Alex Vargas | PONTIFICIA UNIVERSIDAD CATÓLICA DE CHILE (original) (raw)
Papers by Alex Vargas
Revista de otorrinolaringología y cirugía de cabeza y cuello, 2015
La hiperplasia condilar (HC) se define como un crecimiento patológico no neoplásico que afecta ta... more La hiperplasia condilar (HC) se define como un crecimiento patológico no neoplásico que afecta tanto al tamaño como a la morfología del cóndilo mandibular. Objetivo: Evaluar la eficacia y riesgos del tratamiento quirúrgico de la HC. Material y método: Estudio descriptivo, serie de casos. Se incluyó a todos los pacientes con diagnóstico de
The American Journal of Surgical Pathology, 2001
Illustrated pathology of the spleen The mai°r aim of this book is to de-mvstify splenic pathology... more Illustrated pathology of the spleen The mai°r aim of this book is to de-mvstify splenic pathology for non-specialist consultants and trainees in histopathology. The interpretation of pathological changes in the human spleen provides a significant challenge to the skills of even the ...
Revista médica de Chile, 2020
Medication-related osteonecrosis of the jaw is a disease where there is necrotic bone exposed or ... more Medication-related osteonecrosis of the jaw is a disease where there is necrotic bone exposed or that can be explored by means of a fistula in the maxillofacial region. It has been associated with the use Biphosphonates and denosumab for osteoporosis. Although its etiology is unclear, it may be related to a decrease in bone turnover produced by these drugs, rendering the bone more prone to generate cell necrosis during invasive dental procedures, especially in the posterior region of the jaw. There is no consensus about the prevention and treatment of this condition. The aim of this paper is to present a review of the literature with the main characteristics of osteonecrosis of the jaws associated with drugs, together with a proposal for prevention and treatment for these patients.
Dental Anatomy, Aug 1, 2018
Anatomy is a basic knowledge that every clinician must have; however, its full manage ment is not... more Anatomy is a basic knowledge that every clinician must have; however, its full manage ment is not always achieved and gaps remain in daily practice. The aim of this chapter is to emphasize the most relevant aspects of head and neck anatomy, specifically related to osteology and neurology for the application of regional anesthesia techniques. This chapter presents a clear and concise text, useful for both undergraduate and graduate students and for the dentist and maxillofacial surgeon. The most relevant aspects of the bone and sensory anatomy relevant for the realization of regional anesthetic techniques in the oral and maxillofacial area are reviewed, including complementary figures and tables. The anatomy related to the techniques directed to the three major branches of the trigeminal nerve (ophthalmic nerve, maxillary nerve, and to the branches of the man dibular nerve) will be approached separately.
Revista de otorrinolaringología y cirugía de cabeza y cuello, 2019
Los autores declaran no tener conflictos de interés.
Revista clínica de periodoncia, implantología y rehabilitación oral, 2017
Los adhesivos de cianoacrilatos (ACA) son materiales sintéticos con propiedades adhesivas. Al ser... more Los adhesivos de cianoacrilatos (ACA) son materiales sintéticos con propiedades adhesivas. Al ser aplicados en los tejidos polimerizan uniéndose con el tejido subyacente. Desde la década de los 70' se han explorado sus aplicaciones quirúrgicas para el cierre de heridas y fístulas, control de sangrado y fijación de injertos, entre otros, siendo su uso como alternativa para el cierre de heridas en piel y mucosas uno de los más estudiados. Los ACA presentan un limitado grado de absorción, sin evidencia de efectos tóxicos sistémicos. Tienen la ventaja de ser aplicados de forma rápida, indolora, con efecto antibacteriano y hemostático según los reportes de la literatura, pero presentan una reducida fuerza de tensión. El objetivo de esta revisión de la literatura es describir los usos y aplicaciones de los ACA, con enfoque en la cirugía oral y maxilofacial, evaluando de forma crítica sus aplicaciones. PALABRAS CLAVE Cianoacrilatos, suturas, cierre de heridas, cirugía oral.
Journal of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, 2017
Authorship: All authors should have made substantial contributions in drafting the article or rev... more Authorship: All authors should have made substantial contributions in drafting the article or revising it critically and all have approved the final version to be submitted. Protection of human and animal subjects. The authors declare that no experiments were performed on humans or animals for this article. Data confidentiality. The patient's identity is properly protected in this article, including the showed images. Privacy rights and informed consent. The authors declare that the patient and his parents have authorized the publication of the data included in this report through a written authorization and informed consent.
