Combining interoperability, cybersecurity, and digital inclusion can transform the SUS into an accessible, efficient, and patient-centered system.
*By Valeria Bursztein
The digital transformation of Brazilian healthcare is underway—and it requires, more than technology, a profound change in mindset. For Brazil to advance this process in a sovereign, inclusive, and efficient manner, we need to build bridges between the public and private spheres, integrating all stakeholders around common goals: ensuring universal access, improving the citizen experience, and using data responsibly.
The digitalization of the healthcare sector has the potential to address some of its greatest weaknesses, including data fragmentation, the overload of in-person services, the lack of continuity of care, operational waste, and the underutilization of clinical information for public policymaking. However, there is no magic solution—the transformation must be considered in a structured manner, focusing on interoperability, information security, responsible artificial intelligence, and digital literacy.
Interoperability needs to be seen as a central pillar, as a digitalized healthcare system only works if data flows securely and accurately between different platforms, providers, federative entities, and levels of care. Adopting international standards, such as Fast Healthcare, Interoperability Resources (FHIR) is just the beginning. Progress is needed on standardizing clinical terminology, unique patient identification, and integrating legacy systems with new solutions. A lack of interoperability not only creates inefficiency but also compromises comprehensive care for citizens.
The digital environment expands opportunities, but also risks. In a sector that handles sensitive data and human lives, cybersecurity cannot be an add-on—it must be at the core of solution design. The protection of clinical information and the resilience of digital infrastructures must follow the principles of security by design, robust authentication, and continuous monitoring, aligned with global best practices and national legislation.
Artificial Intelligence, as in any sector, must be treated with great responsibility. Applying AI to healthcare brings undeniable benefits in diagnosis, screening, predictive analysis, and management. However, we must ensure that these algorithms are trained on databases that reflect the Brazilian reality, respecting epidemiological diversity and patient rights. Transparency, auditability, and human oversight must guide the development of these technologies.
It's also worth highlighting that technological innovation is only effective if it's accessible to everyone. The digital inclusion of healthcare professionals,Patients and the general population are challenged, demanding efforts in training, simple language, and user-centered design. The digital experience needs to be intuitive, culturally appropriate, and capable of including groups historically excluded from the system—such as the elderly, people with low education levels, or those living in remote areas.
Digital transformation in healthcare is not just a technological goal—it's an ethical imperative. A more digital SUS can also be a more humane, less unequal, and more efficient SUS. It's up to all of us—the public sector, businesses, academia, and society—to make this vision a concrete reality.
*Valeria Bursztein is the coordinator of the Business Verticals of the Brazilian Association of Software Companies (ABES).
Notice: The opinion presented in this article is the responsibility of its author and not of ABES - Brazilian Association of Software Companies
Article originally published on the IT Forum website: https://itforum.com.br/colunas/transformacao-digital-saude-futuro/
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