Telehealth surged during the COVID-19 pandemic, bridging gaps in care when in-person interactions were limited. In India, this shift has accelerated the digital transformation of healthcare, making medical services more accessible. Here are 8 innovative telehealth examples that illustrate the future of healthcare delivery in India.
1. Remote Patient Screening and Engagement
India has widely adopted online patient screening to reduce exposure risks during the pandemic[1]. Healthcare providers like AIIMS used teleconsultations and digital triage systems to assess suspected COVID-19 cases[2]. These tools will continue to streamline patient engagement, particularly in rural areas where in-person visits are difficult. Preoperative lifestyle coaching through telehealth can also minimize hospital stays by preparing patients remotely and providing post-discharge monitoring[3].
2. Digital Front Doors for Patient Access
With a large and diverse population, online appointment scheduling offers a convenient solution in India. Major healthcare platforms like Practo and 1mg enable patients to book consultations easily. Hospitals have integrated telehealth to reduce no-shows, especially for diagnostic appointments like MRIs or CT scans[4]. Patients can check in digitally upon arrival, reducing waiting times and ensuring a smooth process, particularly in urban areas like Mumbai, Delhi, and Bengaluru.
3. Remote Medical Imaging Assistance
India has seen advancements in remote medical imaging, especially in underserved regions. Dr. Nikhil Mathur, Group Chief of Medical Services at CARE Hospitals Group, notes that teleradiology has been implemented in India for several years, facilitating the transmission of ECGs and the interpretation of diagnostic images such as X-rays and scans. This technology has also enabled real-time video and audio consultations, as well as tele-ICU collaborations between multispecialty hospitals and remote healthcare facilities.
The primary goal of teleradiology is to reduce operational costs, particularly for small and medium-sized healthcare institutions that lack the resources to employ a radiologist on a 24/7 basis. As a result, more patients across India can receive timely diagnoses and treatments from expert professionals, no matter where they are located[5].
4. Bringing Ultrasound Expertise to Remote Areas
Tele-ultrasound is revolutionizing healthcare access, especially in rural and underserved regions in India. Although ultrasound technology is becoming more user-friendly, complex cases still require expert intervention. Through live collaboration platforms, experienced sonographers based in metro cities like Delhi or Mumbai can guide healthcare workers in rural clinics.
This enables patients in remote areas to benefit from real-time expertise, as specialized doctors can explain the findings instantly, reducing the stress of waiting for results and improving the quality of care in rural India[6].
5. Virtual Learning for Interventional Physicians
In India, where access to specialized interventional training is limited in smaller cities, telehealth is helping physicians learn remotely. Experts in interventional procedures, typically located in urban hubs, can now train peers remotely via virtual collaboration platforms[7].
For example, a senior physician in a major city like Bengaluru can supervise and provide real-time feedback to doctors in smaller towns, allowing them to stay up-to-date on advanced treatments without leaving their local hospitals.
6. Tele-ICU: Extending Critical Care Across India
Telemedicine is transforming healthcare in India by integrating information and communication technology (ICT) with medical science. With over 1.35 billion people, India faces a significant healthcare disparity, as around 68.84% of its population lives in rural areas with limited services, while 75% of doctors practice in cities. The current doctor-patient ratio is concerning, with one physician for every 1,000 people, falling short of WHO recommendations.
Although India ranks 184th out of 191 countries in healthcare spending as a percentage of GDP, the sector is rapidly growing, albeit slowly in adopting technology-driven solutions. Telemedicine, once viewed as experimental, is now a vital tool for providing specialized healthcare, particularly to underserved regions. The pandemic has further highlighted its potential to enhance efficiency and resilience in healthcare delivery. With government support for ICT initiatives, telemedicine is poised to expand access and improve healthcare outcomes across the country[8].
7. Providing Comfort to Expecting Mothers with Remote Monitoring
Pregnant women, especially those at risk of complications, stand to benefit significantly from remote monitoring technologies. The COVID-19 pandemic highlighted the importance of minimizing in-person visits, as many expectant mothers were concerned about potential infection risks.
Using wireless pads and disposable electrode patches placed on the abdomen, doctors can remotely track vital signs for both mother and baby without requiring frequent hospital trips. These patches are comfortable, waterproof, and can even be worn while sleeping, offering reassurance and continuous monitoring.
In India, where access to specialized prenatal care can be limited, especially in rural areas, remote obstetrics monitoring could transform care for high-risk pregnancies, ensuring mothers remain connected to their doctors without needing to travel long distances.
8. Enhancing Oral Health with Virtual Dental Consultations
Tele-dentistry is an emerging telehealth trend that has gained momentum in India during the pandemic. It provides patients the ability to consult with licensed dentists via mobile apps, eliminating the need for in-person visits.
Patients can upload high-resolution images of their teeth and explain their concerns to receive personalized advice. This is especially convenient for follow-up appointments or monitoring conditions like gum disease.
For dentists, tele-dentistry ensures that patient care continues between visits, while insurers are beginning to recognize the benefits, with some offering full coverage for virtual dental consultations.
This signals a promising future where patients can easily connect with their healthcare providers at any time and from anywhere. This will be made possible through a seamless blend of home-based monitoring, telehealth consultations, and convenient access points located near patients’ residences.
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References
[1] Rajkumar, E., Gopi, A., Joshi, A. et al. Applications, benefits and challenges of telehealth in India during COVID-19 pandemic and beyond: a systematic review. BMC Health Serv Res 23, 7 (2023). https://doi.org/10.1186/s12913-022-08970-8
[2] Chaubey, A. K. (2020, April 30). AIIMS provides teleconsultation facility to help follow-up patients amid COVID-19 lockdown. Zee News. https://zeenews.india.com/india/aiims-provides-teleconsultation-facility-to-help-follow-up-patients-amid-covid-19-lockdown-2280188.html
[3] Lambert, G., Drummond, K., Ferreira, V. et al. Teleprehabilitation during COVID-19 pandemic: the essentials of “what” and “how”. Support Care Cancer 29, 551–554 (2021). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00520-020-05768-4
[4] Rajkumar, E., Gopi, A., Joshi, A. et al. Applications, benefits and challenges of telehealth in India during COVID-19 pandemic and beyond: a systematic review. BMC Health Serv Res 23, 7 (2023). https://doi.org/10.1186/s12913-022-08970-8
[5] Nagesh, J (2024, April 15). Teleradiology: For the last man in the queue. Healthcare Radius.
https://www.healthcareradius.in/diagnostic-radiology/teleradiology-for-the-last-man-in-the-queue
[6] Britton, N., Miller, M. A., Safadi, S., Siegel, A., Levine, A. R., & McCurdy, M. T. (2019). Tele-Ultrasound in Resource-Limited Settings: A Systematic review. Frontiers in Public Health, 7. https://doi.org/10.3389/fpubh.2019.00244
[7] Rai, U., Upadhyay, A., Singh, R. (2022). Telemedicine: A Future of Healthcare Sector in India. In: Choudhury, T., Katal, A., Um, JS., Rana, A., Al-Akaidi, M. (eds) Telemedicine: The Computer Transformation of Healthcare. TELe-Health. Springer, Cham. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-030-99457-0_23
[8] Sageena, G., Sharma, M. & Kapur, A. Evolution of Smart Healthcare: Telemedicine During COVID-19 Pandemic. J. Inst. Eng. India Ser. B 102, 1319–1324 (2021). https://doi.org/10.1007/s40031-021-00568-8
