Overview
My Brazilian Doctor is a telemedicine service created to improve access to healthcare for international visitors, expatriates, digital nomads, and foreign residents in Brazil.
The initiative was founded and is medically led by Dr. Fabio Luiz Vieira, a Brazilian family physician with experience in primary care, global health, healthcare management, and digital health. The project emerged from a recurring challenge observed in clinical practice: many foreigners travelling or living in Brazil struggle to navigate the local healthcare system, particularly when language barriers, unfamiliar administrative processes, and differences between healthcare systems are involved.
My Brazilian Doctor was designed to bridge this gap by providing direct access to medical consultations in English, together with guidance on prescriptions, laboratory tests, specialist referrals, and continuity of care within the Brazilian healthcare environment.
Selected Milestones
- Founded in 2023.
- More than 2,500 international patients supported.
- Over 200 five-star reviews.
- Telemedicine consultations available nationwide in Brazil.
- English-speaking care focused on foreigners, expatriates and international travellers.
The Origins of the Project
Having worked in different healthcare contexts, including Brazil, Angola, and the United Kingdom, I became increasingly interested in how healthcare access is shaped not only by clinical needs but also by communication, health literacy, and system navigation.
While living in the United Kingdom, I noticed that many international travellers and expatriates arriving in Brazil faced practical difficulties when seeking medical assistance. Even relatively straightforward situations—such as obtaining a prescription, arranging laboratory testing, or understanding local treatment pathways—could become challenging when language and healthcare system differences were involved.
My Brazilian Doctor was established to address these barriers through a model focused on accessibility, continuity, and patient-centred communication.
Clinical Model
The service operates through telemedicine consultations provided directly by a licensed Brazilian physician.
Clinical support commonly includes:
- Acute medical conditions during travel
- Respiratory infections
- Urinary tract infections
- Gastrointestinal illnesses
- Travel medicine advice
- Dermatological conditions
- Mental health support
- ADHD continuity of care
- Chronic disease management
- Medication reviews
- Medical guidance for expatriates and digital nomads
Whenever necessary, patients are also guided regarding laboratory testing, pharmacy access, specialist referrals, or emergency services.
Digital Health and Continuity of Care
Beyond providing consultations, My Brazilian Doctor represents an ongoing interest in how digital health can improve access, coordination, and continuity of care across borders.
The project serves as a practical example of how telemedicine can support international patients who move between healthcare systems and may require medical documentation, treatment follow-up, or clinical interpretation in different countries.
Many of the lessons learned through this work have informed my broader interests in digital health, teleconsultation, healthcare innovation, and the future integration of healthcare services.
Recognition and Patient Reach
Since its creation, My Brazilian Doctor has supported thousands of international patients seeking healthcare assistance while in Brazil.
The service has been used by:
- Tourists
- Expatriates
- Digital nomads
- International students
- Business travellers
- Cruise passengers
- Foreign residents
Patients have consulted from a wide range of countries, reflecting the increasing demand for healthcare services capable of operating across language and geographical boundaries.
Related Professional Interests
The experience of developing My Brazilian Doctor intersects with several areas of my professional and academic work, including:
- Family Medicine
- Primary Health Care
- Digital Health
- Telemedicine
- Global Health
- Healthcare Management
- Patient Experience
- Continuity of Care
- Health System Navigation
These themes continue to influence my clinical practice, educational activities, and ongoing projects.
External Links
- Official Website: https://www.mybraziliandoctor.com.br
- Professional Profile: https://fabioluizvieira.com.br
- ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0003-2711-2769
- Wikidata: https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q137887433
- Lattes CV: http://lattes.cnpq.br/2800334601244676