International Journal of Morphology, 2006
Head & Face Medicine, 2016
Background: Langerhans cell histiocytosis (LCH), previously known as Histiocytosis X, is an infre... more Background: Langerhans cell histiocytosis (LCH), previously known as Histiocytosis X, is an infrequent disease that congregates a wide spectrum of clinical presentations with variable systemic involvement. Unification of these diseases under only one category is based on the almost identical histopathologic features of the lesions, but the etiology and proper approach for each presentation remains controversial. The localized alternative of Langerhans cell histiocytosis (LLCH), known as Eosinophilic Granuloma (EG) of bone, is the predominant clinical presentation of LCH. The maxilla is involved in 1 % of the head and neck region cases, representing an uncommon condition in this area. Case Presentation: In this clinical case report, it is described a case of a 16-year-old male patient with an asymptomatic osteolytic lesion at first upper left molar apical level, a finding detected on control radiographic images was reported as "Monostotic Eosinophilic granuloma of the maxillary bone", which was later confirmed through an incisional biopsy. A surgical excision was initially planned, but finally it was not performed due to a spontaneous healing of the lesion after the incisional biopsy. Conclusions: The presented case supports a conservative approach in the management of solitary EG of maxillary and mandibular bone lesions and even supports an expectant attitude in the course of treatment given the possibility of a spontaneous regression after the biopsy, especially in small lesions.
Revista Médica de …, 2011
El ejercicio de la medicina en Chile ha cambiado dramáticamente en los últimos años. Los paciente... more El ejercicio de la medicina en Chile ha cambiado dramáticamente en los últimos años. Los pacientes tienen mayores expectativas y las cifras de reclamos, querellas y demandas son crecientes. La relación médico-paciente juega un rol fundamental en la satisfacción del paciente y ...
Hand, 2006
We report a clinical case of a three-and-a-half-year-old girl with multiple radiolucent central l... more We report a clinical case of a three-and-a-half-year-old girl with multiple radiolucent central lesions within the body and the ascending ramus of the mandible and the alveolar and basal bone of the maxillary sinus. In both maxillary bones additional destruction of the periodontal ...
We obtain necessary and sufficient conditions on weights for the generalized Fourier-type transfo... more We obtain necessary and sufficient conditions on weights for the generalized Fourier-type transforms to be bounded between weighted L p − L q spaces. As an important example, we investigate transforms with kernel of power type, as for instance the sine, Hankel or Hα transforms. The obtained necessary and sufficient conditions are given in terms of weights, but not in terms of their decreasing rearrangements, as in several previous investigations.
Background: Langerhans cell histiocytosis (LCH), previously known as Histiocytosis X, is an infre... more Background: Langerhans cell histiocytosis (LCH), previously known as Histiocytosis X, is an infrequent disease that congregates a wide spectrum of clinical presentations with variable systemic involvement. Unification of these diseases under only one category is based on the almost identical histopathologic features of the lesions, but the etiology and proper approach for each presentation remains controversial. The localized alternative of Langerhans cell histiocytosis (LLCH), known as Eosinophilic Granuloma (EG) of bone, is the predominant clinical presentation of LCH. The maxilla is involved in 1 % of the head and neck region cases, representing an uncommon condition in this area. Case Presentation: In this clinical case report, it is described a case of a 16-year-old male patient with an asymptomatic osteolytic lesion at first upper left molar apical level, a finding detected on control radiographic images was reported as " Monostotic Eosinophilic granuloma of the maxillary bone " , which was later confirmed through an incisional biopsy. A surgical excision was initially planned, but finally it was not performed due to a spontaneous healing of the lesion after the incisional biopsy. Conclusions: The presented case supports a conservative approach in the management of solitary EG of maxillary and mandibular bone lesions and even supports an expectant attitude in the course of treatment given the possibility of a spontaneous regression after the biopsy, especially in small lesions.
The historical bases of occidental medicine precede the Hippocratic corpus. Between the third and... more The historical bases of occidental medicine precede the Hippocratic corpus. Between the third and first millennium B.C. Egyptian medicine developed a model of medical practice that was a reference horizon for other Mediterranean cultures. There are a great number of papyri of that time, which gathered the medical and surgical skills and that are matter of study. The Edwin Smith papyrus (PES) is one of them. We analyzed the PES in its historical context, its history, its structure and its medical and dental significance. Finally, we analyzed the relevance of PES as a sign of a change in the medicine study method in the ancient Egypt. PES is an insight into how medicine was practiced in ancient Egypt. Historically, it is also the first medical document based on objective observations, excluding all magical and religious perceptions , as well as the underlying cultural framework. The similarity between the current clinical method and that described in the Smith papyrus, strongly suggests the idea that part of the origin of medicine, can be found in ancient Egypt. (Rev Med Chile 2012; 140: 1357-1362).
