By Ayush Atul Mishra
The healthcare industry in India has developed into the second-largest in terms of employment and revenue, according to IBEF. This growth can be attributed to various causes such as the increasing demand for quality healthcare services, advancements in medical technology, and government initiatives to promote healthcare accessibility. This is where the appeal of telemedicine has grown due to technical advancement. In fact, the advent of telehealth has revolutionized the way healthcare services are delivered, providing remote consultations, monitoring, and diagnosis. Hence, this technology has not only improved access to healthcare for patients in rural areas, but has also reduced the burden on overcrowded hospitals and clinics.
Indeed, in the aftermath of the COVID-19 pandemic, the usage of telemedicine technology in the healthcare industry has expanded dramatically. According to IMARC, the India telemedicine market size reached $1.9 billion in 2022 and is expected to reach $10.7 billion by 2028, at a CAGR of 27.93%. This innovative approach allows patients to receive medical consultations and treatments remotely, eliminating the need for in-person visits to healthcare facilities.
Additionally, new trends such as virtual reality (VR), artificial intelligence (AI), and so on are anticipated to further enhance the telemedicine experience by providing immersive and personalized care. Since the field of telehealth is always changing, we may anticipate seeing an increasing number of advancements and breakthroughs in the near future. As a result, healthcare businesses need to be flexible, as the telehealth sector is always changing.
Here, let’s delve into some of the trends shaping the years 2024 and beyond for the healthcare industry:
Cutting-edge technologies as a standard: Given their numerous uses and expanding popularity, it is anticipated that in 2024, artificial intelligence and virtual reality will play a bigger role in telehealth. With the help of virtual reality, patients will be able to interact with medical specialists in virtual settings and have immersive healthcare experiences, enhancing interaction in the whole healthcare process. Conversely, artificial intelligence will be vital to the personalization of healthcare services. Thus, with the help of AI, healthcare professionals can provide more individualized treatment regimens and more thorough patient data analysis with AI-driven platforms.
E-clinic at the forefront: Another significant shift that telehealth will bring next year is a stronger emphasis on e-clinics, which will provide regular doctor consultations to rural sections of the country. Thanks to e-clinics, patients who live in rural areas no longer have to travel large distances. Since, this shift to e-clinics will not only increase access to healthcare for rural residents, but will also alleviate the strain on overcrowded metropolitan clinics. Furthermore, e-clinics can use technology to deliver specialized medical treatments that may not be readily available in rural locations, resulting in better healthcare outcomes for all.
Bigger integration of EHR: With the rise in provider-to-provider telemedicine consultations, there will be some advancements in the realm of using electronic health records (EHR) for remote patient monitoring. As of now, it has been observed that one of the biggest challenges confronting the telehealth industry is the lack of integration with existing EHR systems. Projections for 2024 indicate that this problem will probably improve over time, facilitating medical professionals’ access to patient data and leading to more efficient and well-coordinated procedures. Additionally, patients may access their health information from any device, improving the efficiency and ease of tracking progress.
Telemedicine: The Future of Healthcare!
Unsurprisingly, the emergence of a pandemic has hastened the adoption of telemedicine solutions in order to completely alter the traditional healthcare system. As we look into 2024 and beyond, it is evident that telemedicine technology and trends will continue to evolve, shaping the future of healthcare. As a result, these developments will not only improve healthcare delivery efficiency but will also extend accessibility to quality healthcare for people living in rural locations or with limited mobility.
The author is CEO, Tattvan E Clinics
