports and existing literature. ResultsIn total, 10 oncologists and 16 cancer patients were included, representing diverse professional fields and cancer diagnoses, respectively. Communication patterns comprise themes regarding the beginning of the interaction (i.e., patient’s anticipations), the patient–doctor relationship (i.e., confidence), the characteristics of the message (i.e., synthetic vs explanatory), the communication styles (i.e., confrontational vs conciliatory), and the closing of the interaction (i.e., continuity vs. end of communication). In addition, extrinsic factors influencing communication were found to be related to participants (i.e., knowledge, cultural background) and context (i.e., institutional procedures). ConclusionsThe low frequency of communication contrasts to the increasing use of CAM. Divergent perspectives between doctors and patients could limit shared decision-making on the use of CAM. Enhanced knowledge and education on CAM for both actors is fundamental to improve their interaction and to move away from paternalistic and confrontational communication, particularly in a world region with cultural backgrounds that influence the use of CAM.

Fear of COVID-19, risk perception and preventive behavior in health workers: a cross-sectional analysis in middle-income Latin American countries.

The aim of this study was to examine the association between fear of COVID-19 and risk perception with preventive behavior in health professionals from four Latin American countries. An analytical cross-sectional study was conducted. Health professionals with on-site care in Colombia, Ecuador, Guatemala, and Peru were surveyed. Information was collected through an online self-report questionnaire. The main variables were preventive behavior as the dependent variable and fear of COVID-19 and risk perception as independent variables. Linear regression was used, and unstandardized beta coefficient and value of ps were calculated. Four hundred and thirty-five health professionals were included, the majority were aged 42 years or older (45.29, 95%CI: 40.65-50.01) and female (67.82, 95%CI: 63.27-72.05). It was shown that the greater the fear of COVID-19, the greater the preventive behavior of COVID-19 infection (B = 2.21, p = 0.002 for total behavior; B = 1.12, p = 0.037 for additional protection at work; B = 1.11, p < 0.010 for hand washing). The risk perception of COVID-19 infection had a slight direct relationship with preventive behaviours (B = 0.28, p = 0.021 for total behavior; B = 0.13, p = 0.015 for hand washing), with the exception of the preventive behavior of using additional protection at work (p = 0.339). We found that fear and risk perception are associated with increased practice of hand washing and use of additional protection at work. Further studies are required on the influence of working conditions, job performance and the occurrence of mental health problems in frontline personnel with regard to COVID-19.

Health professionals’ preferences with the use of pegfilgrastim on-body injector at oncology centers in 8 cities in Colombia

BackgroundFebrile neutropenia associated with some chemotherapy regimens can lead to potentially fatal complications and high health care costs. Administration of pegfilgrastim using an On-Body Injector (OBI) may be more convenient for cancer patients and physicians in countries with limited access to high-complexity healthcare. This study aims to describe physician and nurse preferences regarding different options for administration of pegfilgrastim at cancer centers, the chemotherapy schemes for which pegfilgrastim is most frequently prescribed and how healthcare providers prioritize certain administration schemes according to patients’ access to healthcare services.MethodsObservational, descriptive, cross-sectional study and survey, conducted between 2019 and 2020, to describe physician and nurse preferences regarding options for administration of pegfilgrastim at cancer centers, the demographics of the study population and characteristics of participating cancer centers. It included 60 healthcare professionals practicing at oncology centers from 8 cities in Colombia who were contacted and surveyed via telephone. Quantitative continuous variables were summarized using central tendency and dispersion measures.ResultsIt was found that 35% of participants are haemato-oncologists, oncologists or hematologists, 30% are general practitioners, and 35% are other healthcare professionals (i.e., nurse, oncology nurse and head nurse). Our study shows that 48% of physicians prefer the use of OBI, particularly in the scheme of 24 h after myelosuppressive chemotherapy administrations. Regardless of patient frailty and travel time to the clinic, over 90% of healthcare providers (HCPs) prefer to prioritize preventing the patient from having to return to the clinic for pegfilgrastim administration as well as to increase healthcare staff availability through the use of OBI.ConclusionsThe present study is the first one in Colombia that sought the reasons behind HCPs’ choice to use OBI pegfilgrastim. Our results indicate that most professionals prefer to avoid the patient having to re-enter the care center for pegfilgrastim administration to facilitate access to healthcare for patients; patient characteristics and ease of transport are determining factors for respondents when choosing an option for drug administration. We found OBI is the preferred alternative by most HCPs and a good resource optimization strategy in the context of cancer patients’ health care in Colombia.

