Telemedicine: Embracing virtual care during COVID-19 pandemic

Area of Science:

• Public Health
• Health Informatics
• Digital Health

Background:

• The COVID-19 pandemic accelerated the integration of telemedicine and e-health services globally.
• Telehealth has become crucial for healthcare delivery, especially for managing mild-to-moderate COVID-19 symptoms and routine care.
• Despite its benefits, large-scale telemedicine adoption remains limited in low- and middle-income countries, including India.

Purpose of the Study:

• To review telemedicine measures implemented during the COVID-19 pandemic.
• To analyze the impact of telemedicine on public health in lower-middle income countries like India.
• To identify barriers to telemedicine adoption by patients and healthcare professionals.

Main Methods:

• Literature review of recent telemedicine strategies during the pandemic.
• Analysis of telemedicine's role in screening, triaging, and follow-up care.
• Examination of adoption challenges in resource-limited settings.

Main Results:

• Telemedicine proved effective for remote consultations and managing COVID-19 cases.
• Significant potential exists for telehealth in improving healthcare access and efficiency.
• Limited adoption in India highlights the need to address user concerns and infrastructure gaps.

Conclusions:

• Telemedicine is a vital component of modern healthcare delivery, particularly during public health crises.
• Addressing patient and provider concerns is essential for successful telemedicine implementation in India.
• Future healthcare strategies must incorporate telemedicine to enhance accessibility and continuity of care.