Author Archives: andreasilva

,

La BVS Honduras renueva su Comité Consultivo y se compromete con el acceso equitativo a la información en salud

Tegucigalpa, 12 de septiembre de 2024 (OPS/OMS). El Comité Consultivo de la BVS Honduras realizó una reunión extraordinaria para incorporar nuevos miembros e instituciones, incluyendo la nueva coordinadora del comité. La agenda incluyó un reconocimiento a la Dra. Jackeline Alger, quien fungió en ese cargo desde el 2011.

Representantes de la Secretaría de Salud, Hospital Escuela, UNAH/Facultad de Ciencias Médicas, UNICAH, Instituto Hondureño de Seguridad Social, Instituto Antonio Vidal, OPS/OMS estuvieron presentes en la reunión.

“Hoy celebramos con orgullo a la Dra. Jackeline Alger, quien ha sido un pilar fundamental en la salud pública de Honduras, nos deja un legado de inspiración en Salud Pública”, dijo Ana Emilia Solís, Representante de la OPS/OMS en Honduras.

Galardonada como Notable de la Salud Pública en 2022 por la OPS, su liderazgo como Coordinadora del Comité Consultivo de la Biblioteca Virtual en Salud de Honduras, desde 2011 hasta junio de 2024, ha transformado el acceso a la información en salud en el país.
Durante más de una década, su compromiso inquebrantable con la investigación, la innovación y las alianzas estratégicas ha fortalecido los recursos disponibles para profesionales y ciudadanos. Su labor fue crucial dirigiendo al Comité durante la pandemia de COVID-19, asegurando que los servicios de información continuaran brindando apoyo de manera eficaz y oportuna.

Joao Paulo Souza, Director de BIREME y Verónica Abdala acompañaron virtualmente haciendo un reconocimiento especial a Jackeline por su papel en la gestión e innovación de la BVS a lo largo de estos años.

“Aunque deja su cargo como coordinadora, su legado sigue vivo y es un honor para mí asumir esta posición en su lugar”, dijo Melissa Mejía, indicando que el mayor homenaje para Jackeline es mantener los logros y abordar los desafíos pendientes.

Cecilia García, Secretaria técnica del Comité dijo “Damos la bienvenida a la Dra. Melissa Mejía, quien, con el apoyo de BIREME y las instituciones nacionales, continuará impulsando este esfuerzo por una Honduras más saludable y equitativa”. Cecilia hizo una breve reseña de ambas profesionales destacando su compromiso con el acceso equitativo a la información en salud.

Fuente: https://www.paho.org/es/noticias/12-9-2024-bvs-honduras-renueva-su-comite-consultivo-se-compromete-con-acceso-equitativo

,

BIREME and SESAI advance in the implementation of the VHL for Indigenous Health with new alignments and partnerships

In continuity with efforts to strengthen indigenous health in Latin America and the Caribbean by promoting the visibility, access and use of the scientific and technical literature produced in the region, since the beginning of 2024, BIREME/PAHO/WHO and the Special Secretariat for Indigenous Health of the Brazilian Ministry of Health (SESAI/MS) have dedicated significant efforts to advancing on the various fronts of the project. The activities take place in the context of Technical Cooperation Agreement 93, in its fourth Amendment (TA4/TC93). Below are the highlights of the project over the last six months.

1. Alignment of the work plan and holding a workshop

After two face-to-face meetings held in February and April 2024, it was possible to align the VHL Indigenous Health work plan with SESAI’s priorities, consolidating a strategic cooperation with Fiocruz. This alliance aims to integrate the initiatives of the Indigenous Health VHL and the Health of Indigenous Peoples VHL, optimizing resources and expanding the impact of the VHL throughout Brazil. Besides the teams from SESAI, BIREME, and Fiocruz, the alignment of the work plan also involved representatives from the General Coordination of Documentation and Information of Brazil’s Ministry of Health (CGDI/MS) and PAHO Brazil.

2. Setting strategic goals

Based on the integration of initiatives in favor of the Indigenous Health VHL, four strategic goals were defined, listed below. For each goal, the activities and main expected results were defined.

Goal 1 – Analysis and prospecting of innovative information technologies and methodologies aimed at improving transparency and dissemination of information and knowledge in the area of indigenous peoples’ health. It includes the improvement of the Health of Indigenous Peoples VHL.

Goal 2 – Analysis of actions identified for improving organizational effectiveness to strengthen national indigenous health policies and strategies, with the mapping and analysis of scientific and technical information available in the VHL.

Goal 3 – Analysis based on bibliographic governance, in relation to the need for adequate management of SESAI’s collection, considering its organization and cataloguing of scientific and technical publications. It includes the development of a SESAI database.

Goal 4 – Enable the exchange of experiences and dissemination of knowledge between health systems and services promoted and shared within the scope of national and international cooperation.

