The medical industry, for the most part, functions on physical interaction, with a doctor checking the pulse, using a stethoscope, feeling for lumps or peering into the mouth for possible telltale signs. However, such practices are largely suspended as of now given the coronavirus pandemic.
With Covid-19 becoming more unpredictable than ever, healthcare systems across the world, including that of India, are strained. As per the National Health Profile- 2019 data, there are 7,13,986 government hospitals’ beds in total, which accounts for 0.55 beds per 1,000 population. Besides, a number of hospitals have been sealed due to workers testing positive. On April 6, Mumbai’s Wockhardt hospital, for example, was sealed when the count of health workers and doctors testing positive for Covid-19 rose to 54.
Amid this scenario, telemedicine is emerging as a feasible option. Anil Vinayak, GCOO of Fortis Healthcare, told the theindianexpress.com, “The use of telemedicine technology allows healthcare to become more accessible, efficient, and convenient for the patient.”
The concept of virtual healthcare has been around before the world was struck by the pandemic. Back in 2015, the government had launched the Social Endeavour for Health and Telemedicine (SEHAT), a pan-India health initiative to connect 60,000 health structures throughout the country and provide the service irrespective of the geographical location.
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In the current situation, however, the idea of healthcare going digital seems more attractive than ever. Online consultations can prove to be a major relief for healthcare workers. The results are being seen globally too.
In an article in The Economist, it was stated that “America’s medicare programme, which covers more than 60 million elderly people, has said it would allow online patient visits. Also, federal rules were eased to allow American doctors to work across state lines, which is seen as a boon to remote consultations.”
For India, it has been seen that “there has been significant week-on-week growth since online services were enabled after the guidelines by the government were published as part of the COVID response. “At a pan-Fortis level, tele/video consultation accounts for 10 per cent of our pre-COVID OPD consultation volumes,” said Vinayak.
Scope of virtual healthcare wide but caution is key
However, Dr Kaberi Banerjee, Medical Director, Advanced Fertility and Gynaecology Centre, New Delhi says “even when the scope of virtual healthcare is wide, its selection has to be wisely done.”
“Any consultation where a decision cannot be taken without physical examination of the patient cannot be done through virtual healthcare,” said Dr Banerjee. Ishan Singh, a writer, who recently opted for a video consultation, told theindianexpress.com, “I found the entire experience somewhat disorganised and the advice conflicting. I had a severe injury and did two different consultations. This happened because the doctor was not able to examine the injury properly.”
Source: The Indian Express