Ranga Jagannath, Senior Director, Agora talks about the ways in which healthcare providers could ensure a seamless telemedicine experience
Healthcare has emerged as one of India’s largest sectors, both in terms of revenue and employment. The e-health market size is estimated to reach US$ 10.6 billion by 2025.
Even though telemedicine has been around for decades, many of us didn’t have our first virtual doctor’s office visit until the pandemic. Telemedicine’s utilisation has remained above pre-pandemic levels and has turned into an essential service in the healthcare industry. It is no surprise that an industry like healthcare substantially boomed during the pandemic, utilising all the latest technologies like surgical robots. According to the findings by IBEF, 638 e-Hospitals were established across India as part of the central government’s ‘Digital India’ initiative by November 2021.
The growth of virtual-first care providers suggests that demand by patients is persistent and growing. Some workflows, for example, require physicians to log into disparate systems that do not integrate seamlessly with an electronic health record (EHR). Audiovisual failures during virtual appointments occurred continuously. Providers need to make sure that they design operational workflows in a manner that makes care as seamless as possible for both providers and patients.
Healthcare providers have resorted to the latest technologies and should continue to do so, in order to help patients at the earliest and reduce the time taken to action requests by them. Innovative solutions have helped to address the challenge of person-to-person consultations and grant access to care services, however, since the onset of the pandemic, we have seen how dramatically there has been an increase in demand for virtual care. Some of the ways in which healthcare providers could ensure a seamless telemedicine experience are:
Embracing real-time engagement
Real-time engagement that includes live audio and video consultation is one of the critical components of a successful telemedicine solution. Consistent high-quality video (720p to 1080p) in both densely populated and remote areas that ensures noise reduction, clear communication, and seamless viewing between patients and healthcare providers, minimises misunderstandings and miscommunications. Real-time chat services that allow instant communication and provide a platform for quick questions or follow-up discussions are also crucial. These chat services should be secure and comply with patient privacy standards.
Integrating whiteboard solutions that can share videos, and allow annotation and drawings enables a stronger doctor-to-patient relationship. Consistent crystal-clear visuals and audio can enhance the diagnostic process, facilitate thorough discussions, and enable effective treatment planning.
Utilising real-time transcription services
Every single word in the medical field holds its own importance. Real-time medical scribing services have come forward as a powerful tool that can revolutionise telemedicine practices, greatly enhancing efficiency and effectiveness. These innovative services can automatically transcribe voice and video calls, thereby generating comprehensive written prescriptions/ records for each medical consultation. AR is now used to project focal points based on angular measurements to assist patients in safely performing ordinary tasks at home by themselves. It also assists by displaying visual directions on how to carry out a procedure. VR, on the other hand, is being used to transport patients into digital worlds where they can engage in entertaining activities or games that correspond to their prescribed routines. By leveraging real-time transcription, healthcare professionals can ensure that critical information is noticed during a consultation. This level of meticulous documentation helps maintain accurate and up-to-date medical records.
This can also benefit medical researchers and analysts to study patterns, identify trends, and gain valuable insights into various medical conditions and treatment outcomes. That research and analysis can then be included in a series of virtual prompts for the doctor during patient calls which can save time and make calls more impactful.
Connecting to wearable devices
The potential benefits of harnessing wearable technology for telemedicine are enormous in the age of wearable technology. Integrating wearable devices into the healthcare ecosystem seamlessly provides healthcare practitioners with useful data that dramatically improve patient care and results.
These wearable gadgets can record key health indicators such as heart rate, body temperature, blood oxygen level, respiration rate, sleep quality, calorie intake, and activity levels. Such real-time data can be given to healthcare professionals, allowing them to more efficiently monitor patients, even remotely.
Embracing wearable technology in telemedicine is a step forward towards a more connected and efficient healthcare landscape. The integration of wearable devices fosters a stronger patient-provider relationship and supports a proactive and preventive approach to healthcare.
Leveraging the latest telemedicine trends
Keeping up with the newest telemedicine innovations and trends can also help you get the most out of your solution. For example, the application of AI and machine learning in telemedicine has increased multifold, allowing for predictive analytics, automated patient monitoring, and more personalized care. Including augmented or virtual reality in your telemedicine system can aid in medical training, patient mental health care, and pain management, all of which can improve patient engagement and happiness.
It is critical to stay up to date on telemedicine rules and compliance standards. The healthcare industry is subject to constantly changing rules and norms, and remaining compliant guarantees that patient information is protected and that telemedicine services are offered with the utmost privacy and confidentiality.
Implement a credible and compelling telemedicine strategy
The pandemic has surely boosted telemedicine adoption, and it is here to stay. Healthcare providers may maximise the benefits of telemedicine and create a truly unique experience between their physicians and patients by adopting real-time engagement, utilising real-time transcription, linking wearable devices, and harnessing the latest trends. With a solid strategy in place, providers can ensure that their telemedicine system is resilient, secure, and ready to meet the demands of modern healthcare.
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