0027/2026 - Teleinterconsulta como estratégia de apoio à vigilância da incapacidade física em hanseníase no estado do Maranhão Teleinterconsultation as a strategy to support surveillance of physical disability in leprosy in the state of Maranhão
Este estudo teve como objetivo analisar a implementação da teleinterconsulta como estratégia de apoio à confirmação do Grau 2 de Incapacidade Física (GIF 2) em pessoas diagnosticadas com hanseníase no estado do Maranhão. Trata-se de um estudo transversal analítico, desenvolvido entre março de 2023 e março de 2025, vinculado à Secretaria de Estado da Saúde do Maranhão (SES-MA), em parceria com o Núcleo de Telessaúde da Universidade Federal do Maranhão (NTS-UFMA). Foram incluídos todos os casos novos de hanseníase com registro de GIF 2 no momento do diagnóstico. Ao todo, 77 atendimentos foram analisados, sendo 47 realizados de forma presencial e 30 por teleinterconsulta. A avaliação por teleinterconsulta ampliou a cobertura nas macrorregiões Sul e Leste do estado. O tempo entre o diagnóstico e a confirmação do GIF 2 foi semelhante entre os grupos, sem diferença significativa. Estimou-se uma economia de até R$ 338,39 por teleinterconsulta. A adoção dessa estratégia se mostrou viável e custo-efetiva, com potencial para expandir a vigilância de GIF 2 em hanseníase mesmo em locais com pouco acesso a serviços especializados.
Palavras-chave:
Hanseníase; Incapacidade; Atenção Primária à Saúde; Telessaúde; Consulta Remota
Abstract:
This study aimed to analyze the implementation of teleinterconsultation as a support strategy for the evaluation of Grade 2 Physical Disability (G2D) in individuals diagnosed with leprosy in the state of Maranhão, Brazil. This was a cross-sectional analytical study conducted between March 2023 and March 2025, coordinated by the Maranhão State Health Department (SES-MA) in partnership with the Telehealth Center of the Federal University of Maranhão (NTS-UFMA). All new leprosy cases with G2D recorded at the time of diagnosis were included. A total of 77 evaluations were analyzed, with 47 performed in person and 30 via teleinterconsultation. The remote assessments expanded coverage in the southern and eastern health macroregions of the state. There was no significant difference in the time between diagnosis and evaluation across groups. An estimated cost saving of up to R$ 338.39 per teleinterconsultation was observed. The adoption of this strategy proved to be feasible and cost-effective, with the potential to strengthen G2D surveillance in leprosy, particularly in settings with geographic barriers and limited access to specialized services.
Keywords:
Leprosy; Disability; Primary Health Care; Telehealth; Remote Consultation
Teleinterconsultation as a strategy to support surveillance of physical disability in leprosy in the state of Maranhão
Resumo (abstract):
This study aimed to analyze the implementation of teleinterconsultation as a support strategy for the evaluation of Grade 2 Physical Disability (G2D) in individuals diagnosed with leprosy in the state of Maranhão, Brazil. This was a cross-sectional analytical study conducted between March 2023 and March 2025, coordinated by the Maranhão State Health Department (SES-MA) in partnership with the Telehealth Center of the Federal University of Maranhão (NTS-UFMA). All new leprosy cases with G2D recorded at the time of diagnosis were included. A total of 77 evaluations were analyzed, with 47 performed in person and 30 via teleinterconsultation. The remote assessments expanded coverage in the southern and eastern health macroregions of the state. There was no significant difference in the time between diagnosis and evaluation across groups. An estimated cost saving of up to R$ 338.39 per teleinterconsultation was observed. The adoption of this strategy proved to be feasible and cost-effective, with the potential to strengthen G2D surveillance in leprosy, particularly in settings with geographic barriers and limited access to specialized services.
Palavras-chave (keywords):
Leprosy; Disability; Primary Health Care; Telehealth; Remote Consultation
Neves, ACFB, Matos, SOV, Pereira, VF, Salgado, MM, Azevedo Neto, CAA, Lopes, JMS, Moreira, GS, Santos, DNV. Teleinterconsulta como estratégia de apoio à vigilância da incapacidade física em hanseníase no estado do Maranhão. Cien Saude Colet [periódico na internet] (2026/jan). [Citado em 14/08/2026].
Está disponível em: http://cienciaesaudecoletiva.com.br/artigos/teleinterconsulta-como-estrategia-de-apoio-a-vigilancia-da-incapacidade-fisica-em-hanseniase-no-estado-do-maranhao/19925?id=19925
