TELEHEALTH IN THE PREGNANCY-PUERPERAL PERIOD: COMPLEMENTARY HEALTH STRATEGY IN A PANDEMIC SCENARIO

• Published in: Texto & contexto enfermagem 2022, Vol.31
• Main Authors: Couto, Telmara Menezes, Oliveira, Patricia Santos de, Santana, Ariane Teixeira de, Moreira, Railana da Silva, Meira, Virna Silva
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: NURSING
• ISSN: 0104-0707; 1980-265X; 1980-265X
• DOI: 10.1590/1980-265x-tce-2021-0190

ABSTRACT Objective: to reflect on the use of Telehealth in the context of the COVID-19 pandemic for women in the pregnancy-puerperal period. Method: this is a reflection based on the literature with an approach on Telehealth as a tool for virtual health care in the pandemic context. Therefore, this reflection addresses the use of Telehealth, showing the particularities of adopting remote appointments, with their applicability and limitations, considering the socioeconomic and racial aspects that are intrinsically associated with public health issues. Results: Telehealth is a tool for coping with COVID-19, as it minimizes the exposure of pregnant and puerperal women during consultations in the health units. In Brazil, it is observed that this strategy is still incipient. This is intensified as we relate the socioeconomic and racial issues to the maternal mortality rates, especially among black- and brown-skinned women. Conclusion: this reflection shows that Telehealth is an important care strategy for women in the pregnancy-puerperal period and, in this perspective, it needs to have its viability recognized and valued so that public policies are created that guarantee access to the digital resources, in addition to the need for investments in training of the professionals and deepening of this theme by the academic community. Such initiatives will promote expanded access to virtual care for women, in addition to the socioeconomic and racial issues. RESUMEN Objetivo: reflexionar sobre la utilización de la telesalud en el contexto de la pandemia de COVID-19 para mujeres que transitan el período grávido puerperal. Método: reflexión basada en la literatura con enfoque sobre la telesalud como herramienta para la atención virtual de la salud en el contexto de la pandemia. Para ello, aborda el uso de la telesalud y demuestra las particularidades de la adopción de la atención remota, su aplicabilidad y sus limitaciones, considerando los aspectos socioeconómicos y raciales intrínsecamente asociados a la salud pública. Resultados: la telesalud es una herramienta para el afrontamiento del COVID-19, dado que minimiza la exposición de embarazadas y puérperas en consultas en los centros de salud. En Brasil, se observa que esta estrategia es aún incipiente. Esto se intensifica a medida que se relacionan las cuestiones socioeconómicas y raciales con las tasas de mortalidad materna, especialmente entre las mujeres negras y morenas. Conclusión: esta reflexión demuestra que l