Eighteen years in two days

the next steps for remote consultation in Brazil

Abstract

This is an opinion article that aims to support the Disease caused by the New Coronavirus of 2019 (COVID-19) post-pandemic regarding the regulation of care through digital resources. Through a literature review, an attempt was made to conceptualize remote consultation and to survey both the historical evolution of technological appropriation by health and the regulation on the subject. Texts covering the pre-pandemic and pandemic periods in Brazil, the United States, the European Union and Australia were evaluated. We tried to highlight the main fallacies, sophisms and dissensions that orbit the theme, as well as the real points where there is a need for greater commitment for decision makers: data security and privacy, reimbursement parity and interstate licensing. It is concluded that the technological appropriation by health has divided the world into at least three segments: those that maintained the autonomy of professionals and patients; those who retarded technological advancement through bureaucracy; and those who forbade advances. The pandemic has generated positive reallocations among these groups and there is a need to refine progress and avoid setbacks.