Keywords
Medical teletriage
Interconsultation
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Abstract
Objective: To analyze teletriage as a preliminary step to specialized consultation, focusing on the technological mediation of the doctor-patient relationship in different specialties, using an integrated telemedicine platform. Methods: Original, descriptive, retrospective study with a quantitative and qualitative approach, based on the analysis of care records from a telehealth service. 1,959 teleconsultations were evaluated over twelve months, considering care outcomes, specialties involved, and temporal distribution. Results: Among the 1,959 consultations, there was a predominance of cases resolved within the service itself: 827 (42,2%) remained at the Hospital das Clínicas and 432 (22.1%) were referred back to the service. The most frequent specialties were endocrinology (27%), gastroenterology (19%), coloproctology (11%), and cardiology (10%). A significant reduction in the average waiting time was observed, from approximately 12 months in the face-to-face model to less than 20 days after teletriage. Qualitative analysis indicated improved clinical-care communication, strengthened therapeutic bonds, and greater problem-solving capacity. Conclusion: Teletriage for interconsultations proves to be a relevant strategy in organizing care across multiple specialties, expanding access, reducing waiting times, improving referrals, and strengthening technological mediation in the doctor-patient relationship.
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