Life after Covid-19: Telemedicine set to be lifeline in future

World Health Organization (WHO) defines telemedicine as: The delivery ofhealthcare services, where distance is a critical factor, by all healthcare professionals using information and communications technologies for the exchange of valid information for diagnosis, treatment and prevention of disease and injuries, research and evaluation, and the continuing education of health-care workers, with the aim of advancing the health of individuals and communities. And post break-out of the coronavirus pandemic in early 2020, healthcare providers across the world launched or expanded tele-health platforms with the goal of moving as much care as possible into the virtual realm. In fact, concerned about exposing patients and their families to Covid-19, doctors and other health professionals started expanding tele-health services, using a variety of audio and video technology to make connections.

Telemedicine is actually enhancing healthcare service through easy access. Madurai-based Meenakshi Mission Hospital seems well set to take this to the next level by rolling out Teladoc telemedicine clinics across India, starting with Kolkata. Speaking to Bizz Buzz exclusively, Dr S Gurushankar, Chairman, Meenakshi Mission Hospital & Research Center, outlines his plans and tells how it is going to help even the commonest of the common patients.

You have been one of the first movers in the areas of telemedicine, offering telemedicine services for the last 15 years or so. The demand for telemedicine services is perceived to have grown manifold post Covid pandemic. As one of the first movers, how do you see telemedicine services catching up in India?

Post break-out of the coronavirus pandemic in March, healthcare providers across the country launched or expanded tele-health platforms with the goal of moving as much care as possible into the virtual realm. In fact, concerned about exposing patients and their families to Covid-19, doctors and other health professionals started expanding tele-health services, using a variety of audio and video technology to make connections. Post break out of the pandemic, many practicing doctors and healthcare personnel spent sleepless nights to make medical help accessible to commoners. In most of the hospitals, nursing homes and other healthcare facilities, they ramped up their capacity to handle five times of their existing strength. It was still not sufficient. The other problem was that people with non-Covid diseases were often not getting treated properly, thanks to lack of hospital beds and non-availability of doctors. Reaching out to general practitioners, who are like strong backbone of our healthcare system, also became increasingly difficult, given the current situation. Telemedicine therefore, is the thing of the future and more so given the current doctor-patient ratio in the country and the number of years taken to make a good specialist in any field of medical science. And the trend is catching up very fast.

Meenakshi Mission Hospital has just set up India's first Teladoc telemedicine consultation clinic in Kolkata. Why Kolkata, to start with?

Such advanced tele-consultation clinic was much needed in Kolkata. Every year, many patients from West Bengal come to our hospital for various treatments. This facility brings us closer to people in the state looking for high quality medical care at affordable cost. Teladoc, a global leader in whole-person virtual care, is considered to be the world's most advanced telemedicine platform. We are the only hospital in India to set up exclusive telemedicine centres in select locations across the country, from where patients can connect with experts from various specialists at our hospital. They can avoid unnecessary travel. Besides, the cost of availing services of a tertiary hospital in a tier-II city like Madurai is much less than comparable facility in a large metro. Thousands of patients from West Bengal and north eastern India will benefit from our Teladoc-equipped tele-consultation center in Kolkata.

Where else in the world are Teladoc telemedicine facilities available now?

Teladoc telemedicine services are now being used by six of the 10 best hospitals in the world: Mayo Clinic Rochester, Celeveland Clinic, US, Massachusetts General Hospital, US, Charite-Universitatsmedizin, Germany, The Johns Hopkins Hospital, US, Sheba Medical Center, Israel.

Do you have any plans to eventually expand and have more such centres or would you restrict yourself to only one Teladoc telemedicine centre in Kolkata/West Bengal?

We will immediately add four such centre in other parts of West Bengal- mostly in north Bengal, in places like Malda, Jalpaiguri/Siliguri and so on. We have also lined up an ambitious plan of setting up Teladoc telemedicine clinic by Meenakshi Hospital abroad- in countries like New Zealand, Fizi. There will be four such overseas centres soon.

What would be the advantages like?

The center will allow patients in Kolkata and West Bengal (also north-eastern India) to consult directly with the best doctors from nearly 50 different medical specialities of Meenakshi Mission Hospital in Madurai for diagnosis, consultation and treatment. Powered by internet of things, Teladoc enables specialists of Meenakshi Mission Hospital to provide out-patient consultations, check the vital health parmeters of patients in real time and carry out clinical examinations. The health records of patients are stored on the platform for easy retrieval by specialists. The technology can process patient data to help doctors arrive at better clinical decisions. The cameras and display monitors connected to the Teladoc platform make patient-doctor interactions very effective. As many as six specialists can come together remotely at the same time to diagnose and consult a patient. Besides, there will be doctors and medical staff to do the handholding and explain things to the patients in their local languages. Specialists can also cross-consult regarding a patient and even connect with doctors in other countries.

How expensive is this service?

These services are extremely affordable. Teladoc telemedicine consultancy fee is Rs400 because our objective is not to make money or profit. Our mission is to offer best services to patients.

So what's next?

The Teladoc telemedicine department of Meenakshi Mission Hospital is now taking the technology from episodic, acute care to ongoing monitoring of the chronic conditions, wellness and prevention. The hospital was the first healthcare institution in the country to deploy self-driving Teladoc health robots, two years ago to enable doctors to provide virtual care to patients when the Covid-19 pandemic broke out.