Abstract

SOLIS CARTAS, Urbano; MENDOZA RODRIGUEZ, Humberto; VALCARCEL IZQUIERDO, Norberto  and  MALDONADO MONTOYA, Gabriela Belén. Primary health care as the cornerstone of the control of rheumatic diseases. Rev Cuba Reumatol [online]. 2023, vol.25, n.2  Epub June 01, 2023. ISSN 1817-5996.

Rheumatic diseases constitute one of the groups of diseases that most frequently occur in the first level of health care. Among its most distinctive characteristics, the generation of different degrees of functional disability and the affectation of the perception of health-related quality of life stand out. Early diagnosis and timely treatment are the tools that are aimed at better control of the disease; however, to achieve this, it is necessary to increase the level of preparation and professional competence of the health team that works at the first level of care. The objective of this research is to expose, from the point of view of medical training, the mechanisms that can be part of professional improvement tools in the first level of care based on the recognition of the elements that allow the diagnosis of rheumatic diseases. and the correct diagnostic orientation. A brief outline of the elements that should be included in both undergraduate and postgraduate medical education is made. It is concluded that the approach to rheumatic diseases should constitute a permanent improvement practice, as a viable alternative to reduce functional disability and increase the perception of quality of life related to the health of these patients.

Keywords : primary health care; quality of life; functional capacity; higher education; medical education; rheumatic diseases.

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