Revista médica de Chile, 2003
Background: Salivary infection due to Streptococci mutans is considered the main microbiological ... more Background: Salivary infection due to Streptococci mutans is considered the main microbiological risk factor for the initiation of dental caries. Aim: To evaluate a semi-quantitative method to assess Streptococci mutans salivary infection and compare it with ...
Rapid Prototyping Journal, 2012
Medical Engineering & Physics, 2015
Additive manufacturing (AM) models are used in medical applications for surgical planning, prosth... more Additive manufacturing (AM) models are used in medical applications for surgical planning, prosthesis design and teaching. For these applications, the accuracy of the AM models is essential. Unfortunately, this accuracy is compromised due to errors introduced by each of the building steps: image acquisition, segmentation, triangulation, printing and infiltration. However, the contribution of each step to the final error remains unclear. We performed a sensitivity analysis comparing errors obtained from a reference with those obtained modifying parameters of each building step. Our analysis considered global indexes to evaluate the overall error, and local indexes to show how this error is distributed along the surface of the AM models. Our results show that the standard building process tends to overestimate the AM models, i.e. models are larger than the original structures. They also show that the triangulation resolution and the segmentation threshold are critical factors, and that the errors are concentrated at regions with high curvatures. Errors could be reduced choosing better triangulation and printing resolutions, but there is an important need for modifying some of the standard building processes, particularly the segmentation algorithms.
![Research paper thumbnail of [Doctor patient communication: which skills are effective?]](https://attachments.academia-assets.com/41153040/thumbnails/1.jpg)
](Revista medica de Chile
Effective Communication Skills form part of what is being a good doctor. There is a solid evidenc... more Effective Communication Skills form part of what is being a good doctor. There is a solid evidence base that defines the components of effective communication. This article offers a practical conceptual framework to improve physician patient communication to a professional level of competence. There are six goals that physicians and patients work to achieve through their communication with each other. These are to construct a relationship, structure an interview, start the interview, gather information, explain, plan and close the interview. The outcomes that can be improved with an effective communication and the "first principles" of communication are described. A brief look at the historical context that has influenced our thinking about communication in health care is carried out. Finally, the Calgary Cambridge Guide, an approach for delineating and organizing the specific skills required of an effective communication with patients is described. It is clear from the li...
Revista medica de Chile
There is a solid evidence base that defines the components of effective communication. This artic... more There is a solid evidence base that defines the components of effective communication. This article offers a practical conceptual framework to improve physician-patient communication to a professional level of competence. There are six goals that physicians and patients work to achieve through their communication with each other. These are to construct a relationship, structure an interview, start the interview, gather information, explain, plan and close the interview. The outcomes that can be improved with an effective communication and the "first principles" of communication are described. A brief look at the historical context that has influenced our thinking about communication in health care is carried out. Finally, the Calgary Cambridge Guide, an approach for delineating and organizing the specific skills required of an effective communication with patients is described. It is clear from the literature that better communication skills improve patient satisfaction and clinical outcomes. (Rev Med Chile 2010; 138: 1047-1054.
Revista médica de Chile, 2011
A study of hospital complaints and the role of the doctor-patient communication Background: Medic... more A study of hospital complaints and the role of the doctor-patient communication Background: Medical practice in Chile has changed dramatically over the last few years. Patients have raised their expectations and there is a growing number of complaints, and malpractice lawsuits. The doctor-patient relationship plays a fundamental role in patient satisfaction and has also been identifi ed as an issue in most medical lawsuits. Aim: To analyze the importance of doctor-patient communication in the complaints received in a university hospital in Chile. Material and Methods: Review of all complaints received at the offi ce for quality of care at a university hospital. Complaints classifi ed in delay, manners and information categories were selected for further analysis. Results: Of a total of 8931 complaints registered between 2001 and 2008, 635 (19%) involved a doctor. Fifty one per cent of the latter, were related to the doctor-patient relationship. Of these, 146 cases (45%) were further classifi ed as "Dysfunctional delivery of Information", 74 cases (23%) as "Not understanding the patient/family's perspective", 54 cases (17%) as "Discrediting the patient or family's views" and 49 cases (15%) as "Lack of communication". Conclusions: The percentage of complaints related to communication with the doctor is high, though lower than cited in other studies. The most common complaint is the dysfunctional delivery of information. (Rev Med Chile 2011; 139: 880-885).
