How to take care of your health with telemedicine?

According to the latest Economic Survey 2019 – 20, the doctor-patient ratio in India stood at 1:1456, which falls short of WHO’s prescribed ratio of 1:1000. Telemedicine in India, however, has provided a much-required reprieve to individuals by striving to address the continually widening gap between the number of doctors and patients.

As per analysts, the market size for this advanced mode of healthcare assistance in India is estimated to grow to $5.4 billion by 2025. Moreover, the current health crisis has accelerated the growth of this market, with more and more individuals relying on remote care to avail necessary consultations. It reduces the exposure to added health problems while ensuring that individuals receive proper treatments.

What is telemedicine?

A digital method of extending medical care, telemedicine is a sub-category of telehealth, which covers the whole gamut of health services via various means of telecommunication. In particular, it refers to remote medical consultation, primarily via video conferencing, but also through audio calls and messaging.

There are several applications, like Practo and Lybrate, in India that provide such digital healthcare facilities. Alongside these, numerous medical practitioners offer remote care services to their patients directly.

With digitisation sweeping the healthcare sector, availing professional assistance for various health problems has never been easier. You can attend to any pressing health concern with minimum hassle. Financing options like health card only make availing medical services more accessible and cost-effective.

How can remote medical care benefit your health?

Current estimations state that telemedicine in India will grow at a CAGR of 31% over the next five years. Several reasons support this growth projection. Here are a few of them:

1. Saves time

One of the primary advantages of medical assistance via telecommunication is the time factor. Personal consultation involves considerable time, including transportation to a doctor’s facility. Given the hustle of urban life, taking time out to seek medical assistance can be a significant inconvenience.

Digital consultations address the heart of this issue. You can avail professional consultation for any health issue without costing yourself time. It allows you to avail the necessary assistance for your health while allowing easy management of professional and other commitments.

2. Reduced exposure

A significant concern that arises in personal consultation is exposure to other diseases. This issue rings true, especially, amid the current health crisis. When you visit a medical facility, you are exposed to an environment that may potentially result in communicable disease transmission, which can further exacerbate your condition. Remote consultations with healthcare professionals eliminate this risk.

3. Accessibility to remote locations

Individuals are often limited to their geographical locations when it comes to availing medical assistance. It can impede proper healthcare, especially for patients living in outskirts or rural areas with fewer numbers of doctors.

However, with telemedicine, you are provided access to a host of medical practitioners, including specialists. It improves not only convenience but also the quality of care one receives. Also, with an array of options at the tip of your fingers, you can be certain to choose one that serves your health requirements and budgetary constraints the best.

4. Less costly

Visiting the doctor personally can be more expensive compared to availing telemedicine services, research suggests. One leading cause of this is that personal consultations and hospitalisations entail a few additional expenses such as travelling costs.

Remote medical care mitigates these issues. With proper directions from the doctor over a call or video-conferencing, you can receive the necessary treatment at your home.

5. Better preventive care

Telemedicine also facilitates better preventive care. You can seek regular consultation from a professional periodically without any hassle and keep at bay the complications of a health emergency. It includes treatment for cardiovascular consultations, diabetes, etc. By getting access to preventive care more efficiently, you can ensure long-term health.

While healthcare has become more accessible and cost-effective with remote healthcare services in action, it can still be financially burdening. Hence, preparedness is of the utmost importance in this regard, especially given the current economic predicament.

Financing tools like the Bajaj Finserv Digital Health EMI Network Card can thus be an ideal financial tool in this respect. Here’s how it can be beneficial –

• Cardholders can access a substantial pre-approved limit of up to Rs.4 lakh with the digital health card. It allows you to address health emergencies promptly and repay the expenses over a tenure ranging up to 24 months.
• With a health card, you are privy to limited-period deals and discounts on digital medical care services and otherwise at partner facilities.
• You can also avail healthcare services across more than 5,500 facilities throughout 1000+ cities in India.
• You can use the digital health card to cover expenses of 800 plus health problems. Some of these are not covered by health insurance policies even.
• With a single card, you can cover the medical expenses of your whole family, be it your parents, children, spouse, or siblings.

You can apply for a health EMI card and receive approval with instant activation against a nominal fee of Rs.707. The health card application process is simple and involves a few steps only. You can avail one now to secure a financial cushion for medical emergencies and as well as expensive services under digital medical care.