ABANDONMENT OF OUTPATIENT FOLLOW-UP IN REFERENCE SERVICE OF RIO GRANDE DO NORTE STATE BY PEOPLE WITH HEPATITIS C
Hepatitis C. Ambulatory care. Discontinuation of clinical follow-up.
The reasons why people with hepatitis C do not attend medical appointments scheduled at the Liver Study Center of the University Hospital Onofre Lopes are important, due to the fact that this disease has an important epidemiological impact and present with a high morbidity and mortality rate. Objective: To analyze the reasons that led people with hepatitis C to abandon outpatient follow-up at the Liver Study Center from May 1995, year of creation of this service, to December 2017. Methods: A descriptive qualitative study based on Convergent Research Assistance. The first step in the collection of data consisted of analyzing the charts for the selection of people diagnosed with hepatitis C who did not attend consultations for more than six months from May 1995 to December 2017. The second the data collection stage referred to a semi-structured interview with people with hepatitis C who accepted to participate in the study after being invited by telephone call. At the same time, two Focal Groups were held, the first with the multidisciplinary team: nursing team and receptionists from the Liver Study Center, representatives from the Medical and Statistical Archive Service and chief nurse of the regulation, representing management. The second focal group included specialist doctors. The two focus groups addressed the problem related to the difficulty of outpatient follow-up of people with hepatitis C. The interpretation of the data collected was followed by the steps proposed by the Convergent Care Survey (PAIM and TRENTINI, 2014), which have as theoretical reference thematic analysis of Minayo (2013). Final Considerations: the study made it possible to identify the profile of people who abandoned follow-up in specialized outpatient viral hepatitis, listed the main reasons for absenteeism, which raised concerns in the professionals who assist the person with hepatitis C. In this way, together with the multiprofessional team, the line of care in hepatitis C at the University Hospital Onofre Lopes was elaborated. The research met all ethical standards, fully respecting the determinations of Resolution 466/2012 of the National Health Council, as well as the fundamental precepts of Bioethics.