Changes we have seen in the healthcare sector: The future of telehealth

The joint effort of the digital medium and technology-based communication has altered the structure of delivering healthcare services in India. Owing to the numerous benefits that accompany advanced technology-oriented services, more hospitals and healthcare facilities intend to integrate them into their operations.

For instance, over the years, the incorporation of telehealth in medical practice has improved accessibility to proper treatment, lowered healthcare costs and modified the means of delivering medical treatment altogether. Collectively, such benefits and resulting popularity indicates a bright prospect for telehealth.

Prospects of telehealth in the healthcare industry

A large number of medical professionals and patients have accepted telehealth as a prominent element in standard health care.

One can further expect these following advancements in future –

More popularity of mobile health

Mobile health or mhealth is among the most exciting trends in telemedicine at present. It has helped individuals to distribute medical information instantly with the help of technology. Besides that, there is a rapid increase in the use of mhealth to self-monitor one’s health closely. All these indicate a bright prospect for this facility in the next few years.

Remote clinical services

Radiology has emerged as a significant field of outsourcing through telemedicine. Consequently, several hospitals and medical facilities are inclined to check out the possibilities of the accompanying options of telehealth in general. In fact, several institutions are already invested in the practice of providing remote care related to mental health, stroke and dermatology.  Also, disciplines like psychiatry and neurology are quite ready to decentralise the employment of telehealth practices.

Reduction in the spread of infectious disease

Telehealth is also quite practical when it comes to containing the spread of infectious diseases. With the help of online consultation, patients eliminate the risk of catching a new infection during face to face check-up. Furthermore, it helps doctors to contain the spread of the same by providing expert advice to patients who show signs of an infectious disease. Collectively, in future, one may expect better management of infectious diseases with the assistance of telemedicine.

Development of efficient paediatric telehealth platforms

Previously, telehealth was considered exclusive to adult patients. However, recently the trend of paediatric telehealth options is on the rise. This trend can help children to access healthcare from places where they feel most at ease quickly. In turn, such a set up will help further this aspect of telemedicine and telehealth in general.

Improvement in physician and patient relationship

Contrary to popular belief, eHealth has emerged as a trend that improves the relationship between patients and physicians. Also, such a feature helps patients with chronic conditions to reach out to their doctors to avail immediate assistance.

Hence, it can be said that over the years, telehealth will further change how individuals provide or receive healthcare altogether. Nevertheless, one question that still prevails is – whether the initial cost of availing treatment in an advanced tech-based healthcare sector will be higher for common populace or not.

Experts predict the subsequent cost of availing remote treatment and accessing quality healthcare will reduce over time. However, the initial cost of accessing advanced technology like 3-D printing, Robotics, etc. may prove expensive at first. So, to account for the same without compromising on the quality of treatment, patients can look for ways to delay their immediate medical expenses successfully.

For instance, Bajaj Finserv Digital Health EMI Network Card helps users to divide the medical expenses into easy to pay EMIs. Cardholders can utilise it to avail cashless treatment from over 5500 partner medical centres in over 1000 Indian cities. Other than that, several features accompany this card.

Feature of health EMI card

These are some noteworthy features of a digital health card –

• It offers up to Rs.4 lakh as a pre-approved limit and helps meet big medical expenses quickly.
• The no-cost EMIs can be paid off within a flexible tenure of 2 years without straining immediate finances.
• With just one card, users can cover the medical expenses of their entire family easily and avail the best possible medical treatment for them.
• The card extends exclusive offers to its users including a complimentary personal accidental insurance cover of Rs.1 lakh for a year. It also provides them with attractive offers and discounts on receiving treatment from partner networks.

Before you apply for a digital health card online, do not forget to check the health card status.

How to check health card status?

The Bajaj Health card gets activated immediately and can be readily used at any of the partner hospitals and medical centres. Typically, individuals have to pay Rs.707 to activate the said card instantly, whereas, the regular card can be availed at a simple joining fee of Rs.589.

Nevertheless, the prospect of telehealth in the healthcare sector is bright and promising. In the upcoming years, individuals can expect improved and far superior healthcare services in India that will not only be readily accessible but will also prove cost-effective in the long run.