The traditional method of doctor consultancy has now witnessed a transition to a hybrid setup where the patients have the ease of receiving online assistance from anywhere in the world. As a result, the global telemedicine market is expected to grow from 79.79 billion USD in 2020 to a massive 396.76 billion USD by the year 2027. This impressive growth will result in the increase of the Compound Annual Growth Rate to 25.8 %. The Growth does not stop here! More than 20% of the healthcare ecosystems are projected to undergo a transition phase of operating online. The new platform will include tele-consultancy, remote monitoring , virtual care and even post-hospitalization care.
Now,the question which arises is whether India really needs telemedicine? Well the answer is quite clear, Yes! The best reason to justify the need is right in front of us – The COVID 19 Pandemic! The need for online consultation proved to be the best treatment in treating covid patients. Across the globe, patients found it extremely convenient in connecting to doctors to get treated through telehealth. Platforms like Practo and Medifee connected doctors from across the country with the patients in order to provide online consultation.
Indeed the country is in acute need for a skilled healthcare setups with a stronger and an advanced infrastructure, still, Through cost-effective and asset-light models, innovative care delivery mechanisms are transforming the medical sector. This not only is helping the patients but is also supporting the healthcare staff including the practitioners to reach a wider range of patients, at the same providing services in the remote areas where there is a limited reach of hospitals. An excellent innovation to support this cause is Critinext. This Asia’s first tele ICU model aims to serve as a dynamic intensive care unit which goes beyond all the boundaries. With the help of audio visual support , intensive E- medical record along with an efficient and reliable smart alert system , this model aims to provide monitoring, assessment , support and interventional services round the clock! The benefits do not end here! Telemedicine will also empower doctors, nurses and paramedical staff with the latest technology , training and teaching in medicine, hence, removing the barriers between knowledge and education.
The district hospitals will also be benefited with telemedicine on board. These hospitals can be well equipped with advanced software applications, IT support, virtual diagnostics along with special dedicated helplines. On the environmental side, these support systems will also encourage reduction of medical waste and at the same time lead to better and sustainable practices for the environment.
The cost effectiveness of telemedicine applications have resulted in widespread expansion of the applications amongst organizations, resulting in implementation of innovative ways to provide best in class care to the customers. The Internet also plays a major role in this expansion of E- Health via web based applications as well as multimedia approaches.
A huge milestone is achieved by the telemedicine industry with the implementation of the National Health Digital Mission. The mission has given recognition to telemedicine and also encouraged Unique Health ID and electronic health along with medical records. With this , the mission aims to synergize and establish its domination across all the E platforms.
Telemedicine and E- health care is still yet to establish itself in the healthcare industry of the country. Nonetheless , health information exchange and harmonious exchange of information are responsible for making the process of transition a lot smoother and quicker. However, we must realize that telemedicine will never replace the need and importance of in person treatment. The need for physical consultation will always prevail in the country. Where the mild and moderate illness can be successfully treated with telemedicine , severe and critical cases will always be treated only via hospital treatment. With the strengthening of IoT applications , telemedicine can successfully become the best companion of hospitals and health practitioners in order to provide the best experience to their patients.
The country is the hub of chronic illness and diseases. To fight the situation , expanding the reach of healthcare facilities to patients is extremely important and especially in the remote areas. All of this is now possible, all thanks to telemedicine ! The expansion in primary , secondary and tertiary healthcare will result in a massive boost in the revenue expansion of the industry. In the coming years, technology driven healthcare will be the most successful healthcare delivery in the country. The use of telemedicine will prove to be the most approachable and affordable service for the patients who would otherwise be unable to receive quality healthcare services.
Author- Toshank Bhardwaj, Content Creator, AI and Telemedicine
