e-Health Care: A Techno Medical Revolution

 

Bhuvaneswari R¹, Umamaheswari. S²

¹SSL English Division, VIT University, Chennai-600127.

²SAS, Mathematics Division, VIT University, Chennai-600127.

 

ABSTRACT:

Background: Technological advancement has revolutionized various aspects of healthcare sector.  The term e- Healthcare and its usage evolved in 1990s. The global term, e- Healthcare is a reference to everything that is related to computers, internet and medicine. e- Healthcare is relatively a new phenomenon and rapidly growing sector in India. It includes clinical customer services, storing health records, sharing health information, health surveillance, healthcare courses, programs and research. Though there are unprecedented e-services happening in health care sector, identity or data theft is considered as one of the major issues in e-health care.

Methods: The study aims at analyzing students’ e-health preference and readiness through a survey questionnaire among engineering undergraduates in Chennai.

Results and discussion: A survey analysis is attached to figure out students’ e-health readiness. The study also reveals the lack of opportunities to use internet and apps for health. The lack of awareness about e-health in India is majorly because of no or slow access to internet in rural areas. Though doctors prefer online services, students are worried about cyber security and threats. Students opinion that Government and Health care service providers should safeguard patients’ identity by ensuring individual’s right to privacy and dignity.

Conclusion: Various parameters available in the form of technology are discussed and successful national healthcare startups are listed to focus on ‘Health care to every citizen’. This paper aims to analyse students’ preference for e-healthcare services in India.

 

 

INTRODUCTION:

Good health is above wealth and a healthy man is considered as a successful man. Healthy citizens make way to economic growth and prosperity of a country. The constitution of India states that, ‘Health in India is the responsibility of state governments’. Government of India has designed various policies and strategies pertaining to health care sector through five year plans. Health care policies and plans are delayed for various reasons like budgetary concerns, poor quality, non-availability of diagnostic tools, experienced health care providers in rural areas and rise of private health care sector. Despite challenges, health care professionals in India rely on extensive experience and e-Healthcare services.

 

The term e- Healthcare and its usage evolved in 1990s. The global term, e- Healthcare is a reference to everything that is related to computers, internet and medicine. The most frequently cited and read article, What is e-Health?[2] defines, e-Health as an emerging field in the intersection of medical informatics, public health and business, referring to health services and information delivered or enhanced through the Internet and related technologies. In a broader sense, the term characterizes not only a technical development, but also a state-of-mind, a way of thinking, an attitude, and a commitment for networked, global thinking, to improve health care locally, regionally, and worldwide by using information and communication technology.[1] reviews on consumer health seeking information on the internet discuss the essential communicative and transactional excellence of Internet usage. As E-health turn out to be an escalating field, irrespective of all basic factors it also opens a new window for online sexual health services. [10] study the potential benefits and challenges in providing and accessing sexual health services online where they utilize the RE-AIM model as an administrative principle. With the development of innovative and sensational HIT prospects, eHealth tools should be designed to connect the right information required by different audiences at the right time, in the right place, also it must be collaborative, accessible, attractive, flexible, and user- friendly for different followers. [5,6] present a review article in the design of productive and compassionate eHealth applications for the benefit of strategic development and implementation of health information technology that boost the promotion of fitness. The characteristic of optimizing and sustaining these services lies in the successful interaction between patients and health services. [9] project a collaborative patient-centered system for constant monitoring of the service quality.

 

Health and Technology:

Technological advancement has revolutionized various aspects of health care sector. e-Health care stands for an easy, efficient and effective medical care services. Integrating technology in health care sector includes clinical customer services, e-prescription, storing health records, sharing health information, health surveillance, healthcare courses, programs and research. There are a number of software and apps available with easy access to monitor health like blood pressure, blood sugar, heart rate, etc. Tailor made devices like apple watches, Fit Bits, Mircam help to track and improve one’s health. Android apps and ios in smart phones help people to book medical test and retail medicines online, track orders and health reports and avail health care services. The “Eye phone app”, an android application is used in ophthalmological study and examination. Experts and patients can share their experience on blogs, social media and social networking sites like Facebook, Skype, twitter and WhatsApp. Patients can upload information and video chat with the doctors online. Video conference can be done by using desktops, laptops, mobiles, tablets or through their portal. Doctors and health experts recommend Selfies and use pictures which can be used to monitor and detect health problems like monitoring various stages of cancer and advising patients on the best techniques of oral hygiene. Researchers at university of Rochester developed a programme that lets a cell phone or computer record a person’s mental health through images from selfie videos[8]. MobileODT by Tel Aviv-based startup and Smart CARD use advanced optical technology to detect cervical cancer and cholesterol level. Smart phones capture bio medical images and detect cholesterol using biomarkers in a drop of blood, sweat and saliva. There are also online platforms for patients and doctors to share and learn health.

