A digitalização da saúde no Brasil: avanços e desafios do Meu SUS Digital após a pandemia

Abstract

This article aims to analyze the effectiveness of the Meu SUS Digital application in expanding access to healthcare in Brazil after the COVID-19 pandemic, considering the advances, challenges, and perspectives of digitalization in the Unified Health System (SUS). A qualitative, descriptive-exploratory research was carried out through the application of a questionnaire to 13 SUS users, whose responses were examined using the thematic content analysis technique. The results show that the most frequently used features are the digital vaccination card and the SUS card, perceived as tools that simplify procedures and organize health data. However, significant barriers were also identified, such as system instability, lack of updates for records prior to the pandemic, login difficulties, and digital literacy limitations, factors that compromise the comprehensiveness and reliability of the platform. Despite these limitations, the pandemic emerged as a turning point that accelerated digital transformation, encouraging greater adherence to the application and enabling faster access to health information. It is concluded that Meu SUS Digital represents an important step forward for public health management, but its consolidation requires continuous investment in technological infrastructure, digital inclusion policies, and mechanisms for transparency and data security, in order to ensure universal accessibility and strengthen citizens’ trust.