HEALTHCARE IT Accreditation

Practo recently received QAI accreditation for its telehealth services,becoming the first digital healthcare company in India to receive this recognition. Dr

Abhijit Paul,Medical Director,

Practo in an interaction with Kalyani Sharma talks about the importance of accreditation in today’s transforming digital world and current status of telehealth market in India priority and accreditation is one such way to do so, as it helps ensure: requirements and standards to maintain the trust and confidence of patients and meet the requirements of regulatory organisations.

◆ Quality enhancement: Accreditation provides an assurance that healthcare providers are meeting high standards of quality and safety in their operations. This becomes imperative in the digital world, where telemedicine and remote consultations are becoming more common, and patients rely on technology for their care. Accreditation ensures that the care provided is of high quality, regardless of the mode of delivery.

◆ Promotes transparency: Accreditation helps to build trust between healthcare providers and patients by providing transparency about the quality of care being provided. This is particularly important in the digital world, where patients may not have the same level of personal interaction with their providers as they would in-person.

◆ Encourages standardisation: With the rise of the usage of digital healthcare services, patients are increasingly relying on remote consultations and telemedicine, making it crucial that these services adhere to the same safety and quality standards as traditional in-person care.

What are the benefits of QAI accreditation for Practo?

In healthcare, quality is of utmost importance. And at Practo, with quality as our cornerstone we are working towards our mission of making quality healthcare accessible and affordable to all. QAI is an ISQua certified accreditation body with global recognition and being recognised by this prestigious institute for our telehealth services serves as reflection of our commitment to quality. Overall, this helps boost confidence among all our stakeholders, and positively influences shareholder confidence while also encouraging others in the healthcare ecosystem to strive for similar accreditation. That said, the biggest beneficiary of this accreditation is the patient as it serves as a symbol of quality that encourages patients to make wellinformed decisions throughout their healthcare journey.

What is the need for accreditation in the medical care sector in today’s transforming digital world?

Accreditation is essential in the medical care sector, especially in a rapidly evolving digital world. According to a MarketsandMarkets research, globally, the telehealth and telemedicine market is projected to reach $285.7 billion by 2027. As telemedicine continues to grow, it is imperative that quality healthcare delivery is

◆ Regulatory compliance: Healthcare companies, whether digital or traditional, are subject to various laws and regulations to ensure patients safety, privacy, and ethical practices. Accreditation assists healthcare providers in meeting regulatory

Telehealth has emerged as the fastest-growing space in India. Please explain the adoption levels, growth drivers, etc

During the pandemic, telemedicine emerged as a pillar of support for the healthcare ecosystem ensuring access to quality patient care. And as mentioned earlier, reports suggest that telemedicine is expected to reach $285 billion by 2027. While COVID gave telemedicine the necessary impetus, ever since COVID, telemedicine has gained widespread adoption. During the pandemic, Practo was doing thousands of consultations a day with a turnaround time of less than 60 seconds. This resulted in Practo recording a 5x growth and 7x-10x adoption of online consultations in tier 2 cities building patient’s trust in telemedicine. And since the pandemic, the role of telemedicine has evolved with patients now seeking teleconsultations during lean hours (late nights or early mornings) with Practo having witnessed a 35 per cent growth in consultations during these times, postCOVID. In addition to that, it is difficult to find medical assistance during weekends, but teleconsultations allow patients to securely connect with doctors via chat, audio, or video calls 24x7x365. And we have witnessed a 15 per cent increase in consults on weekends compared to during covid times.

How affordable or how expensive is getting care via telehealth for Indian citizens in remote, rural areas?

Telehealth services can be more affordable than in-person healthcare services, as they can reduce the costs associated with traveling to a healthcare facility, or any other related expenses. The affordability of telehealth services in India can vary depending on several factors such as:

◆ Internet connectivity: Access to stable internet infrastructure can impact the affordability of telehealth services. In remote and rural areas with limited internet access, the cost of establishing and maintaining connectivity can be a challenge.

◆ Device availability: The availability and cost of smartphones, tablets, or computers with internet connectivity can affect the affordability of telehealth. In rural areas, where the penetration of such devices might be lower, acquiring the necessary devices can be an expense for individuals.

◆ Limited funding: Implementing telehealth solutions can require significant investment in technology infrastructure, training, and support. Without sufficient funding, it may be difficult to scale up telehealth services at affordable prices and make them widely available to patients and healthcare providers in India.

◆ Government initiatives: The Indian government has been actively promoting telehealth services to