3. New portal of the Health of Indigenous Peoples VHL

One of the most eagerly awaited achievements is the creation of the new portal of the Health of Indigenous Peoples VHL, whose specifications have already been completed. Expected to be launched by the end of 2024, the portal will serve as a tool for health professionals working in indigenous communities, promoting and facilitating access to relevant and up-to-date content.

4. Diagnosis and implementation of the governance structure

A comprehensive diagnosis of the Health of Indigenous Peoples VHL was carried out, recommending the implementation of an efficient governance structure. This structure will allow a collaborative flow for the continuous updating of information sources, ensuring the relevance and quality of the collection.

5. Mapping of institutions and researchers

The preliminary mapping of institutions and researchers involved in indigenous health has been completed and will be reviewed and complemented by specialized consultants. The aim of the mapping is to seek to expand the VHL’s collection, reflecting the wealth and diversity of research in the area.

6. Survey with Indigenous Health Professionals

Carried out by BIREME in 2022, a detailed survey of health professionals working in indigenous communities in the state of Mato Grosso (Brazil) identified some of the main needs and challenges in accessing information. The results were presented to the Ministry of Health, which suggested expanding the study and including indigenous communities from other territorial and health contexts. These results should guide the development of new resources and functionalities for the portal, ensuring that the solutions meet the real users’ needs.

7. Development of content evaluation criteria

In order to guarantee the quality and relevance of the information available on the VHL, strict criteria have been established for selecting and evaluating the content that will integrate the collection. These criteria will be reviewed and approved by an advisory committee, ensuring that the collection reflects the best practices and knowledge in the area of indigenous health.

“This is a project that has promoted the exchange of experiences and knowledge between different health systems and services, both nationally and internationally. This exchange is key to strengthening health practices and promoting innovations that meet the needs of indigenous populations” highlighted BIREME Director João Paulo Souza.

Information and Knowledge on Indigenous Peoples’ Health

These joint efforts reflect the ongoing commitment of BIREME and SESAI to strengthen information and knowledge management in the area of indigenous health, contributing directly to the improvement of the Unified Health System (SUS) and the Indigenous Health Care Subsystem.

For Veronica Abdala, the project’s focal point at BIREME, “the expectation is that, with the completion of the new portal and the ongoing activities, indigenous populations will have increasing access to scientific and technical information that meets their specific needs, thus contributing to promoting health equity throughout the country”.

Source: https://boletin.bireme.org/en/2024/09/04/bireme-and-sesai-advance-in-the-implementation-of-the-vhl-for-indigenous-health-with-new-alignments-and-partnerships/

Mpox Window of Knowledge highlights updated documents for emergency response

On August 14, 2024, the Director-General of the World Health Organization (WHO) declared a new outbreak of Mpox to be a Public Health Emergency of International Concern (PHEIC). The decision was prompted by the increase in cases in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) and other African countries, which are now facing the spread of a new strain of the virus, clade 1b. This is the second time in two years that Mpox has been declared a PHEIC, underlining the seriousness of the situation and the need for a coordinated international response.

Infographics on the Mpox Windows of Knowledge, highlighting resources like technical guidelines, vaccines, and therapeutic options provided by PAHO and WHO.

To support health professionals, researchers and the general public in understanding and responding to Mpox, BIREME has updated the Window of Knowledge in the Virtual Health Library (VHL) dedicated exclusively to the topic. The Mpox Window of Knowledge brings together documents, studies, guidelines and resources on the disease, ranging from clinical aspects to prevention and control strategies.

With the detection of a new strain of the clade 1b virus in the Democratic Republic of Congo, which has spread to other countries in Africa and may reach other continents, including the Americas, PAHO reinforces that it is essential that all those involved in the response to the outbreak are well-informed. The Mpox Window of Knowledge serves as a strategic information tool to support surveillance, preparedness and emergency response activities, as outlined in the four PAHO/WHO strategic pillars:

  1. Communication and engagement of at-risk communities: the platform offers educational materials and awareness campaigns aimed at informing communities about Mpox risks and prevention measures.
  2. Timely detection and treatment: provides clinical guidelines and treatment protocols to ensure effective case management and the protection of health workers.
  3. Laboratory confirmation and surveillance: the Window of Knowledge facilitates access to resources on epidemiological surveillance and the containment of transmission chains, which are essential for controlling the spread of the virus.
  4. Access to essential supplies: through international partnerships and guidelines, the platform provides guidance on the use of emergency vaccines and therapies, which are essential for affected countries.

This determination of ESPII is the second in two years related to Mpox. Caused by an Orthopoxvirus, Mpox was first detected in humans in 1970 in the Democratic Republic of Congo. The disease is considered endemic in central and western African countries. Focal point at BIREME for the development and publication of the Window of Knowledge VHL collection, librarian Rosemeire Pinto recalls that “the purpose of the Window of Knowledge is to support the dissemination of and access to quality scientific and technical information, facilitating informed decision-making and the implementation of effective public health measures”.

