The future of Tele-health

Tele-health is an interactive kind of healthcare method that helps patients to connect with healthcare professionals through media like texting, streaming, zoom calls, videoconferencing etc. To put in a nutshell, long-distance access to health consultation can be called Telehealth facility.

Tele-health …the concept of getting diagnosis, consultation and medical advice in a virtual manner was already being used in certain set-ups. But it took the corona pandemic to make telehealth trigger a change in the healthcare landscape. Before corona pandemic, people would prefer to meet their physicians face to face to discuss their complaints and get medical answers. However due to the fear imposed by the virus and the consequent lockdowns and restriction in movement, telemedicine seemed like the only option and started to grow in popularity. Though born out of necessity, telehealth now looks like a bridge to accessible and affordable healthcare.

It is possible that in the future telehealth will reshape the existing healthcare scenario and that routine consultations may take place more frequently through this medium.

Some changes that are anticipated are:

• Telemedicine will become a mandatory service offered by healthcare facilities :
• There are many chronic conditions that require routine once-in-a month follow-up. Telehealth services can facilitate such routine follow-ups by improving access and convenience.

• Elderly and movement-restricted patients will be benefited :
• Many seniors and physically limited patients find it difficult to go for follow-up or for routine check-ups due to distance of the hospital, lack of assistance, restriction of ambulation, inconvenience etc. These people can take benefit of telehealth facilities for non-emergency healthcare.

• Busy people may choose telemedicine option :
• Long wait hours and queues may be put-offers for the busy patient with hectic schedules. For this stratum of patients, telehealth experience might be beneficial.

• Telemedicine will augment Preventive care :
• For monitoring health conditions like diabetes, hypertension etc, telehealth will serve as the accessible and convenient solution for preventive check-up. This will make detection, diagnosis and treatment of chronic and acute issues timely and efficient.

• Telemedicine will give access to specialist consultation : Gone are the days when a patient had to rush from pillar to post for specialist consultation. Telemedicine can connect the patient to an array of specialists with just a click and ensure that the patient gets immediate access to the best-possible expert opinion. A panel of specialists, all of whom will be experts in their chosen field, will be made available to the patients for 24 hours a day.

Benefits of tele-health:

• Will improve access to preventive and management care
• Will ease healthcare access for incapacitated and elderly patients.
• Will connect patient to the healthcare specialist faster.
• Will reduce overcrowding in waiting rooms and reception areas.
• Will enhance follow-up, diet and exercise counselling and other supplemental procedures.
• Will allow patient to share medical records with their healthcare providers with ease.
• Will allow patients to get consultation from several specialists at one go through conference settings.
• Prevent exposure to corona virus.

Drawbacks of tele-health

• Patients with internet connectivity issues may not get access to telehealth.
• Patients may not have the requisite devices.
• Patients who have impaired technical knowledge or are not comfortable with technology may hesitate to use telehealth.
• Patients may feel embarrassed or hesitant to share intimate and private health issues.
• Patients may have concerns about the maintenance of physician-patient confidentiality.

If you weigh the pros and cons, telehealth seems to be a very promising avenue for accessible and affordable preventive and routine healthcare, especially in India where the escalating population has already pushed our strained health systems to the brink. If you are a health entrepreneur, be sure to make telehealth a part of your strategy because telehealth is here to stay. If you have any questions regarding this new technology, be sure to consult Hospertz Healthcare consultancy firm.

Dr. Vishal Jadhav

hospertz@gmail.com

+91 9820833149 / 9867712705