Atenção Primária à Saúde; Telemedicina; Telerregulação; Assistência ambulatorial; Rio Grande do Sul.
Abstract:
Introduction: in the primary health care (PHC) first-contact accessibility and comprehensiveness are strongly influenced by the coordination of care, which in turn receives a positive impactthe articulation of telehealth actions for teleregulation of care. Method: we created a teleregulation methodology (RegulaSUS Project) based on specific protocols firmly grounded in evidence. Based on datathe regulatory system and TelessaúdeRS we explored the effects of RegulaSUS on PHC and on access to specialized care. Result: the methodology was able to create comprehensive protocols, with a significant average reduction of 30% in the specialized query queue in 360 days. Reduced waiting time for medical clinical appointments (median 66 days) but not for surgical appointments. Waiting times for queued cases varied inversely, they increased for clinical and decreased for surgical specialities. The use of spontaneous telehealth consultations increased with the exposure of professionals to RegulaSUS. Conclusion: the intervention evidence potenciality in the integration of health systems, mainly among low and middle income countries, and makes telehealth to act as a meta-service, building efficient, qualified and equitable networks.
Keywords:
Primary Health Care; Telemedicine; Telerregulation; Ambulatory care; Rio Grande do Sul.
Access and regulation of specialized care in Rio Grande do Sul: The RegulaSUS strategyTelessaúdeRS-UFRGS.
Resumo (abstract):
Introduction: in the primary health care (PHC) first-contact accessibility and comprehensiveness are strongly influenced by the coordination of care, which in turn receives a positive impactthe articulation of telehealth actions for teleregulation of care. Method: we created a teleregulation methodology (RegulaSUS Project) based on specific protocols firmly grounded in evidence. Based on datathe regulatory system and TelessaúdeRS we explored the effects of RegulaSUS on PHC and on access to specialized care. Result: the methodology was able to create comprehensive protocols, with a significant average reduction of 30% in the specialized query queue in 360 days. Reduced waiting time for medical clinical appointments (median 66 days) but not for surgical appointments. Waiting times for queued cases varied inversely, they increased for clinical and decreased for surgical specialities. The use of spontaneous telehealth consultations increased with the exposure of professionals to RegulaSUS. Conclusion: the intervention evidence potenciality in the integration of health systems, mainly among low and middle income countries, and makes telehealth to act as a meta-service, building efficient, qualified and equitable networks.
Palavras-chave (keywords):
Primary Health Care; Telemedicine; Telerregulation; Ambulatory care; Rio Grande do Sul.