Social challenges of telemedicine in Brazil: a literature review

Abstract

Introduction: telemedicine has been growing in Brazil, especially after the COVID-19 pandemic. However, the determining factors of digital exclusion are similar to those of social exclusion, raising the question of whether the neediest population would have access and the possibility of being served by Telemedicine. Objective: review the literature on the applicability of Telemedicine in Brazil during the COVID-19 pandemic and the social challenges for its effective implementation were reviewed. Methods: this is a review of the literature. Searches were conducted in the Scientific Electronic Library Online (SciELO) and Google Scholar, including scientific articles in English or Portuguese, between the years 2000 and 2021. The search terms were telemedicine, telemedicine in Brazil, telemedicine in the world, pandemic, social challenges in Brazil, internet in Brazil. Results: telemedicine in Brazil was a great ally in care during the COVID-19 pandemic. However, its use was precarious, since in places where there were difficulties in accessing health care, there were also problems with internet access and the availability of devices compatible with this new technology. In addition, a lack of instruction on the part of patients on how to use the technologies was identified. Conclusion: in order for access to health care to be effective and equal for Brazilians, as guaranteed by the 1988 Constitution, it is necessary, in addition to evolving in technological aspects, to combat the country's social issues.