Telemedicine sector – Its meaning and benefits you should know
Technological advancement has led to a massive shift in the way the healthcare sector functioned. Today, due to high-speed internet connectivity and smartphone penetration, acquiring quality healthcare is easier than ever before. Patients from remote locations can simply connect with a specialist physician through video-conferencing, rather than travelling thousands of kilometers for a face-to-face consultation.
This ability to bridge the gap between patients and affordable care is the primary benefit of telemedicine. Before proceeding to list the various benefits of this specialized sector of healthcare, one should learn what the sector of remote healthcare monitoring represents.
What is telemedicine?
It refers to the transfer and/or exchange of medical data from one location to another using the electronic media. Services under the system can refer to something as simple as exchanging notes on a particular patient over email. Also, it can refer to connecting with patients over the phone, through text chats, and on video calls.
Another example is the use of smartphone applications to monitor the vitals of an ailing individual or delivering one’s prescribed medication to his/her doorstep. Regardless of the specific service an individual seeks under this sphere of healthcare services; such technology has increased the accessibility of medical care to consumers.
Advantages of using telemedicine
While one may mistake telemedicine as only beneficial to patients, this mode of providing medical care services is equally helpful for healthcare professionals as well. Listed below are some of the advantages of opting for virtual consultations–
●Eases the ability to find the necessary medical care
Before the advent of advanced healthcare communications technology, ailing individuals often failed to locate specialists primarily due to the geographical limitation imposed by their place of residence. Introduction of such communication technology to healthcare has paved the way for patients to seek quality medical assistance not just within India but abroad as well, all without leaving the comforts of their home.
●Reduced treatment expenses
Receiving remote medical assistance can be cheaper than face-to-face consultations as it eliminates the need for maintaining a physical healthcare facility. Moreover, individuals do not need to spend money commuting to the clinic, thereby leading to additional savings. While travelling expenses may seem minor, repeat visits to the doctor over the years can lead to substantial expenses in the form of travel ticket bookings or fuel purchases.
●Improved accessibility for the elderly and physically challenged
Individuals in their advanced age or those suffering from disabilities face the greatest challenge when it comes to seeking treatment in a traditional healthcare setup. Several clinics are ill-equipped to handle the specific demands of these demographics, especially in India.
Telemedicine thus offers an alternative for these individuals when seeking healthcare services. They can book treatment procedures or consult with their primary caregivers on the internet, avoiding the need to step out of their homes for routine check-ups.
●Safeguards individuals from communicable diseases
Visiting a doctor’s clinic is often risky, especially for those with a compromised immune system. These enclosed spaces often contain germs and infectious diseases, thanks to the countless other patients waiting for their turn. Thus, it is quite simple for one to pick up infections from others at the clinic resulting in a critical health issue, which is a risk eliminated when availing medical aid from a remote location.
●Improves time management for physicians
Remote consultations allow a physician to follow up on more patients when compared to physical visits. Thus, a doctor can take up more patients using telemedicine.
●Ensures compliance in patients
A quality healthcare professional does not always guarantee the best outcome in patients. Since ailing individuals often digress from the recommended medication schedule or stop medications midway through their course, the recovery may take more time than required.
Remote communication, nevertheless, allows doctors to monitor their patients easily. Specialized phone apps and such other useful measures ensure that individuals stick to the recommendations of their doctors for the best possible results.
However, the technology is still in its nascent stages in India. Private hospitals where these services are available may charge substantial sums for them. Fortunately, if you hold financing tools like the Bajaj Finserv Digital Health EMI Network Card, such advanced healthcare services are easily affordable.
What does the health card offer?
The following features of the health EMI network card make it an essential financial product to avail, especially for those who suffer from several health issues. Have a look at these things-
●Conversion of medical bills into equated monthly instalments, with tenures ranging up to 24 months.
●Substantial pre-approved limit of up to Rs.4 lakh on each card
●Support for more than 800 essential and non-essential medical services and procedures.
●Wide range of network facilities, numbering more than 5,500 and spread across 1000+ cities in India.
●One card supporting the medical expenses of the entire family, including cardholders, their spouse, children, parents, and siblings.
●Instant activation with joining fee of Rs.707 and a joining fee of Rs.589 for non-insta variants.
●Attractive discounts at select outlets when using this card to pay for medical expenses.
This financial tool can help you avail telemedicine services along with many such advanced healthcare procedures, more often than not also paying for various illnesses not covered under a health insurance plan. You can apply for this health card online and receive approval instantly with the right eligibility.