Teleconsultation and Telemedicine transforming Healthcare Industry and facilitating patients with easy access and remote monitoring
CXOToday had engaged in an exclusive interview with Mr. Arindam Sen, Director, i2i TeleSolutions.
- How technology advancements evolved during the recent years, and how are they transforming the healthcare industry?
India’s Healthcare Industry has seen significant technological advancements in recent years, especially during the Covid period. With the establishment of 638 e-Hospitals under the ‘Digital India’ initiative by November 18, 2021, the use of technology has transformed healthcare facilities across the country. Supported by the Indian Government, advanced services like telemedicine, teleconsultation, and remote monitoring through IoT devices and cloud computing have emerged, benefiting people even in remote areas with limited access to medical specialists. These healthcare innovations are not only improving healthcare within the nation but also extending their benefits to patients overseas.
With such advancements, patients and medical professionals can now conveniently receive and share treatment from their homes or workplaces. Real-time sharing of medical reports has become effortless through smartphones and IoT devices, which are also useful for monitoring major health concerns in patients.
- How is telemedicine and teleconsultation helping patients with major health problems, and how does it make the process convenient for both patients and specialists in early detection of any health issue?
With advancement in technology, telemedicine and teleconsultation have become invaluable platforms for patients and specialists dealing with major health issues such as cardiology, or any condition that hinders patients from travelling long distances. Through teleconsultation, patients can directly engage with doctors via video calls, facilitating treatment initiation without the need for in-person examinations or visits. The real-time information transfer in telemedicine allows for alerts and prompt diagnosis. Moreover, telemedicine and teleconsultation play a crucial role in enabling early detection of health problems. A patient can connect to a specialist either through a local physician or by directly connecting to a medical professional via teleconsultation. By sharing patient medical data, specialists can promptly commence the treatment process, bypassing the waiting time and eliminating the need for in-person visits, benefiting both patients and doctors by saving time and facilitating more patients.
- How can cardiac patients be facilitated by telecardiology?
Telecardiology benefits cardiac patients by fostering new technology and providing access with remote diagnosis and consultation. With Telecardiology a patient can get facilitated with numerous benefits :
- Remote monitoring and timely intervention : By utilizing IoT devices and cloud computing, cardiac patients and specialists can seamlessly exchange real-time alerts for ECG screening, and enable prompt and timely diagnosis for critical situations. This innovative approach minimizes hospital stays, reduces travel expenses, and saves valuable time for the patients and healthcare providers involved.
- Continuity of care : Telecardiology allows patients requiring extended medical attention to maintain ongoing connections with their doctors. They can collaborate remotely to devise and adapt treatment plans based on the latest developments in their health, facilitated by sharing medical reports and data.
- Reduced costs and easy access to specialists : In regions lacking specialists for specific health issues, patients often face the additional financial strain of travel expenses on top of medical costs. However, telecardiology alleviates this burden by offering access to top specialists remotely, thereby eliminating the need for costly travel.
- Which technologies help in Telecardiology treatment and assist patients with remote monitoring, enabling them to receive treatment from their homes?
IoT devices and cloud computing are the technologies that aid in telecardiology treatment and remote monitoring for patients. IoT devices can assist in real-time ECG screening, monitor heart rates, and help maintain cardiac health. They facilitate timely diagnosis and prevention. With cloud computing, medical records related to new developments in health and data from IoT devices can be transferred to medical professionals, enabling them to use it for treatment and diagnosis. This reduces in-person visits and is cost-effective.
- Can you explain how EHRs, AI, and remote monitoring work together to create an effective treatment process for patients?
Electronic Health Records (EHR), AI, and remote monitoring collaborate harmoniously to deliver the most effective treatment for patients. EHRs leverage cloud computing to efficiently manage and store medical data, encompassing treatment, medication, and medical history, fostering direct connectivity and seamless data sharing between specialists and patients. AI integrated with IoT devices enables timely interventions and alarming alerts by interpreting data, aiding medical professionals and patients in early diagnosis and prompt medical attention seeking when necessary. Remote monitoring, made effortless through EHRs and AI within IoT devices, ensures patients receive timely interventions during emergency situations.
- Which IoT devices help with ECG screening to track the heart’s activity in real-time?
Various devices can be utilised for remote ECG screening, including wearable smart devices – Smartwatches or mobile ECG monitors that connect to other devices. Through cloud services, these devices can efficiently transmit data to medical professionals.
- What are the main concerns in India that make it necessary to adopt Telemedicine and Teleconsultation?
In India, certain regions face challenges in accessing the expertise of top specialists especially Tier 2 and Tier 3 cities, leading to delays in diagnosis for patients. This highlights the importance of embracing innovative technologies like Telemedicine and Teleconsultation. These advancements not only facilitate remote access to medical professionals but also help patients manage expenses by reducing the need for in-person visits, allowing them to focus on their treatment and medication.
- Do you think there is a need in India to educate people to adopt technology for their benefit, and how do you think it can be done?
Yes, educating people in India about embracing new healthcare technologies is vital. Many people still prefer in-person visits due to unawareness and resistance to advancements like Teleconsultation and Telemedicine. In regions with inadequate medical facilities with limited access to top specialists also emphasize the importance of educating people about utilizing new technologies for timely diagnosis and treatment. This helps prevent worsening of serious medical conditions due to delays.
Local physicians can guide individuals and spread awareness regarding the remote utilization of innovative technologies for initiating medical treatment and diagnosis. Additionally, targeted health campaigns can be organized in underserved regions, where medical experts can educate people about these progressive developments. The Digital India Initiative by the Government also supports Teleconsultation and Telemedicine, with the goal of establishing a healthcare infrastructure that empowers people to access digital health services.
