0075/2025 - Eighteen Years of TelessaúdeRS in Brazilian Primary Health Care: Main Actions and Achieved Results
Dezoito anos de TelessaúdeRS na APS brasileira: principais ações e resultados alcançados
Publicado
Author:
• Erno Hazrheim - Hazrheim, E. - <eharzheim@hcpa.edu.br>ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-8919-7916
Co-author(s):
• Dimitris V. Rados - Rados, D.V - <dvarvaki@gmail.com>ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0003-0819-5343
• Natan Katz - Katz, N. - <nkatz@hcpa.edu.br>
ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-0659-7747
• Rudi Roman - Roman, R. - <rudiroman@gmail.com>
ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-2663-4314
• Juliana Pfeil - Pfeil, J. - <juliana.pfeil@telessauders.org.br>
ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-0677-0386
• Elise Botteselle de Oliveira - Oliveira, E.B - <elisebot@gmail.com>
ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0001-9552-3282
• Rodolfo Souza da Silva - da Silva, R.S - <rodolfo.silva@telessauders.org.br>
ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0001-6848-3385
• Roberto Nunes Umpierre - Umpierre, R.N - <rnumpierre@gmail.com>
ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0001-9841-5543
Abstract:
Introduction: TelessaúdeRS was created 18 years ago to improve people's health. This article presents its main results.Objective: To summarize and present the main outcomes of TelessaúdeRS.
Methods: Program actions, publications, and databasesthe past 18 years were reviewed to numerically express the program’s production and impact.
Results: Linked to UFRGS and HCPA, the project started with asynchronous text-based teleconsultations and evolved to synchronous and phone consultations, increasing access and efficiency. Additionally, it supported the regulation of referrals to specialized care in Rio Grande do Sul, with more than 500,000 discussions. The project also developed remote diagnostic services in spirometry, ophthalmology, dermatology, and stomatology, performing 700,000 telediagnostics and improving healthcare access. Furthermore, it supports the judiciary by applying evidence-based medicine to legal claims.
Conclusions: Over 18 years, TelessaúdeRS has achieved its initial goals, expanded its scope, filled care gaps, supported primary care, and improved the healthcare system’s efficiency.
