THE ADVANCES AND CHALLENGES OF TELEMEDICINE IN BRAZIL/OS AVANCOS E DESAFIOS DA TELEMEDICINA NO BRASIL/LOS AVANCES Y DESAFIOS DE LA TELEMEDICINA EN BRASIL

Amidst the increasing technological advancement, medicine has shown significant progress in recent years, resulting in improved quality of life for the population. Telemedicine has emerged as a solution, particularly highlighted during the COVID-19 pandemic, facilitating access to healthcare, especially in remote regions. Previously regulated by the Federal Medical Board, telemedicine has been propelled by the progressive accessibility of the internet, enabling remote consultations and introducing an innovative approach to healthcare services delivery. The enactment of the Telemedicine Law in 2022 established criteria for remote medical consultations, providing a safe and effective alternative in data and information transmission. In summary, this mode of remote healthcare provision offers a variety of benefits, including access to diagnosis, treatment, and early interventions, bridging gaps in areas with limited healthcare access, and enhancing communication among healthcare professionals. However, inequality in access to digital technologies in Brazil, along with ethical, legal, and cultural challenges, persists, highlighting the need for policy reparations and clear regulations to ensure the practice of medicine in this mode, particularly in a safe and reliable manner. Keywords: Telemedicine; transformation of the healthcare system; access to healthcare; technological advances. Em meio ao avanco tecnologico crescente, a medicina apresentou uma evolucao significativa nos ultimos anos, resultando em uma melhor qualidade de vida para a populacao. A telemedicina emergiu como uma solucao, especialmente evidenciada durante a pandemia da COVID-19, facilitando o acesso aos cuidados de saude, principalmente em regioes remotas. Anteriormente controlada pelo Conselho Federal de Medicina, a telemedicina foi impulsionada pela progressiva acessibilidade a internet, possibilitando consultas a distancia e introduzindo uma abordagem inovadora na prestacao de servicos de saude. A promulgacao da Lei da Telemedicina em 2022 estabeleceu criterios para consultas medicas a distancia, proporcionando uma alternativa segura e eficaz na transmissao de dados e informacoes. Em suma, essa modalidade de atendimento de saude a distancia proporciona uma variedade de beneficios, como acesso ao diagnostico, tratamento e intervencoes precoces, preenchendo lacunas em areas com acesso limitado a saude, alem de aprimorar a comunicacao entre os profissionais de saude. No entanto, a desigualda