Capacitação de profi ssionais de saúde para o manejo da dor em adolescentes portadores de doença falciforme na atenção primária

Training healthcare practitioners in pain management for adolescents with sickle cell disease in the primary care segment

Abstract

Objective: Pain surges are the most common complaints among adolescents with sickle cell disease who seek emergency
room services. This study is designed to promote the distribution of information at the primary basic healthcare level,
showing how good quality integrated care that is decentralized, multidisciplinary and humanized, with emphasis on self
care, can modify the progress of this disease, lowering its morbidity and mortality rates with lighter demands on specialized
hospitals. Methods: This project focused on the primary healthcare segment, providing eighteen months’ training for
practitioners in the basic healthcare network in the Rio Grande do Norte State. An action protocol with an innovative approach was then drafted for primary care facilities, focused on planned multidisciplinary care shared at staff meetings,
identifying warning signs in spontaneous demands, with appropriate referrals and transportation for transfers and basic
pharmacy medications, with committed and well-trained practitioners. Results: A satisfactory rating was obtained, with
72% of the practitioners engaging in educational activities. Conclusion: Sickle cell anemia is ranked as a public health
problem due to its high incidence (1: 1,400 births) and high mortality rate, especially during the fi rst fi ve years of life. As it
mainly affects socially vulnerable populations, it causes problems for Brazil’s Unifi ed National Health System (SUS), with high
morbidity rates in all age brackets. Among adolescents, the main challenge is ensure ongoing compliance with treatment
and self-care techniques. These youngsters are at risk of developing self-image disorders due to delayed development and
growth caused by the disease.