The covid-19 pandemic led to a surge in telemedicine services in India, however many healthcare providers had to struggle with the delivery aspect of it. As the governing bodies plan to broaden the scope of telemedicine in healthcare, India’s medical education curriculam must include telemedicine and provide adequate training.
The skills required for effectively employing telemedicine vary from those required in traditional in-person medical situations. Most health practitioners in India lack the competencies needed for effective digital communication. Thus, doctors need to be trained in website manners for remote examination, empathetic communication, dealing with emergent situations, and troubleshooting. To scale up online healthcare, undergraduate and postgraduate programs should incorporate telemedicine in their courses. Short courses and diplomas are already gaining traction indicating an urgent need for training.
The Telemedicine Society of India does its part by raising awareness, updating information, and publishing a newsletter that highlights the applications of telemedicine and its technological, legal, and ethical concerns.