Idealizing Information Systems for the Brazilian Unified Health System: Perspectives of Health Professionals

Abstract

This study aimed to understand, from the users of Health Information Systems’ perspectives, the essential components these technologies must present to be considered appropriate for incorporation and use in the Brazilian Unified Health System. As a secondary objective, we organized the results in the dimensions of the RE-AIM framework to facilitate future translation into practice. Qualitative exploratory research was carried out through a questionnaire with open-ended questions. We built the questions based on the RE-AIM and RE-AIM QuEST frameworks. For data organization and analysis, we used the NVivo 12® software, opting for the thematic categorical analysis strategy in three stages. Twenty-nine primary care and hospital services professionals participated, including nurses, physicians, pharmacists, dentists, community health workers, and management positions. Among the five dimensions of the framework used, sixteen analytical categories emerged. Constructs related to the interoperability between different healthcare services, implementation costs, infrastructure, reduction of bureaucracy, and guarantee of information security were deemed essential when considering implementing a new information system. The sustainability of technology in health services was directly associated with its performance quality to ensure that health professionals do not abandon the use of its functions.