RESUMEN
BACKGROUND: Although a great number of teleconsultation services have been developed during the COVID-19 pandemic, studies assessing usability and health care provider satisfaction are still incipient. OBJECTIVE: This study aimed to describe the development, implementation, and expansion of a synchronous teleconsultation service targeting patients with symptoms of COVID-19 in Brazil, as well as to assess its usability and health care professionals' satisfaction. METHODS: This mixed methods study was developed in 5 phases: (1) the identification of components, technical and functional requirements, and system architecture; (2) system and user interface development and validation; (3) pilot-testing in the city of Divinópolis; (4) expansion in the cities of Divinópolis, Teófilo Otoni, and Belo Horizonte for Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais faculty and students; and (5) usability and satisfaction assessment, using Likert-scale and open-ended questions. RESULTS: During pilot development, problems contacting users were solved by introducing standardized SMS text messages, which were sent to users to obtain their feedback and keep track of them. Until April 2022, the expanded system served 31,966 patients in 146,158 teleconsultations. Teleconsultations were initiated through chatbot in 27.7% (40,486/146,158) of cases. Teleconsultation efficiency per city was 93.7% (13,317/14,212) in Teófilo Otoni, 92.4% (11,747/12,713) in Divinópolis, and 98.8% (4981/5041) in Belo Horizonte (university campus), thus avoiding in-person assistance for a great majority of patients. In total, 50 (83%) out of 60 health care professionals assessed the system's usability as satisfactory, despite a few system instability problems. CONCLUSIONS: The system provided updated information about COVID-19 and enabled remote care for thousands of patients, which evidenced the critical role of telemedicine in expanding emergency services capacity during the pandemic. The dynamic nature of the current pandemic required fast planning, implementation, development, and updates in the system. Usability and satisfaction assessment was key to identifying areas for improvement. The experience reported here is expected to inform telemedicine strategies to be implemented in a postpandemic scenario.
RESUMEN
Introdução: A adolescência corresponde a um período marcado por intensa transformação. Assim, torna-se fundamental que o adolescente expresse suas dúvidas, inseguranças e angústias. A Medicina do Adolescente (MA) como disciplina do curso médico capacita o aluno a prestar um acompanhamento integral do paciente, desenvolvendo habilidades como a escuta e o acolhimento. Objetivos: Avaliar a disciplina Medicina do Adolescente, seu caráter interdisciplinar e seu impacto na formação médica dos estudantes da graduação e pós-graduação, além de relatar uma experiência diferenciada de ensino e aprendizado. Métodos: Foram distribuídos questionários a duas turmas matriculadas na disciplina MA da Faculdade de Medicina da UFMG em 2006, além de especializandos na área da adolescência. As respostas foram analisadas e apresentadas na forma de um texto dissertativo. Resultados: Todos os alunos consideraram a Medicina do Adolescente relevante em sua formação acadêmica. Conclusões: A participação do aluno da graduação de medicina em um grupo interdisciplinar possibilita o desenvolvimento de habilidades essenciais para um atendimento integral do paciente.
Introduction: Adolescence corresponds to a period marked by important changes. In this context of such important changes, it becomes essential that the adolescent expresses his doubts, insecurities and anxieties. Adolescent Medicine (AM), as a subject of the medical course, enables the student to provide comprehensive care to the patient, developing abilities such as listening and welcoming. Objectives: To evaluate the subject AM, its interdisciplinary character and its impact on undergraduate andgraduate students medical education, and report a distinctive experiment on teaching and learning. Methods: Questionnaires were distributed to two classes enrolled in the subject Adolescent Medicine, held by the School of Medicine at UFMG, in 2006, and also to professionals specializing in the field of adolescence. The answers were analyzed and presented as a dissertation. Results: All students considered Adolescent Medicine relevant to their scholarly education. Conclusions: Considering the adolescent patients characteristics and the positive impact of well-directed care at this stage of life, the participation of an undergraduate student in an interdisciplinary group provides the development of essential skills to thorough patient care.