 

 

Startups in health care sector:

There is unprecedented Startup activity happening in health care sector. Indian government Digital- India plan help Startups to build cheaper medical devices which are tailored to India’s needs. Indian Startups in healthcare sector is taking on global giants despite struggles like high cost, raising funds and lack of mentors. Curofy, Docplexus, PlexusMD, Swaas systems are among startups building social network for doctors.

 

Docplexus:

Docplexus, an online platform aims at a community of doctors across the country where they can learn from each other and has discussed 15,000 clinical cases so far.

 

Dr Bond:

Dr Bond, a doctor’s companion is an app created by Swass systems. Doctors upload articles, photos, videos and post queries of medical interest. The app also releases news digest, bulletins and articles. The drug search feature enables doctors to discuss composition, dosage and side effects.

 

Curofy:

Curofy, an app extended to medical student community has over 1.20 lakh doctors from 800 cities. It is an app to discuss difficult medical cases, read latest news and request medical equipment’s.

 

Plexus MD:

PlexusMD opens up platform to hospitals to post Job vacancies

 

Net-meds.com:

One of the most trusted pharmacies with over 100 years of experience has gone from offline to online. Net-meds.com, an online pharmacy has more than 5 lakh users and a range of 25.000 drugs and medical devices.

 

Web based epidemic prone infectious disease notification system:

Tamilnadu state health department is planning to develop a web based application to map outbreak of infectious diseases. The centralized ‘web based epidemic prone infectious disease notification system’ can be utilized by government and private hospitals. Doctors can upload symptoms, preventive measures and lab reports of vector- borne diseases and the app allows public to clarify doubts on website. It was carried out successfully offline on a pilot basis during Chennai December 2015 floods. This web based application will quickly alert the health officials of particular locality to work on preventive measures like vaccination, fogging and chlorination of water.

 

 

The aim of these startups is to provide quality healthcare for public and the health online market is expected to grow in the coming years.

 

Doctors online preference:

Indian doctors prefer digital over face-to-face interactions. According to a global survey done on the digital habits of doctors by healthcare solutions company, Indegene, doctors in India are using a mix of channels such as video calls, Apps, emails, text messages etc. This is a paradigm shift from the earlier face-to-face interactions considered as the only channel to meet the doctor.[3] The Digital savvy HCP Survey 2015 conducted in USA, China, Japan, India and ROA (Rest of Asia) has a participation of 1600 respondents. The survey shows that Indian doctors are on a par with US counterparts in using online channels such as face to face tablet, webinars/webcasts, e-mail, websites, apps and text messaging.

 

Table (1): Comparative study on Doctors online preference between India andUSA

Doctors Online Preference	India	USA
Face to Face Tablet	90%	76%
Online -  Dealing	55%	54%
E - Mail	56%	53%
Websites	46%	55%
Medical Science Liaison	56%	44%
Webinars / Webcasts	40%	50%
Tele Rep	35%	34%
Apps	36%	27%
Text Messaging	31%	29%

 

 

Fig 1. Doctors online preference

Source: digital savvy HCP (Health Care Practitioner) 2015

 

This new world of e-Health care provides cheap and effective medical services at one’s doorstep. India is currently seeing a major proliferation of companies – especially start-ups – that bring the very best doctors, nurses, medication, and medical services right to your doorstep. A survey conducted by Consumer Online Foundation and BRIEF (Bureau of Research on Industry and Economic Fundamentals) reveals that 61% of Indians prefer to order medicines online of which majority are senior citizens in the age group of 55-74. e- Healthcare is relatively a new phenomenon and rapidly growing sector in India. The right mix of technology and health is truly a successful one with a plethora of medical services available round the clock in every part of the country.

 

 

Students E-health readiness:

The study aims at analyzinge-health preference and readiness through a survey questionnaire among engineering graduates in Chennai. Though the students are aware of e-health care, maximum number of them do not have any direct experience in using e-health services and have apprehensions to use e-healthcare services. Students with comparatively less knowledge about e-health care have the following misconceptions.

·        They believe that e-healthcare services are not cost effective.

·        They fear exchange of medical records as it would lead to disastrous effect on patients’ health and data threat, as their records can be accessed by anyone.

·        Usage of Self-monitoring health care devices and less time consumption has not been a major merit when it comes to Cost savings.

When it comes to prioritizing the primary measurable objectives in the e-healthcare system, almost half (50%) of them who has knowledge about this system responded that Quality control is significantly achieved through it. Patients can consult a specialist doctor from any nook and corner of the world. The survey results are attached to figure out students’ e-health readiness.

 

E-Healthcare: Are we ready for a new change!

