Digital technology and care management in Primary Health Care: an experience report in the Federal District, Brazil

Abstract

This study aims to describe the experience of implementing Trello in a Basic Health Unit linked to the Health Department of the Federal District, as a possibility of improving work processes in Primary Health Care. The tool’s implementation was led by a resident physician working in the field for approximately six months between 2021 and 2022. The data collection instruments were empirical observation and recording of experiences. Given the perceived limitations, a test chart was created with the patients in the matrix and presented to the team to demonstrate the application as a possibility to overcome the reported obstacles. The experience demonstrated advantages in the management of patient groups and the coordination of care. The motivating problems were fully addressed, and thus, the use of this tool enabled an active and earlier search, improving the efficiency of care management and facilitating the discussion of cases among professionals. The potential to automate some work processes stands out, whilst the need for adequate team training, data protection, and the risk of fragmentation and platformization of care indicate limitations that must be considered. This work contributes with an unprecedented experience that can provide a basis for other teams to use this tool or motivate updates to the Electronic Citizen's Medical Record so that new functionalities can be implemented that contribute to work processes within primary care.