The expansion of telemedicine in primary health care after the COVID-19 pandemic in Latin America.

• Lemos Campello, Marcelo ^[1] ; M. Correa, Facundo J. ^[1]
  1. [1] Universidad Abierta Interamericana

     Universidad Abierta Interamericana

     Argentina

     
• Localización: SAP Primary Care, ISSN-e 3121-2212, Nº. 1, 2025
• Idioma: inglés
• Enlaces
  • Texto completo
• Resumen

  • The COVID-19 pandemic brought a major shift to Latin American health systems, accelerating the use of telemedicine as a key tool in primary care. This article examines the influence of the pandemic on the growth and consolidation of telemedicine in the region through a systematic review of literature published between 2020 and 2023. Research from Argentina, Brazil, Chile, and Colombia was identified, along with regional assessments describing progress, barriers, and facilitators. The main findings show that the use of virtual consultations increased substantially in 2020 due to emergency legal frameworks and the need to maintain care continuity. However, digital divides, territorial inequalities, and infrastructural challenges persist. The evidence indicates that telemedicine enhanced the responsiveness of primary care; nevertheless, its sustainability will depend on public policies focused on equity, professional training, and technological integration.