Transcript Role of Telemedicine in Medical Tourism

Role of Telemedicine in
Medical Tourism
Dr. SB Bhattacharyya
MBBS, ADHA, MBA
GE Healthcare IITS & IAMI, India
Medical Tourism
Very serious business
Patients are combining a vacation of a
lifetime while receiving care abroad at a
cost lesser than the cost of receiving
the care in home country
Telemedicine
Links up patients and their care
providers separated by geography
Essential cog in the wheels of medical
tourism
Facts & Figures
Size of healthcare industry globally in 2003
was USD 4 trillion
Indian figures
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Growth rate of this industry in 1990s – 13%
Size in mid-2004 was INR 1500 billion
Represents 6% of GDP
Size of medical tourism (currently) – INR 12 – 15
billion
Growth rate of medical tourism – 30%
Predicted growth rate of industry (CCI) over next
6 years – 13%
Medical Tourism Business Process
Has time/money
constraints?
Yes
Choose a
medical
tourist agent
Make contact
with doctors in
the medical
tourist spot
Exchange
information,
make
appointment
Travel to the
country, get
treated, take a
vacation
Travel back
home, follow-up
care locally
Patient has a problem
and requires
quick relief
Have a
problem/query
No
Can be tackled
locally?
Yes
No
Contact foreignbased doctor;
Get advice
No
Yes
End of Encounter
Problem alleviated/
query addressed?
Telemedicine Business Process
Has appointment?
Yes
Visits the telemedicine
center
Establishes linkup
with care provider
Telemedical
Consultation
Performed
Patient requires
telemedicine
consultation
No
Make an
Appointment
Yes
No
End of
Telemedical
Encounter
Requires another
consultation?
High Level Requirements
Role Based Access Control (RBAC)
Audit Trail
Referral Module
Appointment Scheduling Module
EMR
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Clinical Notes
Medical Administration Record
Results Review
Discharge Summary
Follow Up Visit Records
Online Teleconsultation (including videoconferencing)
EMR in Telemedicine
Allows the stakeholders to exchange
information quickly and efficiently
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Quick access
Quick search for appropriate information ondemand
Quick add, edit, store, transfer and display/view
Allows patients to carry their medical records
much easily
Greatest challenge today – lack of acceptable
standards
Conclusion
Both medical tourism and telemedicine
are here to stay
Today a “want”, tomorrow a “need”
Without telemedicine, the medical part
of medical tourism is incomplete
By allowing patients and their care
providers to remain in touch ondemand, the process becomes more
efficient and workable
Thanks!