Revolutionizing pediatric neurology care: telemedicine advancements and regulatory impact in the Northeast of Brazil

Abstract

Background Telemedicine, a patient-centered approach that leverages technology, has emerged as a cost-effective solution to provide comprehensive medical services for acute and chronic conditions.

Objective We aim to document the experiences of pediatric neurologists using teleconsultations within the TeleNortheast program, a specialized medical assistance initiative in the Northeast of Brazil.

Methods A retrospective analysis of teleconsultations was conducted from January to October 2023. Data from 546 teleconsultations, involving 506 pediatric patients, were extracted from medical records. Consultations were conducted between pediatric neurologists in São Paulo and primary care professionals in Sergipe. The analysis included patients' demographics, diagnoses, and outcomes.

Results Of the 506 teleconsultation patients seen, 89% continued treatment within their primary care settings without needing in-person referrals. Discharge was observed in 9.5% of cases, and only 1.4% required specialized in-person care. The most frequent diagnosis was autism spectrum disorder (19.1%), followed by epilepsy (7.1%), attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (6.7%), and intellectual disability (5.9%). A cost-saving analysis indicated that teleconsultations avoided significant transportation costs, which could reach up to R$ 21 thousand for travel and feeding expenses.

Conclusion The results highlight the effectiveness of teleconsultations in improving access to pediatric neurological care in underserved regions, reducing the need for in-person counseling, with the potential to provide significant cost savings for the public health system. The TeleNortheast program demonstrates the potential of this approach to bridge healthcare gaps, particularly in regions with limited access to specialized care.

Keywords

Telemedicine - Public Health Systems - Neurology - Child

Authors' Contributions

Conceptualization: DLGR, MVSM, FSH; Data curation: DLGR, MAF, AM, VSGS, AFMAS; Investigation: MAF, MVSM; Methodology: DLGR, MVSM, FP; Software: FP; Validation: MVSM, FP, AM; Supervision: DLGR, MAF, NCS, APMP; Project administration: MAM, VSGS, AFMAS; Writing - original draft: DLGR, MAF, MVSM, MAM, DMSS, FSH; Writing - review & editing: DLGR, MVSM, MAM, FP, AM, VSGS, AFMAS, EDCF.

Data Statement Availability

Full access to all the data can be requested at any time. All authors have the right to publish all data from this research.

Editor-in-Chief: Hélio A. G. Teive.

Associate Editor: Clécio Godeiro-Junior.

Publication History

Received: 21 March 2024

Accepted: 17 December 2024

Article published online:
22 April 2025

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