Delay in Referral of Patients Suspected of Oral Cancer: Perception of Surgeon Dentists in Primary Health Care
Keywords:
Mouth Neoplasms, Delayed Diagnosis, Primary Health CareAbstract
Aims: To verify the possible reasons to justify the delay in the arrival of the patient with oral cancer to the most complex sectors of health care. Materials and Methods: The study had as target audience dentists working in Primary Health Care formally linked to the Project TelessaúdeRS (276 potential participants). It was utilized a questionnaire hosted in a software of online questionnaires, with the link to access available by electronic mail and homepage of TelessaúdeRS. The responses were tabulated in an Excel spreadsheet (Microsoft ®). Results: Seventy-four answered questionnaires (26.8% of the initial sample); 52.7% reported that there is no Dental Specialty Center for reference in its Regional Health’s Coordination; 58.1% considered as the possible causes of the delay in diagnosis of oral cancer the association of factors: failure from professional, from patient, from the health network and lack of information; related to the self-perception of suitability for screening and diagnosis of oral cancer, 71.6% replied that it would be important the offer of qualification courses. Conclusion: The present study suggests that the possible reasons to justify the delay of the arrival of the patient with oral cancer to the most complex sectors of health care are: the deficiencies in the network care and the need for more qualifications courses related to the pathology.
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