Primary care physicians perception on the use and regulation of telemedicine

Abstract

Introduction: Telemedicine is increasingly present in the reality of the physician that works with Primary Health Care (PHC), enabling greater solvability, with diagnosis, treatment and more skillful monitoring. However, there are still wide divergencies in the medical area regarding the use of certain tools. The Federal Council of Medicine tried in 2019, through an ordinance, to regulate telemedicine practices in Brazil, but this ordinance was revoked and is now under discussion. Goals: to describe the perception of PHC physicians about Telemedicine and the attempt of regulation by the Federal Council of Medicine. Methodology: This is a descriptive, exploratory, quantitative, cross-sectional and observational study. The study was conducted with PHC doctors from the cities of Aparecida de Goiânia and Anápolis (Goiás). All 130 doctors who work with PHC in these cities were invited to take part. Data were collected by conducting a structured questionnaire with closed and open questions. The Chi-squared test was used to verify the connection between categorical Variables, such as sociodemographic and academic data with aspects of telemedicine, telehealth and legal questions. Results / discussion: 71 physicians were evaluated, of whom 63.4% did not read the Federal Council of Medicine 2,227 / 2018 resolution and 64.8% know some tools of telemedicine; 74.6% believe that the consultancy system can reduce the number of referrals and 70.4% consider it reliable; Resident physicians of Family Medicine are the ones who know and use teleconsultation best. Conclusion: Although most respondents acknowledge the importance of telemedicine and telehealth, many were unaware of the resources at their disposal and claimed that they were not trained to use them. Therefore, medical courses and services that promote continuing educational activities are expected to address the topic of telemedicine more satisfactorily. Investing in specialization in Family Medicine and structural issues can also be an alternative to increase the accession of physicians to innovations offered to PHC.