Access the Mpox Window of Knowledge and learn about the latest updates and resources available to tackle this global public health emergency.

Source: https://boletin.bireme.org/en/2024/09/04/mpox-window-of-knowledge-highlights-updated-documents-for-emergency-response/

, ,

Progress on the WHO’s Traditional Medicine Global Library

The World Health Organization (WHO) is moving forward with the Traditional Medicine Global Library (TMGL) to systematize a database of knowledge and evidence to inform policies, standards and regulatory frameworks for safe, cost-effective and equitable use. Coordinated with BIREME, the Library aims to consolidate and disseminate knowledge on Traditional, Complementary and Integrative Medicines (TCIM) to strengthen national health policies.

Development of the portal mock-up

One of the most significant recent milestones in the development of the TMGL is the creation of the portal’s mock-up. This structural outline will provide the basis for the global instance of the library and will include regional instances to meet the specific needs of different regions of the world. In other words, each regional office of the World Health Organization will have its own information structure within the Global Library. These are: African Region (AFRO); Region of the Americas (PAHO/AMRO); South-East Asia Region (SEARO); European Region (EURO); Eastern Mediterranean Region (EMRO) and Western Pacific Region (WPRO).

Verônica Abdala, the project’s technical focal point at BIREME, highlights the global group’s concern to ensure that all WHO regions are represented in the new library. “During a recent meeting, we emphasized the importance of getting feedback from the regional focal points to ensure that the regional instances of the library are adapted to local specificities”, she shares. The first version of the mock-up will be presented to the coordination group at the end of July, marking an important step in the achievement of this global resource, reinforced João Paulo Souza, Director of BIREME and general coordinator of the project, in an exchange with the technical focal points.

Rapid review of the literature on digital sources

In parallel with the development of the portal, the TMGL team is in the final stages of preparing a rapid review article on digital sources. This document aims to map and analyze the databases, repositories, digital platforms, libraries, journals and other information sources dedicated to storing scientific information and knowledge on traditional, indigenous, complementary and integrative health practices (TICIM). The rapid review will support the identification of databases and digital sources that can be integrated into the WHO global database, ensuring that the library is a comprehensive and accessible knowledge repository.

Content registry for the TMGL collection

Content registry for the TMGL collection is already underway, following the identification and selection of databases, repositories, journals and reference documents. Moreover, content presented at important international events is being registered, such as the WHO Global Summit on Traditional Medicine held in Gandhinagar, India, in August 2023, and the WHO Global Technical Coordination Meeting on Traditional Medicine, held in New Delhi, India, in March 2024.

“These events, which brought together experts from all over the world to share knowledge and discuss advances in TCIM, provided a wealth of information for the library,” explained Veronica Abdala, who attended the Technical Meeting in 2024. BIREME was also represented by its director, João Paulo Souza, at the first WHO Summit on this subject, in 2023.

Source: https://boletin.bireme.org/en/2024/08/01/progress-on-the-whos-traditional-medicine-global-library/

, , ,

BIREME supports MedCarib and the Caribbean VHL

In the second half of 2024, BIREME is holding a series of five technical sessions especially aimed at the public in English-speaking Caribbean countries. The activities were launched on July 23, with the theme “Indexing documents using the LILACS Methodology”, and a presentation by Sueli Suga, BIREME’s Referential Information Sources Supervisor. The complete schedule of meetings is now available, with a calendar up to November, covering other topics, such as Diversity, Equity and Inclusion (DEI) in the editorial process of scientific journals; Reference Librarians Network; and Marketing Strategies for the MEDCARIB Network.

The initiative is part of the Center’s 2024-2025 Biennial Work Plan and aims to strengthen the MedCarib Network and the Caribbean Virtual Health Library (VHL), promoting access to scientific and technical information in health produced in the region. Focal point for technical cooperation projects with the countries of the Caribbean region, Marcia Barreto stressed that the technical sessions are also aligned with the strategic plan drawn up jointly with the MedCarib Network during the Virtual Health Library (VHL) Meeting held in November 2024 in São Paulo, Brazil. “Our goal is to support the strengthening of the MedCarib Network and cooperatively build the VHL for the Caribbean countries, promoting BIREME’s mission of facilitating access to scientific and technical information in health, supporting the decisions and guiding the practices of professionals, researchers, students and managers in the region”.

The first session opened with comments and a welcome from João Paulo Souza, Director of BIREME, Victoria Cruickshank-Taylor, Regional Coordinator of the MedCarib Network, and Verônica Abdala, Information Sources Manager at BIREME. The event welcomed 30 participants from five countries: Barbados, Grenada, Guyana, Jamaica, and Trinidad and Tobago. Check out the details of the program below.

