Use of information and communications technology to care for the maternal-fetal binomial: topic review/Uso de las tecnologias de informacion y comunicacion para el cuidado del binomio materno-fetal: revision de tema/Uso das tecnologias de informacao e comunicacao para o cuidado do binomio materno-fetal: revisao do assunto

The existence of clinical forums, social networks where patients exchange information about their disease and treatment, web sites specializing in diseases and accessible to the general public language, among many other changes have modified, at least in part, information asymmetry that makes people visit health services. Taking into account these new virtual possibilities, the shortage of health personnel, and other factors referred to, telehealth has every chance in the near future. The purpose of this review is to identify the use of telehealth as a strategy to overcome some of the barriers to access, availability, and timeliness of service for the maternal-fetal binomial. To establish concepts, definitions are taken from biomedical informatics, e-health, telehealth, telemedicine, and tele-education. It is important to evaluate the different models of telehealth care of the maternal-fetal binomial in order to identify lessons learned and success factors necessary for new implementations of models. The technologies applied include mass media, conventional phone, cell phone, text messaging, internet, video conferencing, e-mail, ultrasound, and fetal echocardiography. After evaluating the experiences, advantages included adherence to treatment, increased coverage, and increased capacity for early detection of events, among others. The disadvantages identified involved problems with internet coverage and poor cell phone signal, and resistance to the use of Information and Communications Technology (ICT). With regard to costs, there is no conclusive evidence that telemedicine interventions and telecare are cost-effective compared to traditional health care. However, current evidence suggests that home telehealth has the potential to reduce costs, but its impact from a social perspective remains uncertain pending the availability of higher quality studies. The general use of telemedicine technologies over time (remote fetal monitoring, ultrasound, and teleconsultation) has resulted in a marked reduction in perinatal mortality when compared to an equivalent group of obstetric patients receiving traditional treatment.