Lifeline of Remote India: A Study on Telemedicine units in India
Humanities
Access, equity, affordability, and cost effectiveness are the watchwords of Indian healthcare system. Telemedicine in India is still in its stage of infancy but the impact of Covid 19 pandemic increased the acceptance, demand, and expansion of the Telemedicine technology. In the wake of Covid 19 Pandemic the entire health care system of India is undergoing changes and the need of Telemedicine is significant in this scenario. Telemedicine is not a new concept introduced in Indian healthcare system during Covid19 pandemic, but in the initial period it is limited in the specialized areas of healthcare as well as certain hospitals in the country. The study found that the remote and marginalized rural sections of Indian population began to use the benefits of Telemedicine during the pandemic, and it got diversified in different fields. The socio-economic impacts of telemedicine technology is very promising and the full-fledged expansion through the access of services will take more time. Even though telemedicine is not an alternative to direct interaction with physicians, the system is very helpful for reaching the unreached.
Ref: Shaijumon C S, Lekshmi V Nair (2022), Socio-economic impacts of telemedicine during Covid 19 period, Space Policy (in Press).