The Brazilian telehealth systems: a scoping review

Abstract Purpose This study sought to answer the research question “What are the characteristics of telehealth systems already implemented in Brazil?”. Methods A comprehensive electronic search was conducted in eight databases (Embase, LILACS, PubMed/MEDLINE, Scopus, Web of Science, the ACM Digital Library, Engineering Village, and the IEEE Digital Library) on June 7, 2023. Additionally, we explored gray literature using Google Scholar and ProQuest Dissertations & Theses Global. The inclusion criteria encompassed studies detailing the characteristics of various telehealth systems implemented in Brazil, regardless of the system type, purpose, or medical conditions addressed. The methodological quality of each study was assessed using the JBI checklists. Results The search yielded 60 relevant studies, of which 44 examined public telehealth systems, and seven focused on private systems. Regarding communication functionality, nearly half (46.7%) incorporated both synchronous and asynchronous features, and the proportions of studies investigating exclusively synchronous or asynchronous systems were fairly similar (23.3% and 16.7%, respectively). None of the studies attained complete methodological quality. Conclusion This review successfully identified and mapped 35 telehealth systems implemented across Brazil, predominantly in Minas Gerais and Rio Grande do Sul States, and revealed that most systems were part of the public sector and offered a mix of synchronous and asynchronous communication functionalities. Future research should delve into the intricacies and specificities of Brazilian telehealth systems and develop comprehensive tools and data for their evaluation.