Telemedicine - Meaning, Benefits, Cost and Real Examples

Telemedicine has greatly benefited from the internet, and today, telemedicine can be synchronous or asynchronous.

Real-time video conferences are examples of synchronous telemedicine, and email correspondence is an example of asynchronous telemedicine.

Examples of telemedicine

Telemedicine is especially helpful for managing chronic conditions. You can use it for:

• Viewing lab test or X-ray results
• Managing mental health conditions
• Treating recurring issues like migraines or urinary tract infections
• Addressing common problems such as coughs, colds, or stomachaches
• Managing or renewing prescriptions
• Diagnosing skin conditions
• Accessing physical or occupational therapy
• Getting treatment or follow-ups for ADD or ADHD
• Monitoring long-term conditions like diabetes or high blood pressure

You can also schedule telemedicine appointments to:

• Follow up on ongoing health concerns
• Speak with your therapist or psychiatrist
• Order diagnostic tests or review results

How telemedicine works?

Telemedicine allows you to receive healthcare in different ways, depending on what your doctor provides. The two most common methods are:

• Patient portal: This is a secure online platform where you can log in with a username and password to communicate with your doctor or nurse. You can send messages, request prescription refills, book appointments, and access test results. It’s usually quicker than waiting for a phone call.
• Virtual appointments: These are consultations done over phone or video calls. Many doctors, urgent care providers, and mental health professionals offer virtual visits, making it easier to get care without travelling.

Applications of telemedicine

Telemedicine supports healthcare delivery across various needs, making care more efficient, timely, and accessible. Here are some major areas where it proves useful:

• Chronic disease management: Helps patients regularly monitor conditions like diabetes or hypertension without frequent hospital visits.
• Storage and sharing of medical records: Enables secure storage and transfer of test results or diagnostic images for remote consultations.
• Medication and prescription tracking: Assists doctors in checking whether patients are taking medicines on time, especially helpful for elderly care.
• Seeking second opinions: Allows patients to get expert reviews from specialists without needing to travel or wait for appointments.
• Disaster and emergency relief: Facilitates access to remote medical support when local healthcare systems are overwhelmed or inaccessible.

Convenience of telemedicine

Telemedicine offers a practical solution for non-emergency primary care, typically through phone or video calls, where a physical visit isn’t necessary. It does not replace in-person consultations but acts as a useful extension, saving time and effort for both patients and doctors.

Its main advantage lies in the ease of access it provides, patients can seek medical advice without the need to travel or wait in clinics. This makes it a cost-effective and time-saving option, especially for follow-ups related to chronic conditions like diabetes, hypertension, or high cholesterol.

Telemedicine is also useful after clinic hours for addressing urgent, non-critical concerns. It supports care through prescription refills, dosage adjustments, and lifestyle advice, all of which can be managed remotely.

With the integration of lab results and remote monitoring tools, telemedicine has become more efficient. Although the concept has existed informally for years, the widespread availability of internet-based tools has made it a mainstream option in modern healthcare.

Telemedicine important terms

Telemedicine involves specific concepts and components that make virtual care delivery possible. Here are some important terms to know:

• Hub site: This is the location where the healthcare provider is based. It is the central point from which the service is delivered through a telecom system.
• Spoke site: Also called the originating site, this is where the patient is located. The patient receives medical services at this location, often with the help of a facilitator known as a telepresenter.
• Telepresenter: A trained individual at the patient’s end who assists in conducting examinations using medical tools under the direction of the remote doctor.
• Diagnostic peripherals: These include equipment like digital stethoscopes or EKG monitors that transmit medical data to the remote physician during a session.
• Videoconferencing systems: Initially, telemedicine required dedicated video units. Today, standard desktop computers with secure software and high-speed internet are used for interactions.
• Store-and-forward: A non-real-time method where images or data are captured and sent to the doctor later for review and diagnosis.
• Remote patient monitoring: A process where patients’ vital signs or chronic condition metrics are monitored from home using connected devices, and the data is shared with the healthcare team digitally.

These terms form the foundation of how telemedicine functions today, from live consultations to data sharing and long-term health monitoring.

Advantages of telemedicine

Below are salient telemedicine benefits that India’s healthcare system can take advantage of:

• Reduced exposure to contagious patients
• Improved time and commute efficiency
• Enhanced privacy
• Easier patient follow-up
• Flexible work hours
• Better access to special medical opinions
• Possible disaster management solutions
• Precise analysis, with the help of stored data
• Preservation of bed space and conservation of supplies
• Increased facilities for rural and remote-area healthcare

Who uses telemedicine?

Telemedicine is accessible to anyone with a stable internet connection and a smartphone, computer, or basic phone, if supported by their healthcare provider.

It is especially helpful for individuals who:

• Live in remote areas: Those residing far from clinics or hospitals can get care without long travel.
• Face mobility or time constraints: Ideal for people with limited movement, busy schedules, or lack of transport.
• Need care while travelling: Offers a way to consult doctors even when you're away from home.

Cost of telehealth and telemedicine services in India

For both telemedicine and telehealth, technology helps reduce costs and widen reach. Today, telehealth providers offer online doctor consultations at affordable prices, ranging between Rs. 50 to Rs. 3,000. You may often get your first consultation free and can then get a one-time doctor consultation along with access to diagnostic services and tools to maintain your personal health records for a small fee.
To make access to telemedicine and telehealth services easy and simple, be it online doctor consultation or medicine delivery, providers also offer subscription-based plans not just for one person, but often for the entire family. Here, the costs vary as per the services and number of members covered. You could be paying a fee of say Rs. 250 for 6 months to get 1 consultation, a complete blood count/ diabetes screening test, health monitoring tools, and other discounts on prescriptions. Similarly, you could pay Rs. 400 per month for unlimited consultations, diagnostic services, and health monitoring tools for you and your family. For top-notch or specialist doctors, however, the cost of telemedicine may be higher, going up to Rs. 10,000 for a virtual consultation and Rs. 8,000 for a subsequent follow-up.

Telemedicine vs. Telehealth

This comparison helps clarify that while all telemedicine is telehealth, not all telehealth activities fall under telemedicine.

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