Into the tropics: Temperature, mortality, and access to health care in Colombia

This paper analyzes the relationship between temperature, mortality, and adaptation opportunities in a tropical country. Such countries host almost 40% of the world’s population and face inherently different environmental, demographic, and socio-economic conditions than their counterparts in temperate areas. Using detailed data from all Colombian municipalities, I show that anomalously hot or cold days increase mortality even at narrow temperature ranges, which are characteristic of the tropics. An additional day with a mean temperature above 27 °C (80.6 ∘F) increases mortality rates by approximately 0.24 deaths per 100,000, equivalent to 0.7% of monthly death rates. Unlike temperate locations, I find that deaths attributed to infectious diseases and respiratory illnesses drive this relationship in the hot part of the distribution, mainly affecting children aged 0–9. These findings uncover new factors and populations at risk and imply that the average person who dies after a hot temperature shock loses approximately 30 years of life. I also provide evidence that access to health care and quality of services could mediate between temperature and mortality.

Ernesto Bustamante Zuleta (1922-2021): pioneering teacher and practitioner of Colombian neurosurgery.

Ernesto Bustamante Zuleta (1922-2021) was an impactful Colombian neurosurgeon whose legacy is inextricably linked with the development of the neurosurgery specialty in Colombia. His detail-oriented approach to treatment complemented his reputation for mastery of the neurosciences. Never simply confined to the operating theater, this calm and considerate physician felt compelled to teach during his entire career. The result of his teaching made a lasting imprint on an entire generation of neurosurgeons who subsequently established a high standard of neurosurgical care in Colombia. A true pioneer, Bustamante comprehensively engaged in his field, from founding the country's first residency program in neurosurgery to successfully implementing technology in his procedures, performing many of Colombia's first neurosurgical interventions, and publishing extensively across various categories of medical science. This historical reflection highlights his enduring contributions to the field and considers his legacy through the witness testimony of many of his students and collaborators. The hope is that his contributions may be acknowledged in full, as he was a reserved person who never boasted of his own accomplishments. The authors also hope that those who did not have the opportunity to know him would be informed by the historical context of the development of Colombian neurosurgery and inspired by his conviction and altruism.

Country and policy factors influencing the implementation of primary care-based alcohol screening: A comparison of Colombia, Mexico and Peru

ABSTRACT Researchers and practitioners recognise the importance of context when implementing healthcare interventions, but the influence of wider environment is rarely mapped. This paper identifies the country and policy-related factors potentially explaining the country differences in outcomes of an intervention focused on improving detection and management of heavy alcohol use in primary care in Colombia, Mexico and Peru. Qualitative data obtained through interviews, logbooks and document analysis are used to explain quantitative data on number of alcohol screenings and screening providers in each of the countries. Existing alcohol screening standards in Mexico, and policy prioritisation of primary care and consideration of alcohol as a public health issue in Colombia and Mexico positively contributed to the outcome, while the COVID-19 pandemic had a negative impact. In Peru, the context was unsupportive due to a combination of: political instability amongst regional health authorities; lack of focus on strengthening primary care due to the expansion of community mental health centres; alcohol considered as an addiction rather than a public health issue; and the impact of COVID-19 on healthcare. We found that wider environment-related factors interacted with the intervention implemented and can help explain country differences in outcomes.

Nursing Services in the First Level of Care in Colombia. Analysis of the Offer 2002-2020

Objective. This work sought to characterize the primary care nursing consultation services reported in the official systems of health services records in Colombia between 2002 and 2020. Methods. This was a descriptive, cross-sectional,retrospective study. Node geographic analysis and descriptive statistics were performed for quantitative data from theSpecial Registry of Health Providers and the Ministry of Health and Social Protection. Results. The study identified 6079 nursing services of which 72% are outpatient, 95.05% are assigned to institutions providing health services, 99.75% are of low complexity, and 48.22% of the offer was created in the last five years. The nodes with the highest increase in the offer of services are Caribbean (n = 909) and Pacific (n = 499), while Amazon (n = 48) showed the lowest offer in the last fiveyears. Conclusions. Disparity is evident in the availability of services by region and node, in addition to a low liberal exercise to provide nursing care.

Nursing Services in the First Level of Care in Colombia. Analysis of the Offer 2002-2020.

This work sought to characterize the primary care nursing consultation services reported in the official systemsof health services records in Colombia between 2002 and 2020. This was a descriptive, cross-sectional, retrospective study. Node geographic analysis and descriptive statistics were performed for quantitative data from the Special Registry of Health Providers and the Ministry of Health and Social Protection. The study identified 6079 nursing services of which 72% are outpatient, 95.05% are assigned to institutions providing health services, 99.75% are of low complexity, and 48.22% of the offer was created in the last five years. The nodes with the highest increase in the offer of services are Caribbean (n = 909) and Pacific (n = 499), while Amazon (n = 48) showed the lowest offer in the last five years. Disparity is evident in the availability of services by region and node, in addition to a low liberal exercise to provide nursing care.

Perceived access to general and mental healthcare in primary care in Colombia during COVID-19: A cross-sectional study.

