Telemedicine – Bringing Convenient Healthcare to Home

With the tremendous rate that the healthcare market is seeing in the recent times, it is expected to have a threefold increase in the coming years, owing to the trends and innovations sprouting up in the sector. Utilizing the recent technological advancements and innovations, the Indian healthcare sector is steering its way forward successfully to provide quality healthcare to the masses. The extensive growth and usage of digital technology in the healthcare industry have revolutionized and transformed the healthcare sector, creating a well-disposed atmosphere to provide quality, cost-efficient services. Particularly, the advanced technology and communications that have heading into the hospital care systems have served to uplift the overall quality of the healthcare facilities and indeed refurbishing them for the better. In that sense, e-health services, remote monitoring, and patient-centric healthcare services/delivery are gaining much attention in the mainstream healthcare, which is alternatively paving way for the emergence of telemedicine in the sector and propelling its growth substantially in the recent years.

Understanding the term “Telemedicine”

Telemedicine is the convergence of medical science and technology. It is one of the most important boon of the digital technology for the healthcare sector that enables exchange and processing of information across the healthcare system for treatment and diagnosis purposes. Today, the emergence of telemedicine has been a breakthrough in healthcare, enabling physicians and patients to connect easily and remotely. Telemedicine has an expansive reach, allowing patients from anywhere and at any time to consult with a physician, without having to leave the home. For chronic patients and aged persons, telemedicine has been a cost-effective alternative to visiting the hospitals. Nowadays, it even enables interactive sessions through technology devices for face-to-face video consultations for getting a quality diagnosis.

Today, telemedicine medical services have become an ever-growing style of healthcare providing numerous advantages for patients, in terms of convenience, efficiency, and affordability. The use of telemedicine has expanded beyond the hospital environment, moving into the homes of the patients. This extended hospital care with remote monitoring tools at home is applicable to so many health conditions ranging from primary care to emergency care.

Citing the benefits of the convenience and reduced costs, more and more healthcare consumers are preferring to adopt telemedicine. As a result, hospitals have started meeting the demands of its consumers, and at the same time, capitalizing on the advances that telemedicine brings into healthcare services/delivery.

Customized in-home Healthcare

With the utilization of internet, 4G devices, and Bluetooth technology, patients are monitored for vital signs and given prompt consultations every day through a single user portal. Telemedicine allows customization of the user portal depending on the patient’s specific health problems and their hospitalization needs. Such in-home monitoring made possible by the telemedicine has improved the health outcomes of patients, particularly those with chronic conditions such as cardiac problems, respiratory issues, and diabetes. Also, with telemedicine services, patients are now in a better position to alert their healthcare providers or caregivers about their health conditions in real time or in case of any medical emergency.

Moreover, this in-home healthcare using telemedicine has helped hospital organizations in reducing in-patient admissions yet keeping the patients in touch with the healthcare professionals, in their own comfort and preference of home. Several hospitals also enable telemedicine to follow up patients after surgery and manage their conditions at home, therefore reducing their hospital stay and preventing any readmissions due to neglect after discharge. Patients are reviewed by the hospital’s authority, and necessary monitoring devices are installed in their homes following the hospital discharge. These monitoring devices help record and send the patient’s vitals such as blood pressure, pulse, weight, and oxygen level to the cloud server through the internet. The collected data is then reviewed by registered medical professionals, and they are validated for healthy levels, and if any concerns arise after evaluation, the patient’s healthcare provider is consulted and he/she determines whether a medical intervention is needed or not. This way, telemedicine services are bringing customized in-home healthcare for the convenience of both the patient and the medical practitioners.

Accessible and Affordable Care

Telemedicine not only helps to meet the expectations of the consumers but also improves the patient experience and health outcome through affordability and easy accessibility. The growing interest in pursuing telemedicine as an alternative largely arises from the consumer’s demand for convenience. It is seen as a cost-reducing alternative to visiting healthcare facilities, as telemedicine holds the potential to provide affordable healthcare at reduced costs through digital engagement. Services like telehealth and e-health provide customers a new digital way to meet physicians and engage in conversations to improve their healthcare experience and satisfaction. Also, by providing the ability to share data in the cloud, patients and healthcare providers can connect with specialists across the world for extended consultations.

Telemedicine also provides increased access to healthcare, eliminating the geographical boundaries for patients. Through digital means, patients can make sure they are in touch with their medical practitioners, even when miles apart. When telemedicine services are incorporated, patients can easily avail the opportunity to manage and improve their health. Since telemedicine enables remote accessibility, patients can reach to their specific doctor, virtually from anywhere, thereby eliminating the need to travel hours to meet the physician. Telemedicine, thus, reduces the need for doctor visits, check-ups, and consultations for any non-invasive circumstances where physical evaluation or procedure is not required. This is indeed valuable for patients, as it reduces their healthcare cost, while simultaneously, providing access to specialized medical care at the convenience of home.

No doubt, amid all the trends and innovations sprouting up in the healthcare sector, telemedicine has gained a prominent growth in the recent years. It is expected that this segment will continually expand and grow over the next few years, benefiting both patients and healthcare facilities equally.

The fast-growing telemedicine market has already become a complement to the conventional hospital care by bringing healthcare to home via telecommunication devices that allow healthcare professionals to communicate directly with patients. Overall, telemedicine has enabled advanced healthcare possibilities for patients, providing increased access to healthcare, reduced costs, improved safety, and better patient health outcomes/engagement. However, for gaining optimum benefits from the telemedicine technology, it is important for the facilities to implement proper equipment that support uninterrupted telemedicine services and offer quality and cost-effective healthcare services, irrespective of the time and place.

International Institute of Health Management Research
Best Health Management Institute Near Dwarka
Plot No. 3, Sector 18A, Phase- II, Dwarka, New Delhi- 110075
Phone: 91-011-30418900
Mobile Number: 91-9313346882 , 9555249998
Fax: 011-30418909
http://delhi.iihmr.org