What is Telemedicine?
Telemedicine is a general term that covers all of the ways you and your doctor can use technology to communicate without being in the same room. It includes phone calls, video chats, emails, and text messages. People also call it telehealth, digital medicine, e-health, or m-health (for “mobile”).
Telemedicine during COVID 19
Telemedicine is one proposed method to avoid frequent visits to the hospitals during this COVID 19 pandemic.
Can telemedicine replace in-person visits?
No telemedicine will only enhance, not replace, the current standard of care.
Due to COVID 19, can I reduce the number of antenatal visits?
It is your obstetrician who decides whether a teleconsultation will suffice, or if an in-person review is needed.
What services can be provided by telemedicine during and after pregnancy in this COVID 19?
- Home monitoring of blood pressure, fetal kick count, and bodyweight.
- Virtual prenatal and Postnatal visits
- Online communication with providers
- Mental health care
- Lactation support
- Consultation with specialists
Reference: https://www.mohfw.gov.in/pdf/Telemedicine.pdf
Reference: https://nimhans.ac.in/wp-content/uploads/2020/04/MentalHealthIssuesCOVID-19NIMHANS.pdf