Possible paths in the organization of a telemonitoring strategy in Basic Health Units during the COVID-19 pandemicABSTRACT
The objective of the study was to understand how the organization of telemonitoring for individuals with respiratory symptoms occurred in primary care during the context of the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020. In this qualitative research of the case study type, 12 nurses and manager working in health units in a medium-sized municipality in the interior of Paraná were interviewed. Different researchers analyzed the material using hermeneutics as the theoretical framework. The results identified various modes of organization for telemonitoring arrangements involving different professionals. In general, this technology was perceived as an ally by the professionals, adopted and incorporated into the daily work in primary health care, and identified as a communication facilitator with the public. However, the absence of equipment, infrastructure, and adequate training strategies are barriers preventing this technology from becoming another burden in the primary care work process.
KEYWORDS
Access to primary care; Telemonitoring; Pandemic preparedness; Information technology.