The structuring of Digital Health within the scope of Primary Health Care (PHC) in Brazil and the production of information for its development

Abstract

Introduction: Digital health has been advancing at a dizzying speed around the world, especially after the COVID-19 pandemic, with legislation driving its development. Objective: This article aims to analyze the development of digital health in the country within the scope of primary health care. Methodology: This article was structured considering some steps: (1) literature review; and (2) systematization of the development of digital health in the country. Results and discussion: It was evident that for the advancement of PHC in the scope of digital health, it is necessary: ​​knowledge about the technological structure existing in the UBS (Brazilian acronym for Unidade Básica de Saúde - Unified Health System) as well as the quality of the existing connectivity, including aspects of the mobile network; about information related to the effective use of the electronic medical record by the various professional categories and its relationship with the national health data network and with other points of care; and about data related to the effective use of telehealth, types of activities developed and type of telehealth service provider. Conclusion: Digital health in Brazil has been incorporated into PHC with the expansion of the technological structure, but there is still a long way to go with the definition of determinants and ongoing evaluation of its implementation.