About the Caribbean VHL

BIREME’s cooperation with the English-speaking Caribbean countries began in 1989 with the creation of the MedCarib database, a database of bibliographic references in the health sciences. This initiative saw the participation of 17 countries, forming the MedCarib Network, which uses the LILACS Methodology to promote the dissemination of scientific and technical information produced in the region.

Currently, the VHL Network and the MedCarib Network have the following instances from countries in the region: the Belize VHL, managed by the Belize National Library Service and Information System; the Guyana VHL, managed by the University of Guyana Library and the Ministry of Health of Guyana; and the Puerto Rico VHL, which operates under the responsibility of the Conrado F. Asenjo Library, Medical Sciences Department of the University of Puerto Rico.

Among the products and services available is MEDCARIB, a bibliographic database that includes documents such as books, book chapters, theses, technical reports, conference proceedings, journal articles and gray literature.

Another important resource is the CARPHA Evidence Portal, a continuously updated repository of research, syntheses and policy documents relevant to the Caribbean. In addition, VHL users in the region also have access to the Belize Database and the Guyana Library Catalog, both of which bring together national health sciences literature.

Source: https://boletin.bireme.org/en/2024/08/01/bireme-supports-medcarib-and-the-caribbean-vhl/
, ,

New VHL Search Strategy for Oropouche Fever

On July 16, BIREME launched a new search strategy in the Virtual Health Library (VHL) focused on Oropouche fever. The initiative seeks to respond to the recent epidemiological alert issued by the Pan American Health Organization (PAHO), and its updates. In the first half of 2024, and for the first time since 2010, PAHO published a series of six alerts and updates on the situation and the risk to communities. The Oropouche fever has affected communities in five countries: Brazil, Bolivia, Peru, Cuba, and Colombia, with more than 7,700 reported cases.

Systematic search provides visibility to information

In this context, the new VHL search strategy aims to provide critical information to support the response to the current situation. In July 2024, the VHL search yielded more than 1,300 sources of information on the subject, including 954 full texts, 39 documents from the LILACS database and seven from the PAHO-IRIS repository. It is also noteworthy that, in the last year alone, 103 full texts have been published, mostly in English, covering various research methods such as prognostic, risk factor, etiological and screening studies, among others.

Essential tools for science and public policy

The collection of search expressions in the VHL can also be applied to the development of thematic areas and other information resources, such as Evidence Maps and Knowledge Showcases, among others. The repository publishes the full description, including details of the bibliographic search expressions, which can be adapted to other sources of information such as PUBMED and EMBASE, allowing these searches to be shared and reused. The repository is constantly updated by the VHL Reference Network.

Information for Action in Health

It is part of BIREME’s technical cooperation to support countries, health professionals and decision-makers to use information and scientific evidence to respond adequately to the health needs of affected communities. The new search strategy for Oropouche fever is a significant step in this commitment, offering a solid knowledge base to face the current epidemiological challenges.

Check it out and explore: https://bvsalud.org/queries/search_strategy/oropouche-fever/?l=pt_BR.

Source: https://boletin.bireme.org/en/2024/08/01/new-vhl-search-strategy-for-oropouche-fever/

Progress in strengthening the SMS-São Paulo VHL in the first half of 2024

The Latin American and Caribbean Center on Health Sciences Information (BIREME/PAHO/WHO), in cooperation with the São Paulo Municipal Health Secretariat (SMS-SP), continues to make progress in maintaining, updating and developing the SMS São Paulo Virtual Health Library (VHL). In the first half of 2024, various activities were carried out, including renewing the portal, re-establishing the collaboration network and training SMS-SP’s technical areas. These efforts are part of the Technical Cooperation project, in Phase III of the agreement established between the institutions since 2010, which aims to consolidate and strengthen local information and knowledge management capacities.

Renewal of the SMS-SP VHL portal

One of the main initiatives of the current phase has been the renewal of the SMS-SP VHL portal, an activity that includes reviewing and evaluating the content offered, the information architecture and aspects of usability, considering the opinion and needs of the VHL’s target audience. During the period from January to June 2024, the server on which the SMS São Paulo VHL is hosted was available for use 97.8% of the time. The remaining 2.2% corresponds to scheduled maintenance and security updates. Moreover, the VHL, sub-portals, information sources and integrated search interface were backed up and monitored internally and externally.

