TELENURSING APPLIED TO THE CARE OF CHRONIC CONDITIONS: EVIDENCE SYSTEMATIZATION AND PERSPECTIVES FOR PRACTICE

Abstract

The growing prevalence of chronic conditions and the need for longitudinal follow-up have stimulated the incorporation of digital technologies into health care models, expanding care possibilities beyond in-person encounters. In this context, telenursing enables the remote performance of activities such as clinical monitoring, health education, self-care support, monitoring of therapeutic adherence, and early identification of alterations requiring intervention. This review aimed to analyze the applications of telenursing in the care of people with chronic conditions, systematizing the main evidence related to intervention modalities, clinical and care outcomes, and the factors that condition its incorporation into practice. This is a narrative literature review, guided by a structured question based on the PICo strategy and directed at studies on nursing interventions mediated by communication technologies in the follow-up of adults with chronic conditions. The evidence points to particularly relevant applications in diabetes mellitus, arterial hypertension, heart failure, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, and other conditions requiring continuous surveillance, with interventions delivered by telephone, video calls, applications, digital platforms, and telemonitoring systems. The main benefits described concentrate on expanding continuity of care, strengthening self-care, monitoring clinical parameters, therapeutic adherence, and the possibility of early recognition of signs of decompensation. However, heterogeneity of interventions, differences in digital literacy, unequal access to technologies, limited integration with services, and the need to define professional responsibilities constitute relevant challenges. It is concluded that telenursing can complement in-person follow-up of chronic conditions and favor more continuous and person-centered care models, provided that its implementation is associated with care protocols, professional training, information security, equity of access, and adequate articulation with the care network.