Online Consultation for Paediatric Care grows at 250 per cent year on year: Practo

Online consultation for paediatric care grows at 250 per cent year on year, said Ajay Alexander, Head – Medical, Practo at the recently held 4th Annual National Conference-SIMULUS at All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS), New Delhi. The event aimed at raising awareness about the need for high-quality healthcare and use of technology in paediatric care. People from international and national paediatrician society were also a part of this event.

Alexander spoke about how Practo recognises the need for building a one-stop shop for all healthcare needs and all its offerings viz searching and booking an appointment with a doctor at his/her clinic or hospital, 24/7 online consult with 60 seconds Turnaround-Time (TAT), diagnostics and medicine delivery, sometimes within two hours, are tailored to that effect.

He also said, “Digital healthcare holds possibilities for transformative outcomes unimagined before. Paediatric care is a prime example of how online consultation offers peace of mind to parents by helping with a trusted, verified doctor’s advice at odd hours, during the time of an emergency, or even for any follow-up questions. It’s one of the fastest growing speciality in online consultation at 250 per cent yera on year growth, and goes a long way in furthering our vision to help Indians live longer, healthier lives.”

Safety and real-time accessibility is of primary concern, especially in the field of paediatrics and neonatal emergencies. Dr Rakshay Shetty, President and Founder Member, PediSTARS India, said, “Paediatrics has emerged as one of the fastest growing specialisation in India and online consultation has played an important role in ensuring quality care is delivered at all times. It acts like our extended arm to ensure patients get the care they need, and have someone to fall back on, when a doctor cannot be reached physically.

Dr Jhuma Shankar, Assistant Professor, Department of Paediatrics – AIIMS, and Organising Secretary, SIMULUS 4, further added, “ The changing patient behaviour, demand for 24X7 healthcare and the impact on preventive healthcare are all gradually disrupting the healthcare landscape in India. It’s heartening to see new-age healthcare players like Practo support important causes like these, that are meant to change the face of quality healthcare in future.”