The global telemedicine market is predicted to reach a net worth of $130 billion by 2025. In India, this new form of healthcare is slowly gaining traction. Although it is still not as popular a market as in some of the developed countries in the world, interest surrounding telemedicine is continually growing in India. 

• As per a 2019 prediction, telemedicine in India is expected to breach the $32-million-mark by the end of the year 2020.
• The current crisis has, however, re-sized this new segment of healthcare to an almost unprecedented level of growth at 178% until the present.

Medical professionals believe that telemedicine paves the way forward, with impressive facilities, such as remote patient monitoring, digital consultations, and much more. Such inclusion is thus making medical care in India sophisticated as well as easily accessible.

Understanding the basics of telemedicine

Telemedicine is the practice of extending healthcare facilities to individuals through the electronic media. The earliest recorded history of telemedicine was in the first half of the 20^th century when an ECG report was transmitted using telephone lines. 

Needless to say, the method has undergone drastic changes since then. Today, doctors can connect with patients through video calling across global boundaries. Thus, a patient residing in a remote village in India can presently consult his/her physician thousands of miles away in the US or any other location.

Present and future benefits of telemedicine

The novel digital healthcare practice is beneficial to medical professionals, as well as patients, in numerous ways. Here are some ways in which it aids both the parties – 

1. Establishes a fruitful relationship between doctors and patients

With normal consultations, individuals are often reluctant to visit a physician until the symptoms are too severe. It not only delays the necessary medical attention that one may require but also establishes professional care as a last resort, which is in no way ideal. 

An increasing reach of telemedicine to remote locations can, however, significantly contribute to changing this perception among Indians. With quick access to doctors, patients will be more likely to approach them for routine check-ups or otherwise. 

2. Reduces the hassles involved with physical visits

Some patients may be unable to visit a doctor in his/her chamber due to multiple hindrances, like location, inability to travel, current health condition, age-related infirmness, etc. The digital medical segment addresses this issue and ensures that such individuals also avail the necessary medical care from the comforts of their home. For instance, physicians can simply connect over video calls for digital consultations.

3. Access to drugs and medication not available locally

Pharmacies in your vicinity may not stock a particular drug or medication prescribed to you. Before the advent of telemedicine, such a complicacy would result in patients avoiding purchasing such a specific drug. However, doing so would result in ineffective treatment and cure.

• The healthcare apps market is estimated to maintain a CAGR of 31.61% between 2019 and 2024.
• The e-pharmacy sales figure in India is estimated to breach the 10% mark of overall pharmaceutical sales by 2025.

Today, individuals can simply access pharmaceutical apps installed on their mobile devices, upload their prescription and order any suggested drug they require. Therefore, the availability of medication is no longer a major issue, thanks to such telehealth technology.

4. Remote patient monitoring improves treatment outcomes

Lack of compliance to prescriptions is a major concern for many patients in India. Most individuals fail to complete the course recommended by their physicians, stopping medication intake midway. 

Doctors can thus effectively use digital application technologies to monitor such regularity and ensure that patients stick to the prescribed schedule of medications without fail.

However, the cost involved is always a worrying factor for many care seekers irrespective of the mode of healthcare. While digital medical care can help one save significantly, the overall healthcare expenses are still difficult to bear for many. Fortunately, the Bajaj Finserv Digital Health EMI Network Card can help reduce one’s medical liabilities. Since it is a completely cashless financing tool, its use can be indispensable when availing digital healthcare.

Why should you consider owning a health card?

A digital health card can reduce your immediate medical liabilities, converting hefty outstanding healthcare bills into convenient EMIs. Additional features and benefits of the card include – 

1. Substantial limit – Such cards come bearing a hefty credit limit of up to Rs.4 lakh, which cardholders can spend on healthcare and fitness pursuits.
2. One card works for your whole family – If one avails this card, all of his/her family members, including spouse, children, parents and siblings, can also take advantage of its financing benefits.
3. Tenure flexibility – Repayment of such financing is stress-free too since you can choose the tenure spanning between 3 and 24 months.
4. Partner outlets – Cardholders can seek cashless treatments at more than 5,500 partner medical facilities, including multispeciality hospitals, clinics, nursing homes and more, spread across 1000+ Indian cities.
5. Nominal joining fee – Those desiring an insta card would need to pay only Rs.707 as a one-time joining fee to avail one, while for non-insta cards; the fee charged is just Rs.589.
6. Support for a range of procedures, treatments, and consultations – Cardholders can avail financing via this card for more than 800 essential and non-essential medical consultations, procedures, and treatments.
7. Exiting offers and discounts at select outlets – The card issuer runs several promos and offers at select partner outlets from time to time. Paying with the card at these stores can lead to hefty savings and cashbacks for users.

Telemedicine is making a significant difference to the current state of healthcare in India and is poised to do so in the future too. One can further apply for a health card online to finance all or any costly procedures or treatments and complement their reception of such digital healthcare.