Objetivo: conhecer o manejo de pacientes com Doença de Chagas (DC) por médicos da Atenção Primária à Saúde (APS) de regiões endêmicas. Método: estudo transversal realizado com 104 médicos da APS de 39 municípios das regiões norte de Minas Gerais e Vale do Jequitinhonha. Foram abordados perfil sociodemográfico, formação acadêmica e prática clínica, por meio de questionário autoaplicado. Resultados: os médicos apresentaram idade média de 33(±9,88) anos, 4(±7,26) anos de atuação na APS, 49% relataram que a graduação não ofereceu formação suficiente em DC. Embora quase 90% tivessem experiência com atendimento de pacientes com DC crônica e 57% com DC aguda, apenas 9% relataram sentir-se totalmente seguros para esses atendimentos e 33% relataram não conhecer o Benzonidazol, único antitripanossômico disponível. Contribuindo para esse quadro, após a graduação, somente 13,3% receberam alguma informação ou treinamento relativo à DC e quase metade recebeu esse treinamento há mais de 4 anos. Há insegurança, desconhecimento e carência de capacitações sobre DC entre profissionais médicos da APS de localidades endêmicas
Objective: to understand the management of patients with Chagas Disease (CD) by Primary Health Care (PHC) doctors in endemic regions. Methods: cross-sectional study with 104 PHC doctors in 39 municipalities in the northern regions of Minas Gerais and Jequitinhonha Valley. Socio-demographic profile, academic training, and clinical practice were covered through a self-administered questionnaire. Results: the physicians had a mean age of 33 (± 9.88) years, 4 (± 7.26) years experience in the PHC system, and 49% reported that their undergraduate studies did not offer enough training on CD. Although almost 90% had experience with the care of patients with chronic CD and 57% with acute CD, only 9% reported feeling completely secure about these services and 33% reported not knowing about benznidazole, the only antitrypanosomal available. Contributing to this situation, after graduation, only 13.3% received any information or training on CD and almost half received this training more than four years ago. There is insecurity, ignorance, and lack of training on CD among PHC medical professionals in endemic locations.
Objective: to understand the management of patients with Chagas Disease (CD) by Primary Health Care (PHC) doctors in endemic regions. Methods: cross-sectional study with 104 PHC doctors in 39 municipalities in the northern regions of Minas Gerais and Jequitinhonha Valley. Socio-demographic profile, academic training, and clinical practice were covered through a self-administered questionnaire. Results: the physicians had a mean age of 33 (± 9.88) years, 4 (± 7.26) years experience in the PHC system, and 49% reported that their undergraduate studies did not offer enough training on CD. Although almost 90% had experience with the care of patients with chronic CD and 57% with acute CD, only 9% reported feeling completely secure about these services and 33% reported not knowing about benznidazole, the only antitrypanosomal available. Contributing to this situation, after graduation, only 13.3% received any information or training on CD and almost half received this training more than four years ago. There is insecurity, ignorance, and lack of training on CD among PHC medical professionals in endemic locations