Re-establishing the Collaboration Network

In order to guarantee the regular updating and completeness of the databases, the project is implementing the reactivation of the SMS-SP VHL Executive Committee and Advisory Committee to record the scientific and technical output of the Secretariat. In February, a meeting formalized a new agreement to expand the activities coordinated between SMS-SP and BIREME, addressing technical specifications for the development of an application for the SMS-SP VHL. Moreover, a diagnosis on the visibility of SMS-SP’s scientific and technical output was produced to learn about the challenges and expectations of the SMS-SP VHL Network Cooperating Centers, providing valuable considerations for planning future actions. “The suggestions include the creation of spaces to highlight the output of each SMS-SP body, access sections to external portals and databases, and document support and analysis services, holding periodic meetings, varying training schedules, partnerships with the Capes Journal Portal, and greater transparency and agility in meeting demands”, mentioned Juliana Sousa, Digital Solutions Supervisor at BIREME.

Training for skills development

Training sessions on registering scientific and technical publications in the SMS-SP VHL databases were held in May, with the participation of professionals from various SMS-SP technical areas. The methodology combined theory and practice, with practical exercises carried out directly in the system. On May 21, the focus was on bibliographic records and notions of database indexing. On May 22, the Website Catalogue (LIS), the Events Directory (DIREVE), Multimedia, Experience Reports and Windows of Knowledge were covered.

The event was attended by 12 representatives from institutions such as the Municipal Health School (EMS), Vila Nova Cachoeirinha and Campo Limpo Hospitals, the People Management Coordination Office (COGEP), the Health Surveillance Coordination Office (COVISA/DVZ), and the Health Region Coordination Offices CRS-Center, CRS-West, CRS-South and CRS-East. Each participant brought examples of documents, selected according to the selection criteria established by the SMS-SP VHL for registration in the respective information source.

Furthermore, with the aim of promoting the continuous improvement of the activities coordinated by BIREME, the participants answered an evaluation survey, measuring the effectiveness of the training and identifying strengths and weaknesses, and including the collection of comments and testimonials from the participants, which can be seen below. The results of the survey showed that the overall evaluation was positive, with 58% of the participants giving it top marks. Most participants considered the face-to-face format to be adequate, and indicated satisfaction with the methodology, the venue, the knowledge of the speakers, the practical activities, the clarity of the information, the dynamics of the practical exercises and the group interaction.

Maintaining operations and new developments

During the semester, BIREME offered continuous technical and methodological support for the regular operation of the SMS-SP VHL portal. Occurrences related to access to the new Google Analytics, guidance on WordPress and information updates on the portal were recorded. Meetings were also held with the SMS-SP team to provide guidance and follow up on database migration activities.

In addition, the teams made progress with the production and publication of a new Window of Knowledge on “COREMU – Multiprofessional Residency Commission“, and four new videos Experience Reports, listed below. BIREME has also produced an instructional video entitled “Tips on how to behave in front of the cameras“, with the participation of COREMU staff at SMS-SP.

The topics of the reports recorded in 2024 were:

  • Fighting the COVID-19 pandemic: an experience report from the management of the Ignácio Proença de Gouvêa Municipal Hospital in Mooca;
  • Our main experiences in the municipal Mobile Pre-Hospital Care service in the city of São Paulo – from APH to APH 192 and now SAMU 192;
  • Life story with Nursing;
  • Multiprofessional Health Residency Commission of the São Paulo Municipal Secretariat: a report on affirmative actions.

The progress made in the first half of 2024 reflects the commitment of BIREME and SMS-SP to promote the efficient management of knowledge and information in health. The activities developed consolidate the SMS-São Paulo VHL as a vital space for the dissemination of the scientific and technical production of the Secretariat, contributing to the continuous improvement of health services in the municipality of São Paulo.

For more information, visit the SMS-São Paulo VHL portal, https://sms.sp.bvs.br.

Testimonials from workshop participants

Edenir Aparecida Sartorelli, nurse, CRS-West

“I work at the Municipal Health School of the Western Regional Health Coordination (CRS-West), in permanent education.

This training and the discussion of this topic allow us to broaden our view of what can be disseminated, what we need to give visibility to, what outputs of the territory or the secretariat need to be disseminated or have greater visibility, and how to organize this information, these outputs, in a way that facilitates their use on the VHL platform. So, I believe that the relevance is organization, stimulation, dissemination and, in short, the expansion of knowledge, putting knowledge into action.

In our collection, we have worked on completing residencies and specializations in nursing. We also have reports on the experiences of professionals with their equipment, in other words, in the daily practice of their services. We also produce protocols, healthcare flows, videos, training courses, online courses, and many events, among others”.

Hernani Correa Medola, librarian, COVISA/DVZ

“I think this type of training is key because it enables us to make the information developed and produced within the secretariat more accessible to the entire population, which is the main purpose of our service, to give visibility and make this information accessible. This kind of training helps with standardization and the quality of records.

I’m a librarian at the Zoonosis Surveillance Division of the Health Surveillance Coordination (COVISA). Our collection has a multitude of documents, ranging from books, bibliographic material, to reports, manuals, educational material, which is distributed to the population. So, everything that is produced by the Zoonoses Surveillance and Health Surveillance are the materials that make up our collection.”