Revista de otorrinolaringología y cirugía de cabeza y cuello, 2015
La hiperplasia condilar (HC) se define como un crecimiento patológico no neoplásico que afecta ta... more La hiperplasia condilar (HC) se define como un crecimiento patológico no neoplásico que afecta tanto al tamaño como a la morfología del cóndilo mandibular. Objetivo: Evaluar la eficacia y riesgos del tratamiento quirúrgico de la HC. Material y método: Estudio descriptivo, serie de casos. Se incluyó a todos los pacientes con diagnóstico de
The American Journal of Surgical Pathology, 2001
Illustrated pathology of the spleen The mai°r aim of this book is to de-mvstify splenic pathology... more Illustrated pathology of the spleen The mai°r aim of this book is to de-mvstify splenic pathology for non-specialist consultants and trainees in histopathology. The interpretation of pathological changes in the human spleen provides a significant challenge to the skills of even the ...
Revista médica de Chile, 2020
Medication-related osteonecrosis of the jaw is a disease where there is necrotic bone exposed or ... more Medication-related osteonecrosis of the jaw is a disease where there is necrotic bone exposed or that can be explored by means of a fistula in the maxillofacial region. It has been associated with the use Biphosphonates and denosumab for osteoporosis. Although its etiology is unclear, it may be related to a decrease in bone turnover produced by these drugs, rendering the bone more prone to generate cell necrosis during invasive dental procedures, especially in the posterior region of the jaw. There is no consensus about the prevention and treatment of this condition. The aim of this paper is to present a review of the literature with the main characteristics of osteonecrosis of the jaws associated with drugs, together with a proposal for prevention and treatment for these patients.
Dental Anatomy, Aug 1, 2018
Anatomy is a basic knowledge that every clinician must have; however, its full manage ment is not... more Anatomy is a basic knowledge that every clinician must have; however, its full manage ment is not always achieved and gaps remain in daily practice. The aim of this chapter is to emphasize the most relevant aspects of head and neck anatomy, specifically related to osteology and neurology for the application of regional anesthesia techniques. This chapter presents a clear and concise text, useful for both undergraduate and graduate students and for the dentist and maxillofacial surgeon. The most relevant aspects of the bone and sensory anatomy relevant for the realization of regional anesthetic techniques in the oral and maxillofacial area are reviewed, including complementary figures and tables. The anatomy related to the techniques directed to the three major branches of the trigeminal nerve (ophthalmic nerve, maxillary nerve, and to the branches of the man dibular nerve) will be approached separately.
Revista de otorrinolaringología y cirugía de cabeza y cuello, 2019
Los autores declaran no tener conflictos de interés.
Revista clínica de periodoncia, implantología y rehabilitación oral, 2017
Los adhesivos de cianoacrilatos (ACA) son materiales sintéticos con propiedades adhesivas. Al ser... more Los adhesivos de cianoacrilatos (ACA) son materiales sintéticos con propiedades adhesivas. Al ser aplicados en los tejidos polimerizan uniéndose con el tejido subyacente. Desde la década de los 70' se han explorado sus aplicaciones quirúrgicas para el cierre de heridas y fístulas, control de sangrado y fijación de injertos, entre otros, siendo su uso como alternativa para el cierre de heridas en piel y mucosas uno de los más estudiados. Los ACA presentan un limitado grado de absorción, sin evidencia de efectos tóxicos sistémicos. Tienen la ventaja de ser aplicados de forma rápida, indolora, con efecto antibacteriano y hemostático según los reportes de la literatura, pero presentan una reducida fuerza de tensión. El objetivo de esta revisión de la literatura es describir los usos y aplicaciones de los ACA, con enfoque en la cirugía oral y maxilofacial, evaluando de forma crítica sus aplicaciones. PALABRAS CLAVE Cianoacrilatos, suturas, cierre de heridas, cirugía oral.
Journal of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, 2017
Authorship: All authors should have made substantial contributions in drafting the article or rev... more Authorship: All authors should have made substantial contributions in drafting the article or revising it critically and all have approved the final version to be submitted. Protection of human and animal subjects. The authors declare that no experiments were performed on humans or animals for this article. Data confidentiality. The patient's identity is properly protected in this article, including the showed images. Privacy rights and informed consent. The authors declare that the patient and his parents have authorized the publication of the data included in this report through a written authorization and informed consent.
