Telehealth is the area that provides remote care in various specialties, allowing for an advanced process for monitoring patients, transmitting and sharing information, as well as analyzing results from different exams, effectively making healthcare accessible at any time and place. To make this possible, this type of care relies on the support of Information and Communication Technologies (ICTs). In Brazil and around the world, Telehealth breaks down geographical distances and connects specialists to other healthcare professionals, healthcare facility administrators, and patients.
During the pandemic, for example, it was the safest way to access healthcare. However, this is not something new. Since 1990, the World Health Organization (WHO) has recognized the importance of remote care, especially in cases where distance is a critical factor in the provision of services.
On December 27, 2022, Law No. 14,510 was enacted in Brazil, authorizing the practice of Telehealth throughout the national territory. This measure is undoubtedly a memorable step forward, as it represents an advancement in the practice of Telehealth in all its modalities, some of which were even prohibited in the past by medical boards. This is the case of the first telemedicine consultation, which was prohibited for years by the Medical Board and only became permitted by the board last year.
Second Caio Soares, president of Digital Health Brazil (SDB), the approval of the Law provides a real environment for the sector’s development, by bringing clarity and legal certainty so that the states and the federation can advance in increasing the use of this service. Another relevant factor for the sector’s development was the creation of the National Secretariat for Digital Health by the Ministry of Health, which will lead relevant issues in the country, such as the advancement of Telehealth in the SUS, the expansion of the RNDS and the creation of regulations for issues related to digital health. “Having a specialized secretariat to discuss and debate issues related to this subject is a huge step forward for the sector. We are very excited about this new scenario because we have seen a major break down of barriers, which will lead to sustainable growth in the coming years. A large part of the population still waits a long time for consultations, exams and even surgeries. With Telehealth, this great demand can be effectively organized in a more assertive manner”, explains the president.
The use of telemedicine was boosted by the pandemic and became a reality for part of the population, especially those who have access to health insurance and private institutions. However, at the federal level, through the Unified Health System (SUS), it has been a reality for 15 years, although expanding the use of this service in the SUS is a challenge, given its continental dimensions, with social and technological inequalities, such as the availability of internet or even a computer or smartphone.
According to Michele Alves, SD Executive ManagerB, this care model can change the way people manage their health individually, being, above all, a gateway to primary care in a preventive manner. The SUS, on which 71.5% of the Brazilian population depends – according to the National Health Survey (2020) by the Brazilian Institute of Geography and Statistics (IBGE) – is the greatest potential beneficiary of digital health. “This is because technology can overcome the obstacles involving access to the health system, both in primary care and in specialist care, in addition to shortening the distances and time between diagnosis and treatment, which is crucial for achieving better clinical outcomes and directly and positively impacting the lives of millions of Brazilians”, says Michele.
The regulation of the Law brings optimism to the segment, but there are still several challenges to be overcome, requiring the effective implementation of projects aimed at system interoperability and data governance. Currently, the SUS is moving towards digitalization. To achieve this, it will be necessary to invest in infrastructure, including in relation to technologies to support and provide health services, such as systems that enable electronic prescription of medications, patient monitoring, performance of exams and diagnoses, and digital management of services.
To Carlos Pedrotti, vice-president of the entity, with the creation of the Law and the National Secretariat for Digital Health, the expectation is that there will be greater involvement from the federal government in the unification of projects and increasing availability of tools (databases and platforms) for use in the public sector. “We see some challenges to be overcome from now on: the development of a platform with modern and advanced technology so that it can be used on a large scale in the implementation of Telehealth, the unification of the database so that the information is correctly stored and remains accessible in the future, as well as the need for regulation of standards for electronic prescriptions”, comments Pedrotti.
