Abstract
This is a debate about the challenges of continuity of care regarding rehabilitation for outpatients of COVID-19. The high number of hospital admissions and the functional limitations resulting from this disease generate needs for care in rehabilitation services at the secondary level and in Primary Health Care (PHC). In the Brazilian Unified Health System (Sistema Único de Saúde — SUS), this type of care has historically been linked to the policy of people with disabilities, and although there have been some advances in the construction of the Care Network, barriers to access to services still exist. This, in addition to the setbacks that SUS has been suffering, the lack of adequate planning, and the difficulties in the use of Information and Communication Technologies are the main challenges for the continuity of care for outpatients of COVID-19. In this scenario, it is essential to induce public policies and health programs in order to improve the actions in rehabilitation, qualify care practices, and establish an articulated care network that can cope with the new demands. Therefore, the strengthening of SUS and PHC must be the main bet for the mitigation of the pandemic and its social impacts.
Keywords:
coronavirus infections; Unified Health System; rehabilitation services; continuity of patient care