RESUMO
Background:Although several reviews on the relation between telemedicine and health care outcomes have pointed out some evidence, they have also underscored the need for further investigation.Introduction:Brazil has a national telehealth program implemented in 2007, involving teleconsulting and distance education actions in primary care.Objective:This study aims to describe the implementation of telehealth in primary care in Brazil and to identify if there is an association between telehealth and quality of care.Methods:A cross-sectional study analyzing data from interviews with 29,778 primary care team professionals in Brazil in 2014, which represents 92.5% of existing health care teams, on aspects of information technology, telehealth, and care was carried out. A multiple binary regression analysis was performed to study the associations between the extent of health care actions and using telehealth.Results:Of the 24,055 primary care units in Brazil where teams worked, only 50.1% (n: 12,055) had internet access, and 32.71% of teams claimed to be involved in telehealth actions in 2014. Between 2012 and 2014 there was an expansion in the use of telehealth resources in all regions of Brazil. The highest magnitude was observed for the association between employment of telehealth and improvement in child care (odds ratio [OR] = 2.09), followed by diabetes mellitus care (OR = 1.91), hypertension (OR = 1.89), and finally, women's health (OR = 1.86).
Assuntos
Atenção Primária à Saúde , Qualidade da Assistência à Saúde , Telemedicina , Brasil , Saúde da Criança , Estudos Transversais , Bases de Dados Factuais , Educação a Distância , Feminino , Humanos , Gestão da Informação , Entrevistas como Assunto , Desenvolvimento de Programas , Análise de Regressão , Saúde da MulherRESUMO
Information and Communication Technologies (ICTs) are means to handle information, streamline communication, and contribute to patient care. This article describes the incorporation of Information and Communication Technologies in primary care and its association with quality, based on the Brazilian National Program for the Improvement of Access and Quality in Primary Care (PMAQ in portuguese). This was a cross-sectional study with 17,053 teams. An Index of Incorporation of ICTs was created, which included: information infrastructure, systems, and utilization. Regression analysis was used to assess associations. Only 13.5% of the teams had a high degree of ICTs. The strongest association was seen in the utilization of information. ICTs can contribute to improving quality of primary care.
Assuntos
Comunicação em Saúde/métodos , Informática Médica/organização & administração , Atenção Primária à Saúde/métodos , Melhoria de Qualidade/organização & administração , Qualidade da Assistência à Saúde , Tecnologia Biomédica , Brasil , Estudos Transversais , Humanos , Sistemas de Informação , InternetRESUMO
The use of information and communication technology (ICT) is on the increase in the health systems, representing a means of improving the quality of health care. This study analyzed the ICT incorporation in primary care in Brazil and identified the different aspects that may be associated with better quality in the care provided, in relation to certain aspects of women's care. We noted an unevenness regarding ICT incorporation in Brazil. However, the findings indicate an association between ICT and certain aspects of the quality provided in women's health care, which reinforces the need for further studies on this type of evaluation.
Assuntos
Comunicação , Tecnologia da Informação/estatística & dados numéricos , Atenção Primária à Saúde , Saúde da Mulher , Brasil , Feminino , HumanosRESUMO
Resumo: As Tecnologias de Informação e Comunicação (TIC) - meios para tratar informação e agilizar comunicação - contribuem para o cuidado. Este artigo descreve a incorporação de TIC na atenção básica e sua associação com a qualidade, utilizando Programa Nacional de Melhoria do Acesso e da Qualidade da Atenção Básica (PMAQ). É um estudo transversal. O universo englobou 17.053 equipes. Criou-se o Índice de Incorporação de Tecnologias de Informação e Comunicação (ITIC) englobando: infraestrutura, sistemas e utilização de informação. Para as associações, realizou-se análise de regressão. Somente 13,5% das equipes possuem grau alto de TIC. É na utilização da informação que se observou a maior força de associação. As TIC contribuem para a melhoria da qualidade da atenção básica.
Abstract: Information and Communication Technologies (ICTs) are means to handle information, streamline communication, and contribute to patient care. This article describes the incorporation of Information and Communication Technologies in primary care and its association with quality, based on the Brazilian National Program for the Improvement of Access and Quality in Primary Care (PMAQ in portuguese). This was a cross-sectional study with 17,053 teams. An Index of Incorporation of ICTs was created, which included: information infrastructure, systems, and utilization. Regression analysis was used to assess associations. Only 13.5% of the teams had a high degree of ICTs. The strongest association was seen in the utilization of information. ICTs can contribute to improving quality of primary care.
Resumen: Las Tecnologías de la Información y Comunicación (TIC), los medios para tratar información y agilizar la comunicación, contribuyen al cuidado de los pacientes. Este artículo describe la incorporación de las TIC en la atención básica y su asociación con la calidad, utilizando Programa Nacional para el Mejoramiento del Acceso y Calidad de Atención Primaria (PMAQ). Es un estudio transversal. El universo englobó a 17.053 equipos. Se creó el Índice de Incorporación de las Tecnologías de la Información y Comunicación (ITIC) englobando: infraestructura, sistemas y utilización de la información. Para las asociaciones, se realizó un análisis de regresión. Solamente un 13,5% de los equipos poseen un grado alto de TIC. Es en la utilización de la información donde se observó la mayor fuerza de asociación. Las TIC contribuyen a una mejora de la calidad de la atención primaria.