Reporting on health-related research in two prestigious Brazilian newspapers.

Objectives: The dissemination of health-related news through newspapers can influence the behavior of patients and of health care providers. We conducted a study to analyze the characteristics of health-related research published by two leading Brazilian newspapers.

Method: We retrospectively evaluated health-related news published in the electronic versions of the newspapers Folha de São Paulo and O Estado de São Paulo over a period of three months (July through September, 2009).

Medical learning in a private hospital: patients' and companions' perspectives.

Context And Objective: Contact with patients has important implications for medical students' education. Previous studies have shown that patients in teaching hospitals have positive views about medical education. The aim here was to assess the acceptability of medical education among patients and their companions in a non-teaching private hospital that is planning to implement a medical teaching program in the near future.

Stroke awareness among cardiovascular disease patients.

Background: The early recognition of stroke signs and symptoms is of great relevance concerning the outcome, since it enhances the chances of thrombolytic therapy use.

Purpose: To compare the knowledge of stroke among a community-based sample and patients treated in a cardiologic clinic.

Method: We applied a questionnaire during one morning to people who were walking in a park (Pa) and spontaneously stopped at a health tent and during one week to patients of a cardiologic clinic (Ca).