Telessaúde como eixo organizacional dos sistemas universais de saúde do século XXI

New epidemiological and demographic challenges require new ways of organizing healthcare systems. This essay proposes telehealth as an organizational tool, capable of smoothing the iron triangle of health care and facilitating achievement of the triple aim, namely greater access and quality with cost reduction. The integration of telehealth into the referral process and the transition between care services increases the resolvability of primary health care (PHC), facilitates the coordination of care, promotes treatment adherence, decreases readmissions, and stimulates quaternary prevention. This essay introduces the notion of telehealth as a meta-service that confers technological density to PHC and allows it to become an effective coordinator of care, organizing the flow of information, people and supplies. In view of the innovations proposed, it is essential to evaluate the impact of existing telehealth initiatives so as to extend their applicability as meta-service.