Marine Arakaki, librarian, Municipal Health School, Coordination of the SMS-SP VHL

“I think this version of face-to-face training was very important. Compared to the previous versions, which were online, in 2022 and 2023, we had a slightly smaller number of participants. However, as it was the first training course after the change of management system to the FI-Admin platform, it was very important that we held face-to-face training. Even so, there were only a few librarians who had this knowledge and close contact with the tool.

And the SMS-SP VHL network is made up of health professionals who are not information professionals, so they need more attention to understand the methodology, fill in the records and define the type of document. And in this respect, I think that BIREME’s training, together with the other colleagues who were present with us, was necessary. There was discussion, people raised their doubts, criticisms, suggestions, in short, I thought it was very useful.”

Tamara Leite Cortez, veterinarian, COVISA/DVZ

“The importance of this type of training is so that, in fact, we can make the records properly, so that they are retrievable and, with that, give visibility to the production, in our case, of COVISA, which is the cooperating center of which I am a member. In fact, BIREME’s training courses always meet my expectations, and this is not the first. I’ve been following the SMS-SP VHL project since its inception in 2009. What I’ve noticed over time is that, despite the turnover of professionals who act as the VHL’s focal point, we’ve managed to see this VHL growing and changing, adapting to today’s conditions.

And that’s where I think the beauty of health information lies in being able to show what we do. Because, as a health professional, I’m a veterinarian, we work a lot and have little time to show what we do. And the VHL gives us this opportunity to democratize information, to have free access to information and, often, to replicate what we do in the units in São Paulo, which have such diverse realities, in other Brazilian states, but, above all, in other countries.”

Source: https://boletin.bireme.org/en/2024/07/04/progress-in-strengthening-the-sms-sao-paulo-vhl-in-the-first-half-of-2024/

DeCS 2024 Edition is now available online

Coordinated by the Latin American and Caribbean Center on Health Sciences Information of the Pan American Health Organization / World Health Organization (BIREME/PAHO/WHO), the multilingual thesaurus of Health Sciences Descriptors/Medical Subject Headings (DeCS/MeSH) received 394 new descriptors in its latest annual update. The 2024 edition was made available for consultation in May 2024.

Highlights of the DeCS 2024 Edition

Highlights of this edition include new records added to the thesaurus, with 311 coming from MeSH, and 83 new descriptors added in categories exclusive to Latin American literature. With this update, DeCS now contains more than 729,000 terms, including descriptors and synonyms, available in four languages. Highlights also include the insertion and changes of descriptors in the Special MeSH Project related to “Psychological Stress” and advances in the review of the “Homeopathy” category, an exclusive category of DeCS that should be fully revised by the 2025 edition.

Ana Cristina Campos, from the Terminologies and Classifications in Health Sector at BIREME, explains that the annual updates aim to ensure that DeCS maintains its relevance and accuracy as a tool for locating information. “As part of the LILACS and VHL information management methodology, the use of controlled vocabulary in the health field makes research and retrieval of scientific and technical health literature more effective,” she clarified.

The annual editions of DeCS are published in accordance with MeSH updates, involving the inclusion of new terms, as well as the removal and repositioning of others. “As a reflection of the transformations of scientific knowledge and the changes inherent to languages, the terminology used in indexing is dynamic and requires constant review and adaptation,” observes Luciana Piovezan, librarian of the Digital Solutions and Emerging Technologies team at BIREME.

Notable Changes in DeCS 2024

In 2024, the category “Chemicals and Drugs” received the highest number of new descriptors, with the inclusion of 129 new terms. “Homeopathy” and “Public Health” received, respectively, 61 and 34 new descriptors. Check below the list of categories that received the most descriptors and the number of additions in the annual update. The total number of terms in each category can be seen in the image below.

D – Chemicals and Drugs ………………………………………………….. 129
HP – Homeopathy …………………………………………………………………………….. 61
SP – Public Health …………………………………………………………………………….. 34
B – Organisms …………………………………………………………………………….. 28
N – Health Care …………………………………………………………………. 28
G – Phenomena and Processes …………………………………………………………… 24
C – Diseases ………………………………………………………………………….. 20
E – Analytical, Diagnostic and Therapeutic Techniques and Equipment …. 19
F – Psychiatry and Psychology …………………………………………………………….. 17
I – Anthropology, Education, Sociology, and Social Phenomena ……………. 14
L – Information Science ………………………………………………………………. 11

A series of new terms were added to the area of “Psychological Stress,” such as Emotional Exhaustion, Financial Stress, Job Security, Media Exposure, Medical Abandonment, and others. In the subcategory “[I01] Social Sciences,” six alternative terms were elevated to descriptor status. These are Diplomacy, Environmentalism, Political Maneuvers, Stakeholder Participation, Political Activism, and Voting.

