What is Telemedicine in Healthcare & It's Advantages?

Telemedicine is a rapidly growing field that has the potential to revolutionise healthcare in India. With a population of over 1.3 billion people and a large percentage living in rural areas, telemedicine has the ability to provide affordable and accessible healthcare to millions of Indians. The government has undertaken different initiatives to educate people more about this. In this article, we will learn more about telemedicine, its advantages and how your health insurance comes into view.

What is Telemedicine?

Telemedicine refers to the use of technology, such as video conferencing, remote monitoring, and mobile health apps, to deliver healthcare services remotely. This allows patients to receive medical care from the comfort of their homes and reduces the need for physical visits to hospitals and clinics. The advantages of telemedicine in India are numerous and significant.

Advantages of Telemedicine

It is important to understand the advantages that telemedicine has. Following are some of the advantages of this facility:

1. Increased Access to Healthcare

In a country as large and diverse as India, many people living in rural areas have limited access to healthcare facilities. Telemedicine allows doctors and healthcare providers to reach patients in remote areas who may not have access to healthcare otherwise. Patients can receive consultations, diagnoses, and treatment plans from healthcare professionals without the need to travel long distances, thus saving time and money.

2. Improved Quality of Care

Telemedicine also has the potential to improve the quality of care provided to patients. Doctors and healthcare providers can use technology to monitor patients remotely, track their progress, and adjust treatment plans as necessary. This can result in more personalised care and better outcomes for patients. Telemedicine can also improve communication between doctors and patients, reducing the risk of misunderstandings or miscommunications.

3. Cost-Effective Healthcare

By reducing the need for physical visits to hospitals and clinics, telemedicine can save patients’ time and money. Patients may also be able to avoid the costs associated with travel, such as transportation and lodging. This can be especially beneficial for patients living in remote areas who may have to travel long distances to receive medical care. Furthermore, with health insurance providers offering telemedicine coverage, the costs can be taken care of even more easily.

4. Reduced Waiting Times

In traditional healthcare settings, patients may have to wait weeks or even months to see a specialist. Telemedicine can reduce wait times by allowing patients to receive consultations and diagnoses from specialists remotely. This can help ensure that patients receive timely care and can prevent conditions from worsening.

5. Improved Public Health

By providing affordable and accessible healthcare to a larger number of people, telemedicine can help to prevent the spread of infectious diseases. It can also improve the management of chronic diseases, such as diabetes and heart disease, by allowing doctors to monitor patients remotely and adjust treatment plans as necessary.

Challenges to Telemedicine in India

While the advantages of telemedicine in India are significant, there are also several challenges that plague it. The challenges include:

1. Lack of infrastructure

One of the main challenges is the lack of infrastructure in many rural areas. In order for telemedicine to be effective, patients need access to high-speed internet, smartphones, and other technology. Without these resources, telemedicine may not be accessible to many people in rural areas.

2. Not enough manpower

Another challenge is the need for trained healthcare professionals. In order to provide effective telemedicine services, doctors and healthcare providers need to be trained in the use of technology and remote healthcare delivery. This requires specialised training and resources, which may not be available in all areas of India.

3. Safety and security

Finally, there are concerns about the security and privacy of patient information in telemedicine. Healthcare providers need to ensure that patient information is secure and protected, and that patient privacy is respected. Also Read: Preparing Medical Records for Your Online Doctor Appointment

Telemedicine and Health insurance

It is natural to wonder: does your health insurance policy cover services availed through the telemedicine facility? The answer is yes, it does. The insurance regulatory body has directed medical insurance companies to include telemedicine as part of their coverage. #  This means if you avail telemedicine, you can file a claim to get compensation for the same.* You can claim compensation for telemedicine if you have included OPD cover for the following types of health insurance plans

1. Individual medical plans
2. Health insurance plans for family
3. Senior citizen medical plan

Conclusion

Despite these challenges, telemedicine has the potential to revolutionize healthcare in India. By increasing access to healthcare, improving the quality of care, reducing costs, and improving public health, telemedicine can have a significant impact on the health and well-being of millions of Indians. Ensure to discuss more about telemedicine and its coverage in your health insurance policy with your insurer.   *Standard T&C apply #Visit the official website of IRDAI for further details Insurance is the subject matter of solicitation. For more details on benefits, exclusions, limitations, terms, and conditions, please read the sales brochure/policy wording carefully before concluding a sale.