Saurabh Arora, Founder & CEO, Lybrate states the importance of telemedicine in the current scenario and how it will impact the post COVID pandemic world
Never before the concept of telemedicine seemed so powerful and beneficial than during the ongoing coronavirus crisis that led to unprecedented lockdowns across the globe, leaving people with no choice but to stay indoors. In all practicality, the only sane thing to do right now.
It, however, looks challenging when we keep aside the practical aspect and think about it on a human level. How can we think of surviving without stepping out to gather essential resources to keep going, especially when online delivery system is almost crippled because of the lockdown? All that is being managed with central and state governments’ unremitting efforts and people strictly following the pleas of social distancing while moving out.
Telemedicine – like never before
That is about meeting our day-today challenges in order to sustain. What about our health? Health issues do not come with a warning. While for health we do not require a doctor at all times, the need is pronounced when we are ill. Now, in the scenario when strict lockdowns are in place, the possibility of visiting a doctor, if the condition is not emergency, is feeble.
That’s where telemedicine can make all the crucial difference and play a very important role. It helps bridge the gap between patients and doctors and its value had never been so greatly felt as that of now. Because people have no choice, they are using online doctor consultation platforms. This kind of massive response was never seen before the pandemic when there existed a mental barrier to consulting doctors online.
Gaining currency in India and globally
In the years to come, telemedicine is bound to become an inseparable part of healthcare delivery system, and functioning without it would rather become unthinkable. The ongoing crisis will provide the sector fresh momentum, helping it to grow further globally. In India, as per the India Brand Equity Foundation’s 2019 report, the telemedicine sector is projected to become $32 million in market size by the end of 2020.
Factors fuelling growth of telemedicine
1. Wider acceptability
Until sometime back, telemedicine was considered to be only meant for young and tech-savvy population. However, with players continuously fine tuning the product and services to make it easier and seamless for the users, introduction of new and smooth technologies and faster internet facilities, the acceptability of telemedicine has grown wider even in the age group of 50-60 years. Also unlike earlier, female population across age groups has become more active in seeking doctor consultation online for themselves as also for family members.
2. Multiplier effect
India has been grappling with the issue of shortage of doctors. The situation is all the more abysmal when it comes to specialist doctors. Besides, the spread of doctors is severely distorted and uneven as they are densely populated in metros and big cities and people in smaller cities and towns have little or no access to quality healthcare experts. Telemedicine plugs this very gap. Now, one doctor sitting in a major city can provide consultation to a person in a remote area, efficiently addressing the issue of accessibility of doctors in the country.
3. Affordable healthcare
Compared to conventional in-clinic and hospital visits, telemedicine is economical. The infrastructure investment is minimal and doctors are able to attend to more patients. Hence, it becomes possible to bring down the consultation costs and make the services more affordable.
4. Safety of stakeholders
With telemedicine, safety of all the stakeholders – patients, doctors, nurses can be ensured. In hospitals and clinics, despite all the safety measures, the healthcare experts and staff are at grave risk of acquiring infections. Such risks are much higher in pandemic situations like now. By attending to non-emergency patients online, the risk of infections for healthcare professionals and for patients to acquire infections from hospital can be contained drastically.
During a pandemic, telemedicine thus assumes greater significance.
The field of telemedicine is still a novel concept for many and challenges are abound. Yet, the entire sector is gaining traction steadily, for the umpteen benefits it offers in making healthcare accessible. With people getting a hang of telemedicine and being able to understand its value amid coronavirus crisis, this phase will script a new chapter for the entire industry, not only in India but across the globe.
Hello,
Yes, what you said is 100% accurate.
It is now very simple to schedule an appointment with a doctor utilizing technology while remaining in the comfort of our own homes.
Doctor consultations through video or chat are quite convenient, and To minimize personal contact, it is preferable to have an online doctor consultation for a few common disorders such as the flu, viral fever, skin allergies, and viral infection.
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