Digital Transformation in Health: new pathways and challenges for municipal management of the Unified Health System in the Brazilian context
1
Health Sciences Center, State University of Ceará, Fortaleza, Brazil
2
Municipal Health Department, Municipality of São Gonçalo do Amarante, Ceará, São Gonçalo do Amarante, Brazil
Popul. Med. 2026;8(Supplement Supplement 1):
ABSTRACT
INTRODUCTION:
Digital transformation in health has been consolidating as a strategic axis for strengthening municipal management of the Unified Health System (Sistema Único de Saúde – SUS)¹, Brazil’s universal public health system, especially in the face of challenges related to the fragmentation of information systems, interoperability, and the qualified use of data for health planning within the territory.
OBJECTIVES:
To describe the experience of digital transformation within the scope of municipal management of the Unified Health System, with a focus on the interoperability of health information systems, data-driven decision-making, and continuous monitoring of indicators.
METHODS:
This is a descriptive case study developed based on the municipal experience in the context of Northeastern Brazil, specifically in the municipality of São Gonçalo do Amarante, Ceará, Brazil. The strategies adopted by the municipal management of the Municipal Health Secretariat were analyzed, including the integration of information systems, the use of indicators in planning, and the organization of health actions within the territory.
RESULTS:
The progressive implementation of structuring digital health systems in the municipality is highlighted, including the creation and consolidation of the Electronic Citizen Health Record (Prontuário Eletrônico do Cidadão – PEC), the computerization of health units, and the integration of healthcare and administrative databases². This process enabled the construction of users’ clinical history, greater traceability of information, interoperability between levels of care, and continuous support for real-time indicator analysis.
CONCLUSIONS:
Digital transformation at the municipal level proved to be a fundamental strategy to strengthen the management of the Unified Health System (SUS), engaging with essential tools for care management that promote efficiency, integrated care, managerial analytical capacity, territorial planning, and support the promotion of equity in access to health services. The study reinforces the importance of investment in interoperability, information qualification, and the systematic use of indicators.
Digital transformation in health has been consolidating as a strategic axis for strengthening municipal management of the Unified Health System (Sistema Único de Saúde – SUS)¹, Brazil’s universal public health system, especially in the face of challenges related to the fragmentation of information systems, interoperability, and the qualified use of data for health planning within the territory.
OBJECTIVES:
To describe the experience of digital transformation within the scope of municipal management of the Unified Health System, with a focus on the interoperability of health information systems, data-driven decision-making, and continuous monitoring of indicators.
METHODS:
This is a descriptive case study developed based on the municipal experience in the context of Northeastern Brazil, specifically in the municipality of São Gonçalo do Amarante, Ceará, Brazil. The strategies adopted by the municipal management of the Municipal Health Secretariat were analyzed, including the integration of information systems, the use of indicators in planning, and the organization of health actions within the territory.
RESULTS:
The progressive implementation of structuring digital health systems in the municipality is highlighted, including the creation and consolidation of the Electronic Citizen Health Record (Prontuário Eletrônico do Cidadão – PEC), the computerization of health units, and the integration of healthcare and administrative databases². This process enabled the construction of users’ clinical history, greater traceability of information, interoperability between levels of care, and continuous support for real-time indicator analysis.
CONCLUSIONS:
Digital transformation at the municipal level proved to be a fundamental strategy to strengthen the management of the Unified Health System (SUS), engaging with essential tools for care management that promote efficiency, integrated care, managerial analytical capacity, territorial planning, and support the promotion of equity in access to health services. The study reinforces the importance of investment in interoperability, information qualification, and the systematic use of indicators.
| eISSN: | 2654-1459 |
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