PERFIL EPIDEMIOLÓGICO E DAS DIFICULDADES ENCONTRADAS PELOS PACIENTES ENCAMINHADOS PARA PRIMEIRA CONSULTA NO AMBULATÓRIO DO HOSPITAL UNIVERSITÁRIO LAURO WANDERLEY

Abstract

Introduction: The aim of this study was to evaluate the epidemiological profile of patients and difficulties of patients referred for the first time to the Nephrology Outpatient Clinic of Hospital Universitário Lauro Wanderley (HULW) for evaluation and treatment of kidney disease. Methods: In the period from April 2021 to April 2022, 100 patients, older than 18 years and without previous contact with nephrologist, referred for the first time to the outpatient clinic of HULW were evaluated, and at the end of each consultation a questionnaire was filled out by the physician. Results: A considerable portion of the patients traveled long distances for consultation. The patients spent about 5% of a minimum wage for the displacement. 50% wanted the consultation to be closer to home and 70% would accept a telemedicine consultation. 27.5% of the evaluated patients could have been assisted exclusively by Primary Care. 52.5% of the patients referred for CKD were in early stages. In more than half of the patients the nephrologist stated that the data collected in the consultation and the tests brought by patients for the first consultation were insufficient to establish the diagnosis and define the treatment. Conclusion: The displacement was the most reported difficulty for consultation with the nephrologist. Such displacement was associated with relevant costs for patients. Most patients would accept the use of telemedicine to reduce these distances.