Medindo o invisível: Objetivo De Desenvolvimento Sustentável (ODS 3) da Agenda 2030 e a Saúde Digital em tempos de pandemia

Abstract

The pandemic of the new coronavirus (SARS-CoV-2) has highlighted the importance of timely and accurate information as an operational tool for decision making for short, medium, and long-term health needs. The dynamic scenario of great risk to the population caused by the new coronavirus has demanded strong responses from the entire public system, especially from the SUS. Therefore, strategic initiatives, such as Digital Health, were driven to prioritize actions to be in full alignment with the national needs to combat the virus. Given this, this research aimed to understand the perception of social actors regarding their situation in relation to digital health and the means used, as well as the emotions generated during the course of the new coronavirus pandemic, contributing to the achievement of the goals of ODS 3 (Health and well-being). This research is a single case study, carried out with residents of Parauapebas-PA who use health services, and who were initially included by means of pre-established criteria. The type of study applied was the bibliographic research aligned, later, to an extension field work, with the use of a semi-structured questionnaire as Data Collection Instruments (DCI). The research approach is qualiquanti, and the analysis of the data was mostly qualitative. The methodological procedure was based on the subjective application of a questionnaire survey entitled Dgit2Demic (2020/2021) (ALMEIDA et al., 2021), using the human perception "Likert" scale. The questionnaire was applied to the social group between November and December of the year 2021. The survey had 204 participants, but the answers of only 184 subjects were validated, that is, ensuring 90% consistency with the object of study. Results revealed that 51% of the subjects are male, 33% are between 26 and 35 years old, and 36% have completed college education. In general terms, the respondents believe that the driving factor for the digital health era in Brazil was the social isolation caused by the pandemic. They have confidence in telemedicine as an access to medical care, and in some cases they even prefer to be seen using digital tools, such as web conferencing and/or WhatsApp. However, it was also observed the concern of the subjects with the wrong use of digital tools, which can cause misinformation to the population, especially when there is wide dissemination of information about health and the pandemic, thus strengthening the so-called "infodemic". Given this, we conclude that technology is a great ally and that telehealth, on the rise at present. During the peak of the pandemic crisis in Brazil, in some cases, this method was the only alternative. Therefore, telemedicine improves access, patient experience, adherence to care, and thus the overall health outcome. Encouraging and promoting the use of digital technology in the service of health meets the goals proposed by ODS 3, especially the presumed 3.8 that aims at universal health coverage.