International Journal of Morphology, 2006
Head & Face Medicine, 2016
Background: Langerhans cell histiocytosis (LCH), previously known as Histiocytosis X, is an infre... more Background: Langerhans cell histiocytosis (LCH), previously known as Histiocytosis X, is an infrequent disease that congregates a wide spectrum of clinical presentations with variable systemic involvement. Unification of these diseases under only one category is based on the almost identical histopathologic features of the lesions, but the etiology and proper approach for each presentation remains controversial. The localized alternative of Langerhans cell histiocytosis (LLCH), known as Eosinophilic Granuloma (EG) of bone, is the predominant clinical presentation of LCH. The maxilla is involved in 1 % of the head and neck region cases, representing an uncommon condition in this area. Case Presentation: In this clinical case report, it is described a case of a 16-year-old male patient with an asymptomatic osteolytic lesion at first upper left molar apical level, a finding detected on control radiographic images was reported as "Monostotic Eosinophilic granuloma of the maxillary bone", which was later confirmed through an incisional biopsy. A surgical excision was initially planned, but finally it was not performed due to a spontaneous healing of the lesion after the incisional biopsy. Conclusions: The presented case supports a conservative approach in the management of solitary EG of maxillary and mandibular bone lesions and even supports an expectant attitude in the course of treatment given the possibility of a spontaneous regression after the biopsy, especially in small lesions.
Revista Médica de …, 2011
El ejercicio de la medicina en Chile ha cambiado dramáticamente en los últimos años. Los paciente... more El ejercicio de la medicina en Chile ha cambiado dramáticamente en los últimos años. Los pacientes tienen mayores expectativas y las cifras de reclamos, querellas y demandas son crecientes. La relación médico-paciente juega un rol fundamental en la satisfacción del paciente y ...
Hand, 2006
We report a clinical case of a three-and-a-half-year-old girl with multiple radiolucent central l... more We report a clinical case of a three-and-a-half-year-old girl with multiple radiolucent central lesions within the body and the ascending ramus of the mandible and the alveolar and basal bone of the maxillary sinus. In both maxillary bones additional destruction of the periodontal ...
We obtain necessary and sufficient conditions on weights for the generalized Fourier-type transfo... more We obtain necessary and sufficient conditions on weights for the generalized Fourier-type transforms to be bounded between weighted L p − L q spaces. As an important example, we investigate transforms with kernel of power type, as for instance the sine, Hankel or Hα transforms. The obtained necessary and sufficient conditions are given in terms of weights, but not in terms of their decreasing rearrangements, as in several previous investigations.
Background: Langerhans cell histiocytosis (LCH), previously known as Histiocytosis X, is an infre... more Background: Langerhans cell histiocytosis (LCH), previously known as Histiocytosis X, is an infrequent disease that congregates a wide spectrum of clinical presentations with variable systemic involvement. Unification of these diseases under only one category is based on the almost identical histopathologic features of the lesions, but the etiology and proper approach for each presentation remains controversial. The localized alternative of Langerhans cell histiocytosis (LLCH), known as Eosinophilic Granuloma (EG) of bone, is the predominant clinical presentation of LCH. The maxilla is involved in 1 % of the head and neck region cases, representing an uncommon condition in this area. Case Presentation: In this clinical case report, it is described a case of a 16-year-old male patient with an asymptomatic osteolytic lesion at first upper left molar apical level, a finding detected on control radiographic images was reported as " Monostotic Eosinophilic granuloma of the maxillary bone " , which was later confirmed through an incisional biopsy. A surgical excision was initially planned, but finally it was not performed due to a spontaneous healing of the lesion after the incisional biopsy. Conclusions: The presented case supports a conservative approach in the management of solitary EG of maxillary and mandibular bone lesions and even supports an expectant attitude in the course of treatment given the possibility of a spontaneous regression after the biopsy, especially in small lesions.
The historical bases of occidental medicine precede the Hippocratic corpus. Between the third and... more The historical bases of occidental medicine precede the Hippocratic corpus. Between the third and first millennium B.C. Egyptian medicine developed a model of medical practice that was a reference horizon for other Mediterranean cultures. There are a great number of papyri of that time, which gathered the medical and surgical skills and that are matter of study. The Edwin Smith papyrus (PES) is one of them. We analyzed the PES in its historical context, its history, its structure and its medical and dental significance. Finally, we analyzed the relevance of PES as a sign of a change in the medicine study method in the ancient Egypt. PES is an insight into how medicine was practiced in ancient Egypt. Historically, it is also the first medical document based on objective observations, excluding all magical and religious perceptions , as well as the underlying cultural framework. The similarity between the current clinical method and that described in the Smith papyrus, strongly suggests the idea that part of the origin of medicine, can be found in ancient Egypt. (Rev Med Chile 2012; 140: 1357-1362).
