Awareness for need of improvement in knowledgement about oral lesions for professionals in primary health care

Abstract

Objective: this study aims to evaluate the efficacy of diagnosis and treatment of oral lesions between different healthcare levels. Material and Methods: all information was obtained from the medical records of a University Hospital and Public Health Regulation System regarding clinical-demographic features such as oral diseases diagnosed, referral system and therapy employed. Evaluation was based on the relationship between final diagnosis, diagnostic hypothesis and the priority of medical appointments, time between referral and first appointment, date of final diagnosis and therapy onset. Latter, diagnostic hypothesis fulfilled between primary and tertiary healthcare providers were compared and the agreement between both were determined. Results: about half (51%) of the medical forms filled by primary healthcare professionals were incomplete, or diagnostic hypothesis was inadequately described. At the tertiary healthcare level, mean time between referral and first appointment was 23 days, and mean time between the final diagnosis and treatment was 22 days. Surgical treatment was faster (31 days) when compared to radiotherapy for malignant lesions (81 to 100 days). Conclusion: it is necessary to improve training of healthcare professionals in the primary healthcare regarding the recognition of malignant oral lesions. Clearly, appropriate filling of the diagnostic hypothesis with the corresponding degree of priority accelerates the diagnosis and treatment of the patient.