Treating patients from a distance was beyond imagination only a few decades ago. Now, with the advent of telemedicine, people can get access to doctors with different specializations all over India.
What is Telemedicine?
Telemedicine is a promising way to diagnose illnesses or deliver healthcare services to geographically distant patients with the help of telephonic communication & internet.
Advantages
Telemedicine surged during the COVID-19 pandemic, offering convenient medical help without hospital visits. Particularly beneficial for remote areas in India, it was legalized on March 25, 2020, with detailed practice guidelines. Its market is projected to grow at a CAGR of 21.2% from 2022 to 2030. Registered doctors, including those with MBBS and specialties, can now provide virtual consultations and issue prescriptions.
Disadvantages
Telemedicine can be convenient but challenging in areas with unreliable internet. Its newness raises legal uncertainties, increasing the risk of medical errors and privacy breaches due to extensive technology use.
Top 3 Telemedicine Platforms in India!
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Practo:
Renowned for its user-friendly interface and extensive network of healthcare professionals, Practo is a leading telemedicine platform in India. Offering video consultations, online prescriptions, and appointment scheduling, ensures convenient access to quality healthcare services.
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Tata 1mg:
Known for its wide range of healthcare services, including teleconsultations, Tata 1mg is a trusted platform for online medical consultations and prescriptions. Backed by a team of experienced doctors and pharmacists, it offers personalized healthcare solutions and medication delivery, ensuring holistic care for patients across India.
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PharmEasy:
an e-pharmacy and telemedicine provider, offers remote consultations, prescription refills, and health checkups, enabling patients to access healthcare from home. Its wide range of services includes online medical records and video chats, ensuring seamless connectivity with doctors. Covering over 1,000 cities in India, PharmEasy saves patients time and travel costs while ensuring quality healthcare.
Why is Professional Indemnity Insurance a Must-Have for Doctors Practicing Telemedicine?
Beyond Geographical Boundaries
Telemedicine lets doctors treat more patients, even in remote areas. But it can also lead to misdiagnosis and legal problems because there’s no face-to-face interaction. This is why there’s a rise in medico-legal claims for doctors.
Technological Issues
Relying on technology like video conferences and electronic health records in telemedicine raises the risk of data breaches and cyber-attacks. India’s healthcare industry faces around 2.78L cyberattacks monthly, second only to the US. This increases the chances of problems for doctors, who could be held accountable. Professional indemnity insurance helps in such situations.
Here’s Why You Must Choose CoverYou to Have a Secure Future in Telemedicine!
CoverYou is a registered IRDAI broker that offers multifaceted policies such as Term Insurance, Motor Insurance, Home Insurance, Life Insurance, Property Insurance, Public Liability Insurance, and particularly Professional Indemnity Insurance for doctors. When it comes to Professional Indemnity, CoverYou tops the chart with the trust of 75+ medical associations & 2 lakh+ doctors across the country.
- Comprehensive coverage for all legal notices, ensuring doctors are protected in various legal scenarios.
- Vast network of 10,000+ medico-legal lawyers and collaborations with renowned pan-India lawyers for swift legal support.
- Lawyer allocation within two hours of intimation in critical situations expedites the resolution process.
- Inclusion of senior doctor consultancy for second-level advice, adding an extra layer of expertise.
- Out-of-court settlement option offered, especially for cases deemed indefensible in court, violent, or media-related.
- Complete cashless approach to minimize financial burdens on doctors.
- 24/7 in-house legal and claim service for continuous support, ensuring assistance is readily available at any time.
References
- https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC9111269/
- https://www.insights10.com/report/india-telemedicine-market-analysis/
- https://www.indusface.com/news/indian-healthcare-firms-face-over-2-78l-cyberattacks-each-month/#:~:text=News%202022-,Indian%20healthcare%20firms%20face
- https://www.business-standard.com/finance/personal-finance/over-5-2-mn-medical-malpractice-cases-filed-in-india-annually-shows-data-124042900073_1.html
