Telemedicine is the practice of providing medical care remotely through telecommunications and information technology. This setup is something that allows the common man to access medical care right from home. It offers easier access to care, quicker solutions for queries, cost savings, and shorter hospital stays.

Individuals who live distant from medical facilities or struggle to access basic healthcare services can now fulfil their fundamental health needs at their fingertips, avoiding the need for lengthy travels to see doctors. Telemedicine reduces stress, prevents salary loss from travel, and improves health outcomes. Let’s understand this in a better way below.

Cost-effectiveness

Telehealth reduces travel expenses and saves costs by enabling early disease detection and preventing hospital admissions. This cost savings from a patient perspective is what makes telemedicine cost-effective and beneficial, meaning, you get effective patient services (compared to null) at lower costs. Now you might wonder what about the healthcare provider? Do they get any benefits out of this? Absolutely! They save money on infrastructure development and recruiting more workers, and it streamlines the process, saving them time and enhancing their job satisfaction.

Quality of care

Yes, telemedicine is more convenient and lowers costs but is it as safe and reliable as compared to in-person clinic visits? Studies, including from Harvard, demonstrate telemedicine’s ability to deliver high-quality care, particularly for chronic conditions. In India where telemedicine culture is in its booming phase, there is a huge scope for assessing quality of care in such set-ups. In order to assess the quality of care at the regional, national, and even organizational levels, WHO has developed a Telehealth Quality of Care Tool (TQoCT), which assesses care based on patient- centricity, clinical effectiveness, and safety.

Pivotal development

After understanding the major benefits, it is essential to learn about an integral advancement that makes it all possible. Digital telehealth technology (IT) allows for remote monitoring and self-management, enhancing patient involvement treatment continuity. This facilitates follow-up appointments by providing access to a comprehensive database that contains all the information that may be needed at any time. In the face of lockdowns and other social distancing measures, this type of technological operation became an important instrument for healthcare delivery.

Challenges and Future

Telehealth faces challenges like limited physical examination, the potential for technical problems, and legal obstacles such as the absence of multistate licensure that make the practice more challenging. Additionally, telehealth presents hazards for fraud, reimbursement, and medical responsibility. It is essential to overcome these challenges and uplift telemedicine standards. One of the many authentic platforms that have already overcome such hurdles is the Jiyyo Mitra E-Clinic. Patients suffering from all kinds of acute and chronic diseases can access this e-clinic and get proper consultation and treatment. Jiyyo Mitra E-Clinic overcomes telemedicine hurdles by providing modern technology and services, influencing healthcare delivery in rural India.

This is but one incredible example of how telemedicine could influence the way that medicine is practiced in underdeveloped nations like India, particularly among its rural populations. Given that India is already at the forefront of digitalization, telehealth is expected to play a significant role in the country’s healthcare system going forward.

Reference:

https://www.cadenzamedclinic.com/post/the-convenience-of-telemedicine-services

https://www.healthline.com/health/telemedicin

https://smartclinix.net/how-does-telemedicine-reduce-costs/

Salsabilla A, Azzahra AB, Syafitri RIP, Supadmi W, Suwantika AA. Cost-Effectiveness of Telemedicine in Asia: A Scoping Review. J Multidiscip Healthc. 2021;14:3587-3596
https://doi.org/10.2147/JMDH.S332579

Jamison DT, Breman JG, Measham AR, et al., editors. Priorities in Health. Washington (DC): The International Bank for Reconstruction and Development / The World Bank; 2006. Chapter 3, Cost-Effectiveness Analysis.

Available from: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK10253/

Snoswell, C. L., Taylor, M. L., Comans, T. A., Smith, A. C., Gray, L. C., & Caffery, L. J. (2020). Determining if Telehealth Can Reduce Health System Costs: Scoping Review. Journal of medical Internet research, 22(10), e17298.

https://doi.org/10.2196/17298

Quinton, J. K., Ong, M. K., Sarkisian, C., Casillas, A., Vangala, S., Kakani, P., & Han, M. (2022). The Impact of Telemedicine on Quality of Care for Patients with Diabetes After March 2020. Journal of general internal medicine, 37(5), 1198–1203.

https://doi.org/10.1007/s11606-021-07367-3

https://hms.harvard.edu/news/telemedicine-can-change-care-better-right-rules

https://www.who.int/europe/publications/i/item/WHO-EURO-2024-9501-49273-73635

https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC7577680/

https://www.sbmabenefits.com/the-pros-and-cons-of-telemedicine/

https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK207146/

https://jliedu.ch/advancements-in-telehealth-and-its-impact-on-public-health/