Revista médica de Chile, 2003
Background: Salivary infection due to Streptococci mutans is considered the main microbiological ... more Background: Salivary infection due to Streptococci mutans is considered the main microbiological risk factor for the initiation of dental caries. Aim: To evaluate a semi-quantitative method to assess Streptococci mutans salivary infection and compare it with ...
Rapid Prototyping Journal, 2012
Medical Engineering & Physics, 2015
Additive manufacturing (AM) models are used in medical applications for surgical planning, prosth... more Additive manufacturing (AM) models are used in medical applications for surgical planning, prosthesis design and teaching. For these applications, the accuracy of the AM models is essential. Unfortunately, this accuracy is compromised due to errors introduced by each of the building steps: image acquisition, segmentation, triangulation, printing and infiltration. However, the contribution of each step to the final error remains unclear. We performed a sensitivity analysis comparing errors obtained from a reference with those obtained modifying parameters of each building step. Our analysis considered global indexes to evaluate the overall error, and local indexes to show how this error is distributed along the surface of the AM models. Our results show that the standard building process tends to overestimate the AM models, i.e. models are larger than the original structures. They also show that the triangulation resolution and the segmentation threshold are critical factors, and that the errors are concentrated at regions with high curvatures. Errors could be reduced choosing better triangulation and printing resolutions, but there is an important need for modifying some of the standard building processes, particularly the segmentation algorithms.
Revista medica de Chile
Effective Communication Skills form part of what is being a good doctor. There is a solid evidenc... more Effective Communication Skills form part of what is being a good doctor. There is a solid evidence base that defines the components of effective communication. This article offers a practical conceptual framework to improve physician patient communication to a professional level of competence. There are six goals that physicians and patients work to achieve through their communication with each other. These are to construct a relationship, structure an interview, start the interview, gather information, explain, plan and close the interview. The outcomes that can be improved with an effective communication and the "first principles" of communication are described. A brief look at the historical context that has influenced our thinking about communication in health care is carried out. Finally, the Calgary Cambridge Guide, an approach for delineating and organizing the specific skills required of an effective communication with patients is described. It is clear from the li...
Revista medica de Chile
There is a solid evidence base that defines the components of effective communication. This artic... more There is a solid evidence base that defines the components of effective communication. This article offers a practical conceptual framework to improve physician-patient communication to a professional level of competence. There are six goals that physicians and patients work to achieve through their communication with each other. These are to construct a relationship, structure an interview, start the interview, gather information, explain, plan and close the interview. The outcomes that can be improved with an effective communication and the "first principles" of communication are described. A brief look at the historical context that has influenced our thinking about communication in health care is carried out. Finally, the Calgary Cambridge Guide, an approach for delineating and organizing the specific skills required of an effective communication with patients is described. It is clear from the literature that better communication skills improve patient satisfaction and clinical outcomes. (Rev Med Chile 2010; 138: 1047-1054.
Revista médica de Chile, 2011
A study of hospital complaints and the role of the doctor-patient communication Background: Medic... more A study of hospital complaints and the role of the doctor-patient communication Background: Medical practice in Chile has changed dramatically over the last few years. Patients have raised their expectations and there is a growing number of complaints, and malpractice lawsuits. The doctor-patient relationship plays a fundamental role in patient satisfaction and has also been identifi ed as an issue in most medical lawsuits. Aim: To analyze the importance of doctor-patient communication in the complaints received in a university hospital in Chile. Material and Methods: Review of all complaints received at the offi ce for quality of care at a university hospital. Complaints classifi ed in delay, manners and information categories were selected for further analysis. Results: Of a total of 8931 complaints registered between 2001 and 2008, 635 (19%) involved a doctor. Fifty one per cent of the latter, were related to the doctor-patient relationship. Of these, 146 cases (45%) were further classifi ed as "Dysfunctional delivery of Information", 74 cases (23%) as "Not understanding the patient/family's perspective", 54 cases (17%) as "Discrediting the patient or family's views" and 49 cases (15%) as "Lack of communication". Conclusions: The percentage of complaints related to communication with the doctor is high, though lower than cited in other studies. The most common complaint is the dysfunctional delivery of information. (Rev Med Chile 2011; 139: 880-885).