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Telehealth and COVID-19: Using technology to accelerate the curve on access and quality healthcare for citizens in India

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  • Bhatia, Ridhi

Abstract

The current COVID-19 pandemic has reinstated the importance of telehealth as a business model for accelerating the accessibility of healthcare and improving the quality of healthcare for citizens of a country. Telehealth service has a tremendous potential in a developing country like India where the healthcare facilities in India are heavily concentrated in urban cities while their majority (67%) of the population resides in rural areas. At the same time, a high teledensity of almost 90% supports telehealth overall reach. However, the growth of telehealth in India till now has been sluggish but the corona virus (COVID-19) crisis has redefined the telehealth ecosystem by reducing the risk of infection through person-to-person contact. In this study, we explore the perception of healthcare users towards telehealth services and analyze the key enablers for the telehealth services in the current scenario. We collected data from 1170 participants through personal interview. The results of the study shows a considerable segment of the population is having high healthcare need, have aspirations for accessing better healthcare for themselves and their family members and use ICT to a significant extent. At the same time, they have positive attitude towards telehealth and socio-demographic factors like age, geographical location, educational qualification, family size affects the attitude towards telehealth services. The results of the study shows there is a significant market for telehealth services in India to be explored by the technology firms, hospitals and other healthcare stakeholders and going forward it has an enormous capability to transform the complete healthcare ecosystem, especially in developing countries like India post the COVID-19 crisis.

Suggested Citation

  • Bhatia, Ridhi, 2021. "Telehealth and COVID-19: Using technology to accelerate the curve on access and quality healthcare for citizens in India," Technology in Society, Elsevier, vol. 64(C).
    • Handle: RePEc:eee:teinso:v:64:y:2021:i:c:s0160791x20312689
    DOI: 10.1016/j.techsoc.2020.101465
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    Cited by:

    1. Muhammad Azmat Hayat & Mumtaz Anwar Chaudhry & Maryam Batool & Huma Ghulam & Abid Raza Khan & Cristi Spulbar & Muhammad Zahid Naeem & Ramona Birau & Maria Magdalena Criveanu, 2022. "Turning Crisis into a Sustainable Opportunity Regarding Demand for Training and New Skills in Labor Market: An Empirical Analysis of COVID-19 Pandemic and Skills Upgradation," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 14(24), pages 1-14, December.
    2. Anas Taha & Bara Saad & Bassey Enodien & Marta Bachmann & Daniel M. Frey & Stephanie Taha-Mehlitz, 2021. "The Development of Telemedicine and eHealth in Surgery during the SARS-CoV-2 Pandemic," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 18(22), pages 1-12, November.
    3. Iqbal, Muhammad Zahid & Campbell, Abraham G., 2021. "From luxury to necessity: Progress of touchless interaction technology," Technology in Society, Elsevier, vol. 67(C).
    4. Chi, Nguyen Thi Khanh, 2021. "Innovation capability: The impact of e-CRM and COVID-19 risk perception," Technology in Society, Elsevier, vol. 67(C).
    5. Uzir, Md Uzir Hossain & Al Halbusi, Hussam & Lim, Rodney & Jerin, Ishraq & Abdul Hamid, Abu Bakar & Ramayah, Thurasamy & Haque, Ahasanul, 2021. "Applied Artificial Intelligence and user satisfaction: Smartwatch usage for healthcare in Bangladesh during COVID-19," Technology in Society, Elsevier, vol. 67(C).
    6. M. A. Hannan & M. S. Abd Rahman & Ali Q. Al-Shetwi & R. A. Begum & Pin Jern Ker & M. Mansor & M. S. Mia & M. J. Hossain & Z. Y. Dong & T. M. I. Mahlia, 2022. "Impact Assessment of COVID-19 Severity on Environment, Economy and Society towards Affecting Sustainable Development Goals," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 14(23), pages 1-23, November.
    7. Fuyong Lu & Xian Huang & Xintao Wang, 2022. "Willingness to Pay for Mobile Health Live Streaming during the COVID-19 Pandemic: Integrating TPB with Compatibility," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 14(23), pages 1-22, November.
    8. Zahlan, Ahmed & Ranjan, Ravi Prakash & Hayes, David, 2023. "Artificial intelligence innovation in healthcare: Literature review, exploratory analysis, and future research," Technology in Society, Elsevier, vol. 74(C).
    9. Ryuichi Ohta & Akinori Ueno & Chiaki Sano, 2021. "Changes in the Comprehensiveness of Rural Medical Care for Older Japanese Patients during the COVID-19 Pandemic," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 18(20), pages 1-9, October.
    10. Ong, Ardvin Kester S. & Kurata, Yoshiki B. & Castro, Sophia Alessandra D.G. & De Leon, Jeanne Paulene B. & Dela Rosa, Hazel V. & Tomines, Alex Patricia J., 2022. "Factors influencing the acceptance of telemedicine in the Philippines," Technology in Society, Elsevier, vol. 70(C).
    11. Barrutia, Jose M. & Echebarria, Carmen, 2021. "Effect of the COVID-19 pandemic on public managers’ attitudes toward digital transformation," Technology in Society, Elsevier, vol. 67(C).

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