Maria do Carmo Barros de Melo1,2, Marilene Vinhal Nunes1, Raiana Figueiredo Resende1, Raissa Resende Figueiredo1, Sandra Silva Mitraud Ruas3, Alaneir de Fátima Dos Santos1,4, Humberto José Alves1,5, Raphael Augusto Teixeira de Aguiar1,4. 1. 1 Telehealth Nucleus, School of Medicine, Federal University of Minas Gerais , Belo Horizonte, (Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais), Brazil . 2. 3 Department of Pediatrics, School of Medicine, Federal University of Minas Gerais , (Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais), Belo Horizonte, Brazil . 3. 2 Department of Information Technology, Health Secretariat of Belo Horizonte, Belo Horizonte, Brazil . 4. 4 Department of Preventive and Social Medicine, School of Medicine, Federal University of Minas Gerais , (Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais), Belo Horizonte, Brazil . 5. 5 Department of Anatomy and Imaging, School of Medicine, Federal University of Minas Gerais , (Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais), Belo Horizonte, Brazil .
Abstract
INTRODUCTION: The Belo Horizonte Telehealth program, a pioneer in telemedicine within the Brazilian National Health System (Sistema Único de Sauùde in Portuguese), was implemented by the Belo Horizonte City Health Department (SMSA-BH) in 2004. The purpose of the present study is to analyze opinions on the obstacles, difficulties, and suggestions on the use of teleconsultations. METHODS: Semi-structured interviews were conducted among primary healthcare professionals and health managers. Content analysis for the latter was carried out using NVIVO® software to categorize responses. Simple descriptive quantitative aspects were analyzed to verify the use of the system over the years by the primary care unit (PCU) professionals. RESULTS: The difficulties encountered were related to the use of the system, inadequate response to teleconsultation requests, infrastructure problems, lack of practicality for the use of the program, difficulty in incorporating the program into the organizational culture, and lack of managerial support. Changes in management organization over the years have interfered with the use of the teleconsultation system. The most requested specialties were neurology, cardiology, endocrinology, and angiology. DISCUSSION: The main suggestions for increasing the number of teleconsultations requests included dissemination of information and prioritization by the management; improvement of the infrastructure; organization of the time and the agenda of the PCU professional; training the professionals for its use; and preconditioning the referrals to secondary level care to a previous teleconsultation. CONCLUSION: Teleconsultations need to be incorporated in the daily routine of PCUs by both managers and health professionals to assure its usage and improve the quality of care.
INTRODUCTION: The Belo Horizonte Telehealth program, a pioneer in telemedicine within the Brazilian National Health System (Sistema Único de Sauùde in Portuguese), was implemented by the Belo Horizonte City Health Department (SMSA-BH) in 2004. The purpose of the present study is to analyze opinions on the obstacles, difficulties, and suggestions on the use of teleconsultations. METHODS: Semi-structured interviews were conducted among primary healthcare professionals and health managers. Content analysis for the latter was carried out using NVIVO® software to categorize responses. Simple descriptive quantitative aspects were analyzed to verify the use of the system over the years by the primary care unit (PCU) professionals. RESULTS: The difficulties encountered were related to the use of the system, inadequate response to teleconsultation requests, infrastructure problems, lack of practicality for the use of the program, difficulty in incorporating the program into the organizational culture, and lack of managerial support. Changes in management organization over the years have interfered with the use of the teleconsultation system. The most requested specialties were neurology, cardiology, endocrinology, and angiology. DISCUSSION: The main suggestions for increasing the number of teleconsultations requests included dissemination of information and prioritization by the management; improvement of the infrastructure; organization of the time and the agenda of the PCU professional; training the professionals for its use; and preconditioning the referrals to secondary level care to a previous teleconsultation. CONCLUSION: Teleconsultations need to be incorporated in the daily routine of PCUs by both managers and health professionals to assure its usage and improve the quality of care.
Keywords:
medical records; telehealth; telemedicine
Authors: Rafaela Santana Celes; Thaís Regis Aranha Rossi; Sandra Garrido de Barros; Carla Maria Lima Santos; Carla Cardoso Journal: Rev Panam Salud Publica Date: 2018-08-10
Authors: Julia E von Oettingen; Meghan Craven; Regina Duperval; Florence Sine St Surin; Ronald Eveillard; Rony Saint Fleur; Guy Van Vliet; Jean-Pierre Chanoine; Renault Louis Journal: Front Public Health Date: 2019-09-25