O telessaúde na atenção primária à saúde: uma revisão de literatura

Abstract

Telehealth has become a reference in the Brazilian Unified Health System (SUS), providing faster and more comprehensive care. It is an essential tool for online consultations, particularly for residents of remote areas with limited access to healthcare services, as well as for professional training. This study aims to analyze the challenges, benefits, and evolution of telehealth in the SUS through a literature review. It is a descriptive study with a qualitative approach, investigating and analyzing the scientific production on the topic. The research was conducted in the Virtual Health Library (BVS), considering articles published between 2011 and 2024. A total of 2,295 studies were identified, of which 38 were selected for detailed analysis. The results indicate that telehealth significantly contributes to expanding healthcare access, reducing costs, and optimizing services by decreasing waiting times and improving case resolution. Furthermore, it enables personalized follow-up through resources such as telemonitoring, teleconsultation, telediagnosis, and tele-education, enhancing treatment adherence, reducing disease complications, and strengthening the connection between patients and healthcare professionals. However, challenges such as inadequate infrastructure, resistance from professionals, and inequalities in access to Information and Communication Technologies (ICTs) still hinder its effective implementation. It is concluded that, to enhance the benefits of telehealth, it is essential to strengthen public policies, train healthcare teams, and expand access to ICTs. This will help reduce waiting times and promote greater equity in healthcare delivery.