Why does India Need a Shift to Tele-Medicine?

Why does India Need a Shift to Tele-Medicine?

Do you think it is okay for the healthcare system to handle things in the traditional doctor-patient in-person treatment methods? Well, we have witnessed its limitations in critical situations like a disease outbreak when healthcare professionals faced enormous challenges in handling a huge number of patients. But what is the resolution for such issues when Doctor-person interactions are the backbone of healthcare diagnosis and treatments? It is nothing but empowering the telemedicine and telemedicine services in India.

Technological innovations like artificial intelligence have revolutionized the healthcare service delivery landscape, especially the Indian telemedicine market. According to Fortune Business Insights, the Indian healthcare industry is rapidly shifting from traditional in-person doctor-patient interactions to digitally-supported remote consultations. We should view this in the light of the fact that the global telemedicine market is projected to grow from $79.79 billion in 2020 to $396.76 billion in 2027 at a CAGR of 25.8 percent, and it points to the bright future of telemedicine in India. Nearly 20 percent of the healthcare ecosystem will shift to Teleconsults, virtual care, remote monitoring, out-of-hospital care, and home health.

At present, India needs more skilled professionals and a strong infrastructure in the area of healthcare. The need for alternate care delivery mechanisms is transforming the medical landscape through cost-effective and asset-light models. It enables hospitals and medical practitioners to deal with patients outside hospitals, even in remote settings. The net result is that healthcare professionals can effectively utilize their energies, resources, and infrastructure to handle patients who need immediate care. To cite an example, Critinext is an e-ICU model that is Asia’s first TeleICU that provides intensive care beyond boundaries. This model uses intensive electronic medical records, audio-visuals, and an alert system as a rapid response tool. It also enables monitoring, assessment, support, and interventional services without any disruptions. In addition, it acts as a bridge for doctors and nurses in teaching and training.

We can see that the remote care models can be useful in a pandemic situation like Covid 19. For patients with milder infections, those needing long-term acute care, elderly patients, or patients requiring specially trained nurses for palliative care, this method will be beneficial since it avoids them to reach the hospitals in real-time. As an indicator of Telemedicine in India’s current scenario and the future, many apps and platforms are a digital expansion of medical practices that helps to provide seamless connectivity between patients and doctors.

Another benefit of it is to organize healthcare facilities through digital channels. District-level hospitals can be strengthened and capacitated to handle more serious medical cases. With the support of around-the-clock helplines, software applications, and remote diagnostic facilities, the burdens of healthcare professionals in organizing can get reduced to a great extent. These diverse models can also help generate new revenue streams and increased market penetration. , It eventually leads to empowering the Indian telemedicine market. They can also go a long way in reducing the burden of medical waste and providing pathways for more environmentally sustainable practices.

In addition to the benefits mentioned above, the cost involved with organizing diagnostic practices has reduced considerably with the help of telemedicine. The internet has expanded the scope for e-health through web-based applications (teleconsultations and conferences) and multimedia approaches (digital imagery and videos). The launch of the National Health Digital Mission, unique health ID, and electronic health and medical records has encouraged this and more, and the youth in the country is getting more interested in exploring its possibilities.

India is home to aging populations and chronic lifestyle diseases. Therefore, the need to encourage home care, e-healthcare, and move toward cost-effective treatment options is essential for maintaining the efficiency and revenue growth of the healthcare industry. Technology-driven healthcare and home care will progressively become pivotal in healthcare delivery across the nation, proving to be more affordable and accessible to those who otherwise cannot avail of quality healthcare services in India’s telemedicine market. For a country that has consistently faced the barrier of access to quality care, technology and innovation in health have the power to bring lasting solutions to the changing health needs of our people and improve patient experience and outcomes.

In light of these, we can ascertain that converting paper files and patient details into digital records and handling digital patient files requires special training and practice. The healthcare system in the country has not yet ready to cope with this inevitable digital transformation, but it opens unending opportunities to the youth who wish to find their path in the healthcare sector.

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