Companies are reinforcing their service capacity, but the lack of full regulation of the practice of telemedicine is one of the main obstacles to overcoming the current challenge in public health
The number of telemedicine consultations for cases of influenza and COVID-19 among Saúde Digital Brasil members has skyrocketed, jumping from 7,000 to 15,000 between Christmas and New Year's to 50,000 consultations in the first week of January, and continues to rise. According to Caio Soares, president of Saúde Digital Brasil, it is clear that this exponential growth is overloading the public and private healthcare system, especially those that provide initial care to patients, whether in person or remotely. However, telemedicine continues to be a viable and safe alternative to reduce queues at health centers, emergency rooms and hospitals, thus avoiding even greater difficulties in receiving care for patients.
The executive says that in an attempt to minimize this overload, Saúde Digital Brasil members and telemedicine service providers are increasing the number of doctors and healthcare professionals providing care. However, the lack of clear and comprehensive regulation for the practice of telemedicine is one of the major causes that challenge the containment of this overload. After all, without legal certainty, there is no technological investment or in the technical and specific training of professionals. “If we had regulated telehealth, we would certainly have more human capital, more investment and better responses to this current crisis,” emphasizes the specialist.
It is important to emphasize that telemedicine care is no different from in-person care, whether for answering questions, formalizing diagnoses, requesting tests, prescribing medications, issuing certificates, among others, with the advantage of being more accessible, practical and safe. After all, all these documents are traceable and tamper-proof, issued with a digital signature.
Avoiding crowds as much as possible, following hygiene precautions, wearing masks and getting vaccinated are mandatory recommendations at this time. In addition, seeing a doctor and getting tested whenever you have symptoms or come into contact with someone who is infected is also important for controlling and combating this new phase of extremely high case growth.
