Implementation of the e-SUS Primary Care Strategy: an analysis based on official data.

Area of Science:

• Public Health
• Health Informatics
• Information Systems in Healthcare

Background:

• The e-SUS Atenção Básica (e-SUS Primary Care) strategy is a key initiative for modernizing Brazil's primary healthcare information systems.
• Understanding the implementation progress and challenges of e-SUS AB is crucial for improving healthcare delivery and data management nationwide.

Purpose of the Study:

• To analyze the implementation status and progress of the e-SUS Atenção Básica (e-SUS Primary Care) strategy in Brazilian municipalities between 2013 and 2019.
• To investigate potential influences of municipality type on the degree of e-SUS AB implementation.

Main Methods:

• Quantitative, descriptive, and exploratory study utilizing official Ministry of Health data from April 2013 to December 2019.
• Municipalities were categorized based on e-SUS AB implementation levels: 'not implemented', 'initial implementation', 'partial implementation', and 'implemented'.
• Descriptive analyses and association investigations were performed between implementation degrees and IBGE municipality typologies (rural/urban).

Main Results:

• Implementation of e-SUS AB demonstrated an increasing trend from 2013 to 2019.
• In 2019, 20.2% of municipalities were 'implemented', 32.9% 'partially implemented', 39.1% in 'initial implementation', and 7.8% 'not implemented'.
• The South and Southeast regions showed the most advanced implementation, with Rio Grande do Sul, São Paulo, and Santa Catarina leading in 'implemented' municipalities.

Conclusions:

• Progress in e-SUS AB implementation was confirmed, with the majority of municipalities in 'initial' or 'partial implementation' stages.
• Significant investments in technological resources, professional training, and ongoing support are essential to enhance the implementation and effective use of e-SUS AB and other national health information systems.