IntroductionThe COVID-19 pandemic has had an impact both in general and mental healthcare, challenged the health systems worldwide, and affected their capacity to deliver essential health services. We aimed to describe perceived changes in ease of access to general and mental healthcare among patients with a diagnosis of depression and/or unhealthy alcohol use in Colombia.MethodsThis study is embedded in the DIADA project, a multicenter implementation research study aimed at evaluating the integration of mental healthcare in primary care in Colombia. Between November 2020 and August 2021, we conducted a COVID-19 pandemic impact assessment in a cohort of participants with newly diagnosed depression and/or unhealthy alcohol use part of DIADA project. We assessed the ease of access and factors related to perceived ease of access to general or mental healthcare, during the COVID-19 pandemic.Results836 participants completed the COVID-19 pandemic impact assessment. About 30% of participants considered their mental health to be worse during the pandemic and 84.3% perceived access to general healthcare to be worse during the pandemic. Most of participants (85.8%) were unable to assess access to mental health services, but a significant proportion considered it to be worse. Experiencing worse ease of access to general healthcare was more frequent among women, patients with diagnosis of depression, and patients with comorbidities. Experiencing worse ease of access to mental healthcare was more frequent among patients aged between 30 and 49.9 years, from socioeconomic status between 4 and 6, affiliated to the contributive social security regime, attending urban study sites, and those who perceived their mental health was worse during the pandemic.DiscussionDespite the overall perception of worse mental health during the pandemic, the use of mental healthcare was low compared to general healthcare. Ease of access was perceived to be worse compared to pre-pandemic. Ease of access and access were affected by geographical study site, socioeconomic status, age and gender. Our findings highlight the need for improved communication between patients and institutions, tailored strategies to adapt the healthcare provision to patients' characteristics, and continued efforts to strengthen the role of mental healthcare provision in primary care.

Equity in Access to Medical Care in Colombia: a Comparative Rawlsian Justice Perspective

Equity in Access to Medical Care in Colombia: a Comparative Rawlsian Justice Perspective

The Nurse’s Work Process in Primary Health Care: an Integrative Review

Objective. This work sought to analyze the scientific production regarding the work process of nurses in Primary Health Care in the Colombian context. Methodology. Integrative literature review. The research question was: how is the work process of nurses in Primary Health Care in Colombia? Information collection was carried out during August and September 2021. The databases consulted were: SCOPUS, LILACS, Science Direct, VHL, PubMed and the SciELO electronic library. The inclusion criteria were: original articles published between 2015 and 2021. Results. Three articles were selected to comprise the final sample. Three thematic categories emerged from the results for analysis: knowledge of nursing professionals about PHC; barriers in the work process of nursing professionals in PHC; nursing professional practices in PHC. Conclusions. This review of the literature revealed lack of scientific evidence concerning the role of nursing professionals in primary care in Colombia. It is essential to elucidate the role of nurses in primary care to continue on the path of consolidating and improving actions and strategies, especially in the current context of policy reform of the Colombian health system and the global interests to strengthen primary care.

EE218 Burden of Chronic Kidney Disease in Type 2 Diabetes Using the Standard of Care in Colombia

EE218 Burden of Chronic Kidney Disease in Type 2 Diabetes Using the Standard of Care in Colombia

Vía aérea difícil en UCI de adultos en el Quindío: un estudio transversal

IntroductionThe risk of complications and death related to difficult airway (DA) in critically ill patients is higher than in controlled settings such as the operating room. Statistics on DA in intensive care in Colombia are scarce, as are the intervention data and resources available in the units. The main objective was to determine the prevalence and characteristics of anatomical and physiological difficult airway. MethodsAn observational, cross-sectional, multicentre study was conducted in adult Intensive Care Units (ICU) in Quindío. Links to two Google® forms were sent to the Coordinating Intensivists, one general and one specific related to DA anatomical factors (Mallampati, obstructive apnoea, stiff cervical spine, obesity, external appearance, Cormack-Lehane> 2, etc.) and physiological (oxygenation disorder, state of collapse, anaemia, etc.). ResultsFour units participated, with 62 beds (83.9% of the beds in the department); 56 hospitalized patients were found, 38 patients (67.8%) were intubated. Of the patients, 29% had some type of difficult airway. Of the patients with difficult airway, 100% had physiological DA parameters and 27.3% anatomical difficult airway: 18.2% Cormack-Lehane (CL)>2, and 9.1% subglottic stenosis. Obesity was the best predictor of CL>2. LR+: 4.5, LR−: .001. ConclusionsPhysiological DA is highly prevalent in the adult ICU, which represents a challenge for the intensivist, and a high risk of complications for patients. In this study, obesity was the main predictor of anatomical DA in critically ill patients. Intensive care units must have sufficient resources and personnel trained in the management of difficult airway.