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Accessing Quality Healthcare: Online Doctors In Pakistan

In the ever-evolving landscape of healthcare, Pakistan is beginning to embrace telemedicine as a means to address long-standing challenges in healthcare access, especially in maternal health.

Introduction

While telemedicine is not new globally, Pakistan is slowly realizing the potential benefits of telehealth, particularly in remote and underserved areas where access to quality healthcare has been