Strategies to Be Implemented the Access of the Population with Cardiovascular Diseases to the Health System in Pandemic

Abstract

Introduction: The SARS-CoV-2 pandemic has impacted non-communicable diseases by increasing deaths from non-COVID-19 causes, largely due to difficulty accessing health care.

Objective: To identify access strategies implemented in primary health care for cardiovascular patients during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Methods: Systematic review of publications from 2020-2021, in Medline/PubMed, Scielo, Lilacs, Web of Science databases and Google Scholar search engine of articles in English, Spanish, Portuguese. AND, OR and the descriptors: cardiovascular strategy, access, primary care, pandemic, COVID19 were used. The Mixed Methods Appraisal Tool v2018 was used for quality assessment.

Results: Nineteen articles were included for analysis. Thirteen studies propose telematic care, in the following modalities: telephone contact, telemedicine, telemonitoring. Seven studies indicate that priority should be given to the care of cardiovascular patients with risk factors, providing them with medication at home for 90 days and transferring skills for self-monitoring of vital signs. Likewise, the gap in the use of this access route by the population and the training of health professionals in this modality of care should be considered.

Conclusions: Telematic consultation has been the strategy mostly used in primary care to maintain continuity of care in cardiovascular patients. Access strategies involve reorganization and restructuring of health centers, prioritization of demand, and telematic care processes.