Technology enhanced integration of hospital and primary care in the M'boi Mirim neighborhood of Sao Paulo city

Abstract

Lack of coordination between primary and secondary care can have adverse effects for patients.[4] Our research project consists of a multi-strategy intervention to connect the healthcare professionals of one hospital and 18 primary care units (PCUs) in the southern neighborhood of M'boi Mirim, in the city of Sao Paulo, Brazil. The focus of this paper is a privacy-oriented and feature-rich online collaboration network, set up for professionals to provide more continuous care to patients as they cycle between PCUs and hospital care. Besides the network, a capacity building online course is being offered and a telemedicine service made available. Results will follow from outcomes of patients with conditions sensitive to primary care, from gains in efficiency of procedures, and from exchange patterns between professionals plus their overall condition at work.