Telemedicine in the Family Health Strategy: an assessment of applicability in the context of PET Project

Abstract Introduction: web and teleconferencing tools to increase the resolution of Primary Care Health (PHC) are valuable tools in conjunction with secondary care. Objective: To evaluate the second formative opinion by web and teleconference in PHC and secondary health center among members of the PET-Health. Method: We performed a cross-sectional study including eight Family Health teams, connected by telehealth tools to a center of secondary health care, attached to a higher education institution, where a cardiologist and an allergist acted as medical consultants. Result: We generated 103 consultancies - 44 in cardiology and 59 in respiratory and skin allergy. It was found that the assisted age was higher in the second opinion of Cardiology; men prevailed in cardiology and women in allergy. In PHC, we found great or good resolving in 75% of the cases. In cardiology application and interpretation uncertainty of additional tests/driving treatment accounted for 75% of cases. In allergy, the diagnosis uncertainty accounted for 90% of them. The main diagnostics in cardiology were hypertension, congestive heart failure and sinus arrhythmia. In allergy they were asthma and atopic dermatitis. Conclusion: The study reveals potential and relevance of telemedicine training, assistance and research in the SUS.