Telemedicine is not the same today as it was a decade ago. The practice of telemedicine was not a widely accepted means of doctor consultations until recently. The adoption of telemedicine has been on the rise since the last couple of months due to COVID-19. Let’s take a look at some of the reasons.

Insurance Coverage

Insurance did not cover the services provided, which means that providers did not receive consultation fees.

Awareness

The lack of awareness is another reason. There were only small cohort users of telemedicine at remote locations and Primary Health Centers in some remote parts of India.

Data Security

Consumers had trust issues with data security, and they still have. However, on June 03, 2015, the Government of India released the Data Privacy and Security Standards. These standards issued by the government provided guidelines for the security & privacy protocols that needed to set in motion.

Access to Internet & Devices

In September 2016, the mammoth Reliance Industries launched Jio internet, taking India by storm and bringing home internet to a billion people. This wave caused a considerable shift and increased the adoption of the Internet and Internet services. Crores of Indians quickly caught up on the internet wave by educating themselves. Now, the use of the Internet, mobile phones, and other devices have become part of every household.

The Future Is Now

Prime Minister Narendra Modiji’s Tweet

Fast Forward to June 1, 2020, The Prime Minister’s Office tweeted that clinicians and the masses should be encouraged to use telemedicine services. A couple of months before that, the Government of India proactively released the guidelines on Telemedicine.

Why Will it Work Now?

Telemedicine now has a vital role to play in reducing the risk of infections and community spread. Patients can now consult with doctors using telemedicine from the comfort of their homes and without exposing themselves during transit. The availability of supporting infrastructures such as technology, policies, insurance coverage, and awareness will aid in the adoption of telemedicine.

MyTeleOPD is enabling Hospitals and Clinics in the adoption of telemedicine by making it easier, faster, secure. Moreover, MyTeleOPD complies with the regulations and guidelines issued by The Government of India and The Medical Council of India. If you are Doctor or you would like your Doctor to try out telemedicine, leave your details with us so that we can get in touch with you.