Telemedicine – A Fast Emerging Trend in India

There is a famous saying that the world is turning into a global village. The interpretation of this phrase extends to its implication of the advancement of science and technology in the global scenario. With every means of communication growing dependent on the internet, reaching out to the farthest corners on earth have become much easier. Be it a corporate entity or a household, computer science and information technology have taken the entire world by storm. The same effect has transcended to the healthcare industry as well.

It is undeniable that this advancement related to technological progress has a lot to offer to the healthcare sector in terms of being able to cater to a larger pool of the population. Here comes the role of the technology which is swiftly gaining prominence in the healthcare industry and that is “Telemedicine.” This refers to the provision of providing healthcare assistance to people living in a distant place right from the health center with the aid of information technology and telecommunication. It is a process through which healthcare services can be made available to even the remotest of patients, regardless of any social or geographical restrictions. Thus, telemedicine in bridging up the gap between the patients and the healthcare facilities making the reach of this emergency service reachable.

The Data Collection and Data Analysis

Since the process of telemedicine directly relates to the information technology domain, there is a wide opportunity of tracing the data pertaining to any patient and the analytics of it.  Through the sensors and mobile apps, data specific to a patient can be captured automatically during any telemedicine session. Such data along with the modern medical devices has proved to be helpful for patients in self-monitoring, and the same is expected to show an upward trend in the coming years as well. The Eco-cardiogram results can now be sent to the doctor without visiting in person through such devices involved in telemedicine practices. This accessibility makes the telemedicine technology the need of the day, which, in turn, also enhances its possibilities for future emergence at a large scale.

The Cloud Access and Mobility

As the global trends show, it is being predicted that by the end of the year 2019, 65% of the healthcare interactions between the patient and the service providers will take place through mobile apps. More than 80% of the medical practitioners already use mobile apps for their practices, and the insurance companies and other ancillary support sectors have also started using the cloud space for storing the data. This helps the patients to access the required data at any point in time minus the hassle of visiting hospitals physically. The far-reaching impact of this development extends to maintaining ecological balance as well as reducing the consumption of papers. Hence, telemedicine is a sustainable process and is sure to move up the ladder.

What’s the Future has in Store?

In the future, more personalized apps can be expected as a part of the telemedicine industry. User-friendly apps like MDLIVE, Express Care Virtual, MyTeleMed are some of the examples that have changed the thinking pattern of the general public in foreign countries in terms of medical services. The flexibility, ease to communicate, and hassle-free service that one gets through telemedicine serve as the fundamental aspect behind the success of this facility. With the adoption of better parity in telemedicine to become a norm, this domain is sure to show breathtaking advancement in the near future.

With multiple advantages cropping out of every corner of this tech-savvy medical practice, telemedicine will continue to show the advancement that it has already registered during its initial growth days. The ease of operation, assurance of timely service, and the extended reach are some of the critical points that are playing as the propelling force for the technology of telemedicine, which has been consistently receiving a lot of appreciation and acceptance from all over the world. However, an important fact that cannot be ignored is that with the pace at which such advancements and developments are taking place in the healthcare arena, there is a rising need for skilled and relevantly educated healthcare professionals to join the industry and meet the rising demands. This is where, we, at the International Institute of Health Management and Research (IIHMR), Delhi, have been preparing and training aspirants with the global standards of healthcare management education to let them deliver their best to the industry. Our students are equipped with the knowledge on the latest of technologies in the healthcare arena and are provided with practical insights into the working of the actual industry so that they step out confidently and attain immense success in the professional sphere.