ICPC-2 signs and symptoms unduly registered as chronic problems in general practice/family medicine

Authors

  • Bruno Calisto MD, Médico Interno de Formação Comum. Faculdade de Medicina da Universidade de Coimbra. Coimbra, Portugal. https://orcid.org/0009-0007-3657-8014
  • Barbara Oliveiros PhD, Professora Auxiliar. Laboratório de Bioestatística e Informática Médica, Faculdade de Medicina da Universidade de Coimbra. Coimbra, Portugal. https://orcid.org/0000-0001-7836-8161
  • João Pestana MD, Assistente de Medicina Geral e Familiar. USF Penacova, ULS Coimbra. Penacova, Portugal. https://orcid.org/0000-0003-3522-8809
  • Luiz Miguel Santiago MD, PhD, Associated Professor. Clínica Universitária de Medicina Geral e Familiar, Faculdade de Medicina da Universidade de Coimbra. Coimbra, Portugal | Centro de Estudos e Investigação em Saúde, Universidade de Coimbra. Coimbra, Portugal. https://orcid.org/0000-0002-9343-2827

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.32385/rpmgf.v40i6.13825

Keywords:

General practice, Family medicine, Clinical registrations, Classifications, ICPC-2, Signs and symptoms

Abstract

Objective: To quantify the frequency of ICPC-2 signs and symptoms inappropriately registered as chronic health problems (CIC), in general practice/family medicine (GP/FM), in the Coimbra’s council.

Methods: Cross-sectional observational study of data from a random sample of GP/FM practices of Coimbra, Centre of Portugal, one by each of the six health centres, anonymously about the GP/FM doctors. Data of eleven pre-defined ICPC-2 signs and symptoms (A01, A03, A04, L03, L13, L15, K01, K06, P01, P03 e P20) were informatically obtained from the lists of chronic health problems of all patients they attended at December the 31st, 2022.

Results: In a universe of 59,152 patients, pre-defined CIC was verified in 8,548 (14.5%) patients. The four more frequent ones were L03 (22.6%), P01 (22.1%), L15 (14.3%) and A4 (10.0%). Significant differences were found for sex, more frequent in females (64%, p<0.001), and by age, more frequent between 35 and 64 years (43.9%, p<0.001). As for the type of primary care health unit no differences were found (p=0.564).

Discussion: CIC in GP/FM must be avoided as an obligation of GP/FM doctors and of the e. Registration program.

Conclusion: A CIC frequency of 14.5% was found in a county with high responsibilities in pre- and post-graduate GP/FM. The update of the informatic registration program, continuous medical education and development in ICPC-2, periodic re-appraisal of chronic health problems, and its peer-validation, can be adequate tactics for improvement as well as the adoption of ICPC-3.

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Author Biography

  • Luiz Miguel Santiago, MD, PhD, Associated Professor. Clínica Universitária de Medicina Geral e Familiar, Faculdade de Medicina da Universidade de Coimbra. Coimbra, Portugal | Centro de Estudos e Investigação em Saúde, Universidade de Coimbra. Coimbra, Portugal.

    Luiz Miguel de Mendonça Soares Santiago é Licenciado em Medicina pela Universidade de Coimbra desde 1979, Mestre em Saúde Pública pela Universidade de Coimbra desde 2006 e Doutorado por unanimidade com distinção e louvor, pela Universidade de Coimbra, na Especialidade de Sociologia Médica, ramo de Medicina Preventiva e Comunitária desde 11/11/2009.

    É desde1/7/2017 Professor Associado da Faculdade de Medicina da Universidade de Coimbra, regendo as Unidades Curriculares de MISP IV, 3º Ano e de Medicina Geral e Familiar, 5º Ano.

    Desde 30 de Janeiro de 2018 tem o título de "Agregado".

    Médico, especialista em Medicina Geral e Familiar, é Consultor com o Grau de Assistente Graduado Sénior da Carreira de Medicina Geral e Familiar desde 2002, sendo orientador no Internato Complementar de Medicina Geral e Familiar desde 2006, tendo exercido na Unidade de Saúde Familiar Topázio em Coimbra, onde ainda continua actividade clínica, agora reduzida.

    Professor Associado Convidado da Universidade da Beira Interior, onde é regente das cadeiras de CSP I, II e III entre 2011 e 2017.

    Desde 2014 até 2017 foi Professor Adjunto Convidado da Coimbra Health Scholl lecionando Patologia Geral.   

    Membro da Academia Europeia de Professores em Medicina Geral e Familiar (EURACT) é orientador de Teses de Mestrado Integrado e de Mestrado Pré-Bolonha bem como de Doutoramento, na Universidade de Coimbra (2) e na Universidade da Beira Interior (6).

    É membro da Comissão de Ética da ARS do Centro.

    Tem vasta bibliografia publicada individualmente e em co-autoria em revistas nacionais e internacionais com “revisores-par” e indexadas (27 artigos).

    Desde março de 2017 é membro investigador do CEISUC, FEUC.

    Em Novembro de 2017 é eleito sócio correspondente da Academia Nacional de Medicina.

    Aguarda a marcação de Provas de Agregação a serem prestadas na Universidade da Beira Interior.

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Published

2025-01-07

Issue

Vol. 40 No. 6 (2024): Revista Portuguesa de Medicina Geral e Familiar

Section

Original Research

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How to Cite

ICPC-2 signs and symptoms unduly registered as chronic problems in general practice/family medicine. (2025). Portuguese Journal of Family Medicine and General Practice, 40(6), 563-71. https://doi.org/10.32385/rpmgf.v40i6.13825

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