INOVAÇÃO TECNOLÓGICA NA SAÚDE: REDE UNIVERSITÁRIA DE TELEMEDICINA RUTE, PELOTAS, RS

Abstract

This paper describes the implementation of a university network of telemedicine UNT, in three Basic Health Units and at the Federal University of Pelotas/RS Hospital School. It is about a case study, analyzed through quantitative and qualitative approaches. The sample was intentional and involved the Social Medicine and the Medical Clinic Departments, besides preceptor and resident doctors located at the Social Medicine Department, and doctors of dermatology, rheumatology, traumatology/orthopedics and neurology areas. Between April and November 2009, 50 teleappointments were made, totalizing 73 cases of assisted patients, involving 908 academic participations, besides the accomplishment of 22 videoconferences. The network made it possible to verify the infrastructure of communication and information services improves the communication between basic assistance and other levels of assistance of the Health System, integrating professionals and services. The study also showed this resource is a strong potentializing tool of health integrality principle, as well as stimulating to learning and research actions. The expansion of this network to other Basic Health Units of the city may help assistance resolubility, decreasing the accumulation of appointments with specialized assistance. Professional updating will also be benefited through telemedicine, and actions may result in the exchanging of innovative experiences and exchange among different professional staffs, contributing to services quality improvement. The benefits of telemedicine may be expanded and consolidated in the perspective of the development of a project between educational institutions and health managers