Are you aware of e-healthcare?

 

Are you aware of e-pharmacy?

 

Are you aware of e-consultation?

 

As engineering students use computers and have the most internet usage on daily basis, it is evident that 90% of students are aware of e-healthcare. Majority of students i.e. >50% know about e-healthcare services but are hesitant to use for the following reasons.

 

·        When students search internet for health related problems, they land up on discussion forums which are an integral part of the e-healthcare, e-pharmacy, and e-consultation.

 

 

 

·        Internet is flooded with a lot of information but majority of the information are not from the trusted source. There are a lot of fraudulent internet sites where they believe that the patient would be misled

·        Around 33% of students are not aware of e-healthcare or the services because there is a possibility that they have their own family doctor whom they trust and believe that diagnosis is better done face to face rather than self-diagnosis.

·        They are unable to avail e-healthcare services due to poor internet connectivity.

 

Do you think fitness and activity trackers create health awareness?

Looking at the exponential rate of advancement in electronics, will you be comfortable in embedding a device to monitor your health?

 

About 31% students feel that the fitness and activity tracker may create awareness among them which will obviously promote the new and upcoming trend of fitness lifestyle.

 

It is also seen that a whopping 50% of students are ready to embed device in their body and a 17% of students almost ready, provided there is a need for constant up gradation of embedded bio-electronics and sensors. At the same time studentsare wary of bad or side-effects. A lot of research is needed to work on devices to eliminate risks that the medical device may impose on the user.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Do you feel there would be any privacy breach while using e-healthcare, e-pharmacy or e-consultation?

 

 

Would you feel comfortable sharing your personal info with the concerned person/doctor via medium?

 

Would you feel comfortable to share your health details in an open forum for research purpose?

 

 

31% students feel that privacy of the patients may be infringed. Identity or data theft is considered as one of the major issues in e-health care. Government and health care service providers should safeguard patients’ identity by ensuring individual’s right to privacy and dignity.

 

Conclusion:

Most of the people living in rural India are deprived of health care services, which in certain cases lead to death. There are Startups collaborating with companies to open e-Kiosks in rural areas. Though there is unprecedented Startup activity happening in health care sector, some private sectors fail to extend their support in rural areas. The study also reveals the lack of opportunities to use internet and apps for health in rural India. Though doctors prefer online services, students are worried about cyber security and threats. Indian ministry of health and family welfare is focusing on e-Healthcare services to help the needy people deprived of health services and create awareness about various health programmes, schemes and free medical treatment. There are telemedicine platforms and digital health surveillance systems supported by ISRO(Indian Space Research Organization) and Ministry of  communications and Information Technology. Despite challenges, Digital India plan helps in bridging the gaps between governance and health sector. e-Healthcare stands by the proverb, ‘Prevention is better than cure’ and will transform the health system from health cure to awareness.

 

References:

1.       Cline R.J.W and Haynes K.M. Consumer health information seeking on the internet: the state of art. Health Education Research Theory and Practice.2001; 16(6); 671-692.

2.       Eysenbach G. What is e-health? J. Med Internet Res2001; 3 (2); E20.

3.       Indegene’s Digital Savvy HCP report 2015:Indian Doctors Bridge Digital Divide With Us Peers. Available from: http://www.cityairnews.com/content/indergene%E2%80%99 s-digital-savvy.

4.       Networked India. Available from: http://www.networkedindia.com/doctor-doorstep-5- companies-bringing- healthcare-home/2016/06/21.

5.       Neuhauser L and Kreps G.L. The advent of e-health: how interactive media are transforming health communication. Medien and Kommunikations-Wissenchaft. 2003; 51:541–56.

6.       Neuhauser L and Kreps GL. Online cancer communication: meeting the literacy, cultural and linguistic needs of diverse audiences. Patient EducCouns. 2008; 71; 365–77.

7.       Pharma future. Available from: http;//s3.amazonnaws.com/assests.fercemarkets.net005-LifeSciences/indegenereport.pdf.

8.       Pushpa. Narayanan. Selfies for a picture of GOOD HEALTH. The Times of India 2016 , July 21.

9.       Stefania Rubrichi, Andrea Battistotti and Silvana Quaglini. Patients’ involvement in e-health services quality assessment: A system for the automatic interpretation of SMS-based patients’ feedback. Journal of Biomedical Informatics 2014; 51:41-48.

10.     Victor Minichiello, Saifur Rahman, Tinashe Dune, John Scott and Gary Dowsett. E- health: potential benefits and challenges in providing and accessing sexual health services. 2013; 13:790; 1-7.

 

 

 

Received on 13.09.2017         Modified on 01.11.2017

Accepted on 24.11.2017      © RJPT All right reserved