Regarding the review of the Homeopathy category, an activity that has been carried out since 2022, the current edition focused on the adjustment of the term “Hierarchies.” Previously organized alphabetically, the terms are now classified by the origin of the medications, such as “Homeopathic Medicine of Animal Origin” or Plant, Viral, Bacterial Origin, etc. With this, nine new descriptors were added to structure more specific concepts, and about 1,558 descriptors had their hierarchy changed, making this the largest number of changes ever implemented in the category since the beginning of its review.

Another novelty of the 2024 Edition, available only in Portuguese so far, is the adjustment of terms according to Inclusive Language guidelines. The initiative met the demand of researchers from the NAI Research Group – Accessibility and Inclusion Center, of the University of Vale do São Francisco, and resulted in the revision of terms related to people with disabilities. Reflecting the impact of this innovation, the term “Deaf Culture” was added to the MeSH thesaurus as a new descriptor.

“At the request of users, the 2024 Edition also includes a series of new descriptors in the Public Health category, such as Femicide, Voluntary Delivery, Birth Plan, Migrant Health, Psychiatric Reform, School Violence, and Prison Overcrowding,” highlighted Ana Cristina. The complete list of new descriptors added in 2024 is available on the DeCS Portal, at the link: https://decs.bvsalud.org/.

DeCS Panorama and other new features on the portal

The redesigned DeCS Portal Home now provides direct access to the “DeCS Finder” resources and the “How to Search” toolbox. Another new feature is the “DeCS Panorama” section, which regularly publishes highlights, news and specific tips for thesaurus users. Check out the content already available at Panorama DeCS – (decs.bvsalud.org).

Reference: https://boletin.bireme.org/en/2024/06/12/decs-2024-edition-is-now-available-online/

BIREME and SESAI hold workshop to strengthen the Indigenous Peoples’ VHL

The Latin American and Caribbean Center on Health Sciences Information of the Pan American Health Organization/World Health Organization (BIREME/PAHO/WHO), in coordination with the Secretariat of Indigenous Health (SESAI/MoH) and the PAHO/WHO Representation in Brazil, organized a workshop aimed at aligning their new work plan with the Virtual Health Library (VHL) Model, as well as addressing the information and knowledge management priorities and needs of SESAI. The event took place on April 18th and 19th, 2024, at the PAHO/WHO Representation headquarters in Brasília and was attended by approximately 20 representatives from the promoting institutions and Fiocruz.

Photo: Karina Zambrana (PAHO/WHO).

Global action to strengthen traditional health practices

Among the priorities established for the new work plan are the improvement of the Indigenous Peoples’ VHL, the strengthening of information and knowledge management at SESAI, and the promotion of the exchange of experiences and dissemination of knowledge between health systems and services in the context of national and international cooperation.

At the opening of the event, BIREME Director João Paulo Souza presented the “WHO Global Action to Strengthen Traditional Health Practices”. He highlighted the importance of valuing the indigenous knowledge of Brazil, aligning it with global discussions. “We are experiencing a new phase in seeking to integrate traditional and indigenous knowledge and medicines into conventional health systems and knowledge production in this area. With this, we are seeking to ensure that more people have access to culturally appropriate care, thus expanding the capacity of health systems to meet the needs of all,” emphasized João Paulo Souza.

The Workshop’s agenda included a series of activities for the work plan specifications. “We followed a script to review and detail the entire scope of the Project, including defining the mission, objectives, expected results, indicators, and lines of action,” said Veronica Abdala, Manager of Information Products and Services at BIREME. Other definitions agreed upon by the participants included technical aspects for the construction of the Indigenous Peoples’ VHL portal, such as the sources and types of information corresponding to the information needs of the VHL’s target audience. The program also included the construction of a network for the governance of the Indigenous Peoples’ VHL and the identification of the target audience and their information needs. “These are essential factors for the success of a VHL,” explained Veronica Abdala.

Celebration of National Indigenous Peoples’ Day

Highlighted in the program, one activity was dedicated to celebrating Brazil’s National Indigenous Peoples’ Day, commemorated on April 19th. The reference to the date featured an intervention by Giovana Mandulão, General Coordinator of Knowledge Management, Information, Evaluation, and Monitoring of Indigenous Health (CGCOIM/SESAI), who presented herself as a Macuxi Wapichana indigenous woman, representing the peoples of the triple border territory between Brazil, Venezuela, and Guyana.

At the beginning of her speech, Giovana Mandulão invited her relatives who attended the Workshop to join her in front of the microphone and camera, marking the moment of political action with strong emotion and a sense of belonging. “First, I would like to invite my relatives who are here, powerful warrior women, Hellen Pankararu, Cleizy Baré, and Raylene Baré, to be here with me. We never walk alone, so come with me, our warrior sisters. It is a very important moment to be here, it is even a historic moment, very symbolic, to be here in this space,” she began.

