Vilanova I La Geltru

This research aims to find out if an interactive and informative exhibition displayed in the waiting room of a primary care clinic can reduce benzodiazepine use in adults. The study focuses on comparing the number of participants using benzodiazepines before and after the exhibition is introduced. Health professionals at the center will also receive a single informative session about the risks of chronic benzodiazepine use. The intervention involves placing an interactive exhibition about the risks of long-term benzodiazepine treatment in the waiting area of a primary care center. Alongside this, health professionals will attend one educational session on the same topic. The study compares two groups patients who visited the center before the exhibition was implemented and those who visit after. Participants benzodiazepine use will be monitored over one year to see if the intervention affects chronic treatment. Data on benzodiazepine consumption will be collected from patients attending the primary care center. The study runs from June 2024 to July 2026, and all adults aged 18 to 99 who attend the center during this period may be involved.

Researchers are evaluating cognitive performance in the oldest-old population, those aged 80 years and above, as current neuropsychological tests are not well adapted for this age group. This observational study aims to establish normal limits for 18 neuropsychological tests to improve diagnostic evaluations for this population. The research is sponsored by Consorci Sanitari de lAlt Peneds i Garraf and involves subjects without cognitive-affecting pathologies. The study will include 120 non-institutionalized participants aged 80 or older from the Comarca del Garraf area, divided into four age groups 80-84, 85-89, 90-94, and 95 or more. Participants will undergo 18 neuropsychological tests typically used in memory clinics. Test results will be adjusted for age and education level using linear regression, and normal limits will be defined by percentiles. Participants will be evaluated at a Memory Clinic Unit after enrollment, where cognitive performance will be assessed in about 60 minutes. Researchers will collect data through these tests to define normal cognitive function ranges for this age group. The study excludes individuals with certain mental illnesses, central nervous system diseases, severe sensory deficits, or dementia. Participation involves attending scheduled assessments and cooperating with test procedures until study completion in March 2026.

Researchers are evaluating the safety of remote consultations, including video and telephone calls, compared to traditional face-to-face visits for patients followed up in a hospital setting. This randomized-controlled trial involves 2136 patients and aims to determine if remote consultations lead to a similar rate of complications related to the underlying diseases. The study excludes patients who require physical exams or have impairments affecting communication, as well as those involved in other clinical trials with experimental treatments. Participants will be randomly assigned to one of three groups face-to-face consultations, telephone consultations, or video consultations. In the face-to-face group, patients will have in-person appointments with limited phone interactions allowed. For the remote consultation groups, patients will receive reminders and either wait for a phone call or join a virtual waiting room for video calls. Physicians schedule visits as needed, including baseline, intermediate, and final visits within approximately one year. During the study, participants will undergo at least three visits, including initial screening, follow-ups, and a final visit around 12 months after enrollment. Researchers will monitor the frequency of disease complications, treatment adverse reactions, hospitalizations, unscheduled medical contacts, and healthcare costs. They will also assess the usability of the video system and satisfaction of both patients and health professionals. The study observes patients outcomes and safety throughout this period.