20% of patients in India prefer teleconsultation: Report

New Delhi: Godrej Interio has launched a trend report “Elements of a Healing Environment”. that reveals several interesting insights on the concerns of patients, the changing face of healthcare infrastructure and health concerns of doctors and nurses.

The report states that on an average, patients wait for 30–35 minutes in the Out Patients Department (OPD) despite having a prior appointment. To alleviate the stress of patients and families that visit hospitals, the white paper has shared multiple solutions like provision of Wi-Fi to keep patients occupied as they wait their turn, simple design elements like light-coloured walls, comfortable and easily cleanable hospital furniture, along with wide windows that allow natural light. These methods reduce stress levels in not only patients but also the hospital staff thus enabling a better experience and promoting overall wellbeing.

The report further states that Nursing personnel have been identified as a high-risk group with 90% nurses suffering from one or more pain related issues. Most of these are owing to musculoskeletal disorders (MSD) which is currently recognized as a common occupational injury. Doctors and nurses have long shifts working on their feet or in uncomfortable positions. It is crucial that medical facilities think about ergonomics for their staff’s well-being that will enable better patient care.

Sameer Joshi, Associate Vice President, Marketing (B2B), Godrej Interio said “The Indian healthcare industry is predicted to grow by 16–17% CAGR, driven by better awareness, higher incomes, lifestyle diseases, and access to insurance. This is bolstered by the growing number of well-trained medical professionals and increased healthcare investments by the Government. At Godrej Interio, we are led by a consumer centric approach, keeping in mind both patients as well as hospital staff, thus being recognized as a preferred solutions provider for the healthcare industry. This year, we aim to grow our healthcare business by 60-70%. We have invested over 10% of our healthcare business turnover to meet the demands of this sector.”

Given the current scenario the study also found that 20% of respondents preferred teleconsultation to save time and avoid travel, especially in case of minor ailments. This leads to investing in future technology such as video conferencing technology to enable patients to communicate with their loved ones, especially in isolated areas and inpatient environments, as well as robots for dispensing and delivering equipment.