Dr Sonalika Jamwal
sonalikajamwal@gmail.com
India’s healthcare sector is undergoing a significant transformation with the advent of digital health. Digitization is no longer limited to booking movie tickets, managing bank accounts, or ordering food, it has reached a level which will benefit the citizen’s health by giving them the access to health services with a touch of a button, this will reduce their hospital time and give easy access to medicines delivery at home making the health into a Digi health world now. The government’s initiatives, such as the Ayushman Bharat Digital Mission (ABDM), aim to create a comprehensive digital health ecosystem, improving healthcare accessibility, affordability, and quality. Many private hospitals have their OPDs and their setup digitised but ABDM is creating a digital network which will on board not only Government facilities but Private facilities as well. ABDM creates a citizen ID called ABHA, which is linked via Aadhar ID of the individual. It is a Unique 14-digit identity number and the ABHA ID created is linked to all the Health records of the individual. Along this, the Health professionals, such as Doctors, Nurses, paramedics etc. also register themselves on the National Healthcare Registry Portal and create their Health Professional registration (HPR) ID, which enables to link them to the registered Healthcare facilities on the Health Facility Registration (HFR) created by the Institution. Thus, the Citizens (ABHA) the Healthcare Professionals (HPR,) and the health institution (HFR) all together are the building blocks of the Digital Health system in India.
Key Components of Digital Health System in India:
Digital Health Records: When a patient visits the Digital health facility, all of his health records, such as prescriptions, lab reports, diagnoses, and treatments, will be digitized into electronic health records (EHRs). This will enable seamless sharing of patient data and ensure continuity of care.
Scan and Share: The long lines for the OPD registration are easily resolved by this initiative, in which, by simply scanning the respective facility QR, the patient gets their token and can further easily generate the registration slip without waiting in queue. Also, all your demographic details are automated from you ABHA ID via Scan & Share.
Teleconsultation / Telemedicine (e-Sanjeevani): Remote consultations bridge the gap between patients and healthcare providers, especially in rural areas. Through this, patients unable to visit secondary care hospitals or above can have a Video call with the Doctor for a prescription.
Digital Pharmacy: Medicines will now be available at your doorstep. All you need is to upload the doctor’s prescription and place the online order of medicines just like any other online shopping app. The registered pharmacies through a valid verification process will be able to provide this service.
Health Information Exchange (HIE): Health Information Exchange (HIE) is the electronic sharing of patient health information between different healthcare organizations, enabled by standardized data formats. This secure process allows providers to access a patient’s comprehensive health data, leading to better care coordination, fewer duplicate tests, and improved patient safety, while also contributing to public health efforts.
Interoperable Digital Infrastructure: A federated architectural approach and architectural principles that enable seamless data exchange between different systems and stakeholders. In simple words, it doesn’t matter where you visited in the past, all your health records are synced when you visit a Health Facility for the first time. Your Health records move along with you with no worry of loss of any data.
Mobile Health (mHealth): The use of mobile devices and applications for various health services, making health easily accessible. Various Government and Private PHR Apps have made Health services accessible in a touch, from fitness trackers to appointments to lab tests and results, all available via your Mobile apps.
E-Payments for digital health: Scan and Pay at Hospitals and labs is a digital initiative that allows patients to use the digital wallets and pay easily for the services that they choose to avail. Hospitals are soon moving towards cashless transactions for the ease of the citizens, insurance companies, and various Government schemes.
Benefits of Digital Health in India:
Improved Accessibility & Availability: Digital health services reach remote and underserved areas. Still, now in our country visit to a Hospital consumes the whole day of the patient and his/her family, but with services like Telemedicine, E-Appointment booking, E Pharmacy, and Lab reports at home the time consumed is much reduced.
Enhanced Patient Engagement: Patients can access their health records, track their health, and engage with healthcare providers anywhere and anytime.
Increased Efficiency: Digital health reduces paperwork, streamlines clinical workflows, and improves data-driven decision-making. It also enhances data transparency, thereby reducing the possibility of fraud or misinformation in the system. Loss of data or other clerical errors are almost eliminated.
Better Health Outcomes: Timely interventions, preventive care, and data-driven insights lead to improved health outcomes. Ease of access, availability, and acceptability increase the focus on Health for all.
Challenges and Opportunities:
Data Security and Privacy: Ensuring the confidentiality, integrity, and availability of health data can be a challenge to some platforms. Although all the Government authenticated apps are in place after a series of checks and are constantly evaluated for any breach in their security.
Digital Literacy: Educating patients and healthcare providers about digital health tools. The digital literacy gap in India might feel the change in health-seeking scenario as a burden but mobile phones have entered all lives and have effectively helped in reducing this gap every day.
Infrastructure: Developing robust digital infrastructure to support digital health services. Poor internet connectivity, particularly in rural areas, is compounded by a lack of reliable electricity, insufficient digital devices, and inadequate maintenance of existing infrastructure, resulting in reduced usage of Digital health services and seeking comfort in the conventional way.
Conclusion:
Digital health is revolutionizing India’s healthcare landscape, offering numerous benefits and opportunities. As the country continues to invest in digital health infrastructure and initiatives, it’s poised to become a leader in the global digital health arena. By harnessing the power of technology, India can improve healthcare outcomes, increase accessibility, and create a healthier future for its citizens.
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