Next, with the aim of prompting those present to reflect, Giovana Mandulão read a passage from the “Manifesto for the Life of Indigenous Peoples” and then concluded: “We left our territory so that we could be heard by you, by the State, and here, with great pride, all of us recognize this journey, we left our territory and came here to qualify ourselves to discuss with you. May our demands be heard, our struggle, because there is a much larger movement, our peoples are there in the territory. And it is for them that we are here.”

Launch of the new Indigenous Peoples’ VHL portal

The cooperation project is being developed by BIREME in coordination with SESAI, through Cooperation Term number 93, in its fourth additional term (TA4/TC93). According to the project’s schedule, the launch of the new VHL Portal for Indigenous Peoples’ Health is scheduled for the end of the second semester of 2024.

 

Links of Interest:

Thematic VHL in development for Indigenous populations – PAHO/WHO | Pan American Health Organization (paho.org)

Reference: https://boletin.bireme.org/en/2024/06/07/bireme-and-sesai-hold-workshop-to-strengthen-the-indigenous-peoples-vhl/

BIREME presents the new Ripsa portal during the 30th Interagency Workshop of the Health Information Network

Developed to promote access to and use of scientific and technical information for public health policy formulation, the new Health Information Network (Ripsa) portal is now available online for public use. The portal’s reactivation is a significant step in resuming Ripsa’s activities, which have been coordinated by the Department for the Evaluation and Dissemination of Strategic Health Information the Secretariat of Information and Digital Health of the Ministry of Health Brazil (DEMAS/SEIDIGI/MoH) since 2022.

New Ripsa Portal

The development of the new Ripsa portal was coordinated by the Latin American and Caribbean Center on Health Sciences Information of the Pan American Health Organization/World Health Organization (BIREME/PAHO/WHO) through a technical cooperation agreement established with SEIDIGI/MS in 2023. Focal point for this project, Juliana Sousa, Supervisor of Digital Solutions and Emerging Technologies and Project Management at BIREME, explained, “This is a tool for disseminating and giving visibility to the information products developed by the Network. It was built considering Ripsa users’ needs and incorporating best practices in design, usability, and functionality.”

BIREME presented the new portal during the 30th Interagency Workshop (OTI) of the Network, held on April 4-5, 2024, at the PAHO Brazil office in Brasília. Juliana Sousa led the presentation, detailing the development stages, advancements since the last OTI, and the next steps for managing the information produced by Ripsa. Over sixty Ripsa members attended, representing 43 institutions, including CONASS, CONASEMS, ANS, Abep, Abrasco, INCA, IPEA, IBGE, PAHO, and others from public agencies and universities. BIREME Director João Paulo Souza also participated in the event, engaging in workshop discussions and activities of the Indicators Management Committee for Risk and Protection Factor .

The 30th OTI also aimed to share preliminary results of the situational diagnosis of Ripsa’s “Basic Indicators and Data” (Base IBD). The situation analysis has been conducted by the Indicators Management Committees (CGI) since the 29th OTI in August 2023, reviewing and updating all IDBs in Ripsa’s indicator matrix. For the diagnoses, each CGI has undertaken several procedures, including:

  • Critical analysis of indicator qualification forms;
  • Evaluation of the current availability of databases;
  • Assessment of the primary or secondary sources used in indicator calculation regarding coverage, quality, and timeliness;
  • Evaluation of the relevance of continuing to use the same calculation method for the indicators, based on each indicator’s qualification forms.

The CGIs are technical-scientific bodies tasked with continually improving Ripsa’s indicator base, organized into seven thematic subsets: Demographic, Socioeconomic, Morbidity, Mortality, Coverage, Resources, and Risk and Protection Factors.

Technical Cooperation for information management

In addition to building the new Ripsa Portal and reactivating it as a dissemination and visibility space for Network products, the technical cooperation project between BIREME and DEMAS/SEIDIGI/MS includes two more action lines: managing the Portal Ripsa content collection and developing a new platform for publishing qualification forms on the Ripsa portal. “Activities for these action lines are in development and follow the product schedule proposed by Ripsa’s Technical Secretariat, which plans to complete all diagnostics and updates by the end of 2024,” explained Juliana Sousa.

The 2024 operational and product launch schedule for Ripsa also includes making all revised and updated Indicator Qualification Forms (FQI) available and developing and publishing a Glossary of common and specific technical terms used in the FQIs. The next Network workshop, the 31st OTI, is scheduled for December 5-6, 2024, at the PAHO office in Brasília/DF.

Visit the portal at: https://www.ripsa.org.br/

Reference: https://boletin.bireme.org/en/2024/06/05/bireme-presents-the-new-ripsa-portal-during-the-30th-interagency-workshop-of-the-health-information-network-2/