Telehealth based on the Universal Declaration on Bioethics and Human Rights – grants for universality of health

Abstract

Aim: analyzing the practices developed on telehealth, based on the Universal Declaration on Bioethics and Human Rights, according to the perception of Pernambuco Federal University Telehealth State Center professionals, component of Ministry of Health Brazil Telehealth Networks Program. Methods: this is a descriptive and exploratory study, with a cross-sectional design. The research carried out with a survey answered by 16 professionals from teleconsultation and 14 from tele-education. The data analysis includes descriptive statistics techniques for the quantitative data and content analysis for qualitative data. Results: complicator and facilitator factors that influenced the actions were pointed out and a discrepancy concerning the interaction between professionals because it was considered sometimes as an advantage and sometimes a disadvantage. The attended declaration principles were: equality, justice and equity, non-discrimination and non-stigmatization, respect for human vulnerability and personal integrity, sharing of benefits. The remaining principles need actions in order to attend them fully and to guarantee respect for human dignity and human rights. Conclusion: new researches are required to know the progress of the other telehealth state centers, providing subsidies to the program management, to continue the undertaking of actions that guarantee the health care universality.