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Here is How Telehealth is Going to Be the Wave of the Future TeleHealth

Here is How Telehealth is Going to Be the Wave of the Future

Sponsored Post | @indiablooms | 09 Dec 2020, 01:05 pm

The need of the hour is effective healthcare solutions, and as the world comes to grips with the coronavirus pandemic, we are once again reminded of the need for better healthcare systems, both domestically and around the world.

This year has been particularly difficult for patients suffering from chronic conditions and illnesses, as they’ve been forced to stay within the confines of their homes. Visiting a doctor or any medical professional has become almost impossible, while the healthcare industry in the country has been confronted by various challenges that had to be addressed.

For developing countries, in particular, advancement in healthcare has been -- and is -- a challenge. Taking India as an example, the country’s demographic and geographical factors were always going to pose significant challenges.

The majority of the country’s population lives in rural areas, where there is a dire need for proper healthcare facilities and establishments. However, the advancement made in healthcare led to the ideation of telehealth and telemedicine, and they are tipped to revolutionize the healthcare industry.

What is telehealth?

In simple terms, telehealth is the facilitation and delivery of health and health-related services, such as medical care, health information services, and self-care through digital and telecommunication technologies. Telehealth includes telemedicine, which involves patient-doctor communication via video and audio calls for diagnosis and treatment of illnesses and chronic conditions. Other technologies used in telehealth include mobile health apps and remote patient monitoring (RPM) systems.

That said, both telehealth, and in turn, telemedicine fall under the umbrella of digital health. Digital health technologies use software, connectivity, computing platforms and sensors for healthcare and its related uses. Furthermore, digital health technologies empower patients to make informed and calculated decisions pertaining to their health and well-being. This in turn could facilitate early diagnosis of serious or life-threatening illnesses or conditions, along with chronic disease management.

How telehealth can be the wave of the future

Telehealth uses digital information and communication technologies, including smartphones and laptops, to remotely access healthcare services, and empower consumers to care for themselves. Some of the advantages of telehealth include:

Greater access

Remote monitoring enables doctors and medical professionals to keep tabs on the patients, without getting them admitted, which results in significant savings for the healthcare providers. Furthermore, telehealth technologies enable patients to connect with their doctors or physicians remotely.

Let us take this year as an example; while most of us haven’t been able to step outside, telemedicine has enabled us to take care of ourselves by consulting a doctor virtually. This greater access to medical professionals is indeed a revolutionary concept, while telehealth also enables doctors to monitor the vitals of their patients accurately through Bluetooth-enabled devices, leading to efficient and accurate diagnosis.

Reduced costs

Telehealth technologies, without compromising on the quality of the service provided, enable both healthcare providers and the patients to save a substantial amount. For patients, they can save on the expenses they would have otherwise incurred for travel and stay, especially those that travel from remote locations or rural areas for diagnosis and treatment. Similarly, providers can save on staff salaries and infrastructure costs, while facilitating greater access to quality healthcare.

Enhanced quality

While some people may believe that virtual consultation may lead to an improper diagnosis, or lower the quality of care provided, it is actually the opposite. Thanks to digital health technologies, doctors and medical personnel can gain access to detailed and in-depth information pertaining to the patient. From their medical history and medical records, to get an accurate measurement of their pulse and heart rates via smart devices; doctors can give an accurate diagnosis while enhancing the quality of care provided to the patients.

Self-care

Through telehealth, patients are also encouraged to achieve positive lifestyle changes, through targeted personal goals and chalking out specific action plans. Furthermore, patients can have a more proactive conversation with doctors and caregivers about their symptoms and pain they may experience, thereby taking greater control of their own health.

Similar to telehealth technologies, digital cards offer greater flexibility and convenience to the patients. One such card is the Bajaj Finserv Digital Health EMI Network Card, which comes with a pre-approved limit of up to Rs. 4 lakh. You no longer have to worry about the expenses you might incur when you visit a clinic or a hospital, or for your diagnostic tests and treatment, as you can convert the total expense into easy EMIs which you can pay over a period of up to two years.

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