The mental health system in Brazil: Policies and future challenges.

Background: The aim of this paper is to assess the mental health system in Brazil in relation to the human resources and the services available to the population.

Methods: The World Health Organization Assessment Instrument for Mental Health Systems (WHO AIMS) was recently applied in Brazil. This paper will analyse data on the following sections of the WHO-AIMS: a) mental health services; and b) human resources.

Prognosis related to staging systems for chronic lymphocytic leukemia.

Context: Chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL) is a clonal lymphoproliferative disorder, characterized by B lymphocytic proliferation. CLL is the most frequent adult leukemia in Western countries, accounting for 25 to 30% of all white leukemic patients.

Objective: To evaluate clinical and staging characteristics in prognosis of chronic lymphocytic leukemia.

[The diaphragm as a contraceptive method in the experience of users in the public health services].

This study, started in August 1989, describes the acceptability of diaphragms as part of the daily routine of 194 women enrolled at five public health care centers in Osasco, (Greater São Paulo). Follow-up of the cohort was performed by semestral home interviews until August 1991. Our data indicate that the diaphragm can be a viable alternative within the public health care setting.

Model of computerized academic medical clinic.

In the traditional medical graduation course, the student receives a great amount of information while training at the Outpatient Care; the student assumes the physician's role, collecting all the information regarding the patient's clinical history and learns to get along with patients as well. During the attendance process, several factors interfere in the academic teaching, such as limitations of room numbers, amount of patients, difficulties in obtaining medical records, paper illegibility, among other problems. Due to those difficulties, the Model of Computerized Academic Health Clinic, implies in a new learning paradigm in the medical practice, rethinking the traditional process of learning-attendance, where the old model, in which attendance is restricted to a place, is extended in an open atmosphere of shared knowledge, rich of computer resources.

[Medical graduation and specialization: an apparent incompatibility].

Purpose: Partial results of a continuous evaluation process of the undergraduate medical course at Escola Paulista de Medicina (EPM) started in 1989 are presented.

Methods: A survey on expectations and opinions about the medical course of EPM was carried out among faculty members, students and alumni.

Results: The authors call into question that the medical formation is non-terminal as indicated by the late entry to labor market.