An updated view of the process of incorporating technologies into Brazil’s Primary Health Care Network

Abstract

Introduction: The process of incorporation of information technologies in Brazil in general is still short of developed countries. In the health area, several institutional initiatives are underway. Method: Descriptive study, which analyzed data on the incorporation of information technologies in 37,894 Primary Care Teams and 28,939 health units in 5,320 Brazilian municipalities that provided primary care services in 2017. Variables related to connectivity were analyzed. , electronic medical records and telehealth, and systematize the reasons why these resources are not used. Result and discussion: It was observed that 74% of health units have internet and 10.7% of units do not have computers. In units that have a computer, an average of 5.52 computers was observed. It was found that 38.1% of family health teams have electronic medical records and 53.8% use telehealth resources. As for non-use issues, infrastructure, connectivity and lack of time or opportunity to use were mentioned, corresponding to 20.7%, 26% and 11.2% respectively. There is still a long way to go for the process of incorporation of information technologies in PHC in Brazil. Conclusion: In Primary Care, it was observed that there is still a significant number of health facilities that have not yet incorporated information technology resources. However, the process is advancing with nearly forty percent of teams already using electronic medical records and telehealth resources.