Mapping the evaluation of Brazil's national electronic health system for primary care (PEC e-SUS APS): a scoping...

In 2013, the Brazilian Ministry of Health launched the e-SUS Primary Care Strategy, which included Brazil's National Electronic Health System for Primary Care (PEC e-SUS APS). This initiative aimed to structure and unify Primary Health Care information. Despite its widespread use in primary healthcare and challenges related to implementation, integration, and utilization, no comprehensive review has yet been conducted to identify and analyze studies that evaluate the PEC e-SUS APS.

To answer the research question, formulated using the PCC acronym, sought to systematically address, "How has the PEC e-SUS APS electronic health record been evaluated?".

A high-sensitivity search across multiple databases was performed without language restrictions and with a time filter set from 2013 onwards. Three reviewers independently enforced eligibility criteria in a two-phase selection process, with two reviewers then extracting and cross-checking data. The synthesis was conducted through descriptive analysis.

Out of 2729 studies screened, 11 were selected for synthesis. These studies primarily employed qualitative research methods involving a diverse group of healthcare professionals, mostly focusing on perceptions, experiences, and challenges associated with the PEC e-SUS APS system. A notable lack of theoretical frameworks and the absence of established standards were common among most studies. Additionally, the included studies did not cover issues such as functionality, reliability, usability, efficiency, and portability.

This review highlights substantial gaps and methodological diversity in evaluating PEC e-SUS APS, underscoring the necessity to develop standardized tools to enhance consistency and reliability in future research.