India has the highest number of medical colleges in the world, followed by doctors. Still, less is served by the country’s 1.3 billion large population segments Healthcare systems. The population ratio of doctors in India is 1: 1456 while WHO guideline recommends 1: 1000. The same is true of other areas Health care This results in high infant and child mortality rates and very low health indicators in the country. The gap between actual demand and supply in healthcare and the shortcomings of attendance in the public health system. This scarcity is even worse in rural areas where most of the population lives. This condition is prevalent not only in India, but in most developing countries in Asia, Africa and South America.
While there is no way to address this, one of the advantages of the technological leap that is taking place all over the world, if used properly, can bridge this gap to some extent. We have seen what happens in the field of telecommunications, the leap frogging of mobile telephony, giving billions of people in poor countries access to data and voice communication at very low cost. This is an amazing revolution that helped the world shrink and communicate better and more efficiently. It is worthwhile to take advantage of this to take healthcare to the billions of people who do not have access to it due to physical limitations. In remote parts of the country, including mountainous and tribal districts, or in other parts of Africa, the patient can easily see the treatment prescribed by the doctor while sitting in the city. This will create huge opportunities by increasing access to quality healthcare.
Healthcare consumers are increasingly embracing digital platforms as an alternative to physical access to doctors and hospitals. The epidemic has created the need for a healthcare ecosystem that is digitally integrated, reaching out to patients and doctors who avoid personal visits to avoid infection.
Ayushman Bharat Health And Wellness Centers Has started providing telemedicine services across India, as the Ministry of Health is also focusing on strengthening online medical counseling services. To ensure the success of this initiative, an integrated digital healthcare ecosystem is important, such as uninterrupted internet bandwidth and access to this ecosystem through affordable smartphones.
In addition to providing patients in rural areas with easy access to expert advice without having to travel long distances, telemedicine works to reduce patient load in tertiary care hospitals, as patients often do not need to return to the hospital for follow-up but can do so from the comfort of their own home. Can make delivery.
While the epidemic may have accelerated the process of adopting telemedicine services, the ease with which people have adopted the technology makes the medical community believe it is here to stay. At Aster, within 8 months of introduction in 2020, about 800 doctors registered in 5 countries provided more than 100,000 consultations. Seeing the success, Aster continues to encourage people to use the model with the option of a personal visit to our clinics or hospitals. A hybrid telemedicine model, alternating between individual and telehealth visits, has many advantages and is sustainable in the long run. It can create constant care that telehealth alone cannot do. When a new patient’s appointment is virtual, follow-up appointments that require a physical examination and diagnostic work can be scheduled as individual visits. Subsequent visits can be telehealth if the patient and doctor find this appropriate. This model allows screening for their inspection at the patient’s home to prevent unnecessary contact, saves travel time and costs, and increases affordable access for specialists.
Most non-communicable diseases (NCDs) are relevant for help with telemedicine. During the initial consultation and follow-up, patients can be trained to self-report blood pressure / blood glucose / body weight. Thus, India’s high NCD burden can be effectively supported by the hybrid model. During epidemics, healthcare providers have seen a sharp rise in mental health problems, and this is another area where telemedicine providers can provide counseling and treatment to patients in the comfort of their own homes.
In India, this too can benefit Medical tourism. Hospitals can provide the best patient experience and seamless transition of care to international patients using the hybrid telehealth model. Through this, initial consultation and doctor-patient interaction can take place days or weeks before the patient arrives in India for treatment.
Another area where Aster was one of the early movers was launching the E-ICU model in which the complex care specialists of the entire operation were integrated into a central hub so that the care of our patients would not stop. This innovative and highly successful remote care strategy will help hospitals care for critically ill patients thus optimizing ICU resources.
While the benefits are numerous, telehealth poses challenges. Healthcare workers without any training in digital skills need to become skilled to ensure efficient and accurate use of telehealth software. A large class of patients continue to question the reliability of online diagnoses and even with the use of technology they are not comfortable. Digitally challenged patients are at risk of misinterpretation of symptoms, prognosis, or prescription. However, these movements can be considered as dental problems that come with the adoption of any new technology or behavior and can be expected to be solved organically over time.
Dr. Azad Moopen, Founder Chairman and Managing Director of Aster DM Healthcare
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