Problems and possibilities of telemedicine in India

Abstract: Information and communication  technologies  (ICTs)  are  having a great  capability to face some challenges in both developed as well as developing countries which includes providing access,  cost  effective  and  high  quality  health  care  services.  Telemedicine  uses  ICT  to overcome  geographical   barriers,  and  increase  access  to  health  care  services.  This  is particularly beneficial for rural and underserved communities in India. This paper focuses on the rising profile of e-health on the international policy agenda and related developments  in the  National  Health Service. Few developments  in public health today create energy and opportunity present in the word "e-health". As a developing country, India is implementing the technology to deliver health information and services regarding health widely across the country. These solution  though promising also present new challenges particularly in acceptable standards, choice of technologies, overcoming traditional jurisdictional boundaries, investment, privacy and confidentiality.   In this study, examine current state of telemedicine in a developing country, India. Telemedicine has brought several benefits to the people of India, especially those living in rural and remote areas. Discussed the Indian telemedicine implementation case of Apollo Hospital and Chakrajmal village, consolidate lessons learned from cases, and culminate with potential researchable critical success factors that account for the growth and modest successes  of telemedicine  in India. This  research will  discuss  how e-health  provides the opportunity for patients to maintain longer independence and for the providers to monitor    a condition more closely. It also describes barriers and challenges for current status of e­- health. Also, an attempt is made for presenting future e-health status in Indian scenario. Further,some  recommendations  are provided for  improvement.