Telemonitoramento em saúde mental infantojuvenil: conquistas e desafios para sua implementação

Abstract

FREITAS, A.L.S. Telemonitoring in child and adolescent mental health: achievements and challenges for its implementation. Master's Thesis. Postgraduate Program in Health Psychology. Federal University of Bahia, Multidisciplinary Health Institute. Vitória da Conquista, Bahia: UFBA, 2023. The COVID-19 pandemic had a global impact on the health sector, especially during the period of social isolation, unexpectedly causing the adaptation of the most diverse health services to remote care. Given this scenario, this study aimed to: i) describe the trajectory of the use of Information and Communication Technologies (ICTs) in Brazil; ii) present the different forms of remote care aimed at mental health care for children and young people during the period of social isolation resulting from the pandemic; iii) develop a technical product that serves as a guide to good practices for implementing telemonitoring in health services. The results of this research were organized into two articles: in the first, bibliographical research was carried out using an exploratory-descriptive method. The trajectory of the use of ICTs in Brazil in general was discussed and mental health care experiences -national and international- were listed with regard to assistance to children and adolescents during the pandemic period. The second article presents a case study of a qualitative nature, in which the experience of multidisciplinary telemonitoring implemented during 2020 was investigated. The research was carried out at the Center for Psychosocial Care for Children and Adolescents in Vitória da Conquista-BA, respecting all ethical aspects. Health professionals, family members and adolescent users of the service participated in the study, totaling 21 participants. As collection techniques, we used a semi-structured online questionnaire (with a healthcare team) and in-person focus groups (with users). The information obtained was transcribed and subjected to content analysis. The results allowed us to conclude that, although there are limitations in access to technological resources and the need for better structuring of the telemonitoring proposal, benefits were found in monitoring users and their families via telephone, namely: reduction of waiting lines for care, strengthening the bond between users and reference technician, increasing the resolution of urgent behavioral situations such as crisis management, guidance on drug treatment and building autonomy between users and family members. Based on these findings, a guide was created aimed at health teams aimed at the implementation of telemonitoring as a complementary assistance tool. Finally, it is outlined that this presents itself as a powerful resource in this context, especially when aimed at strategic monitoring of families. In this context, it is considered that Health Psychology can support professional practices that strengthen psychosocial care in terms of clinical, community and territorialized care.