Telefisioterapia no Sistema Único de Saúde: uma experiência no Centro-Oeste brasileiro
Abstract
This study describes the implementation of telerehabilitation in the Brazilian Unified Health System (SUS) in a Midwestern municipality, characterizing the profile of users referred by Primary Health Care, musculoskeletal demands, and clinical outcomes of remote care. This is an observational, descriptive, and quantitative study with a cross-sectional and retrospective design, based on secondary data from April 2024 to April 2025. The sample included 202 patients, mostly women (71.8%), with a mean age of 53.4 years and predominant complaints in the lumbar spine and knees. A total of 619 appointments were scheduled, with 56.2% attendance, 32.1% absences, and 11.6% cancellations. Regarding outcomes, 69.3% discontinued treatment, 21.3% were referred for in-person care, and 9.4% were discharged. Physicians and nurses were the main referrers. An impact on resolvability was observed, with 16.2% of requests canceled or updated in the regulation system. Telerehabilitation proved to be a feasible strategy to expand access and improve quality of care in the SUS.
Fields of Study & Subjects
Telemedicine and Telehealth Implementation
Health Education and Validation
Women's cancer prevention and management
Publication details
- Journal / source
- Ciência & Saúde Coletiva
- Publisher
- FapUNIFESP (SciELO)
- Volume
- 31
- Issue
- 5
- Pages
- e00262026–e00262026
- Publication date
- 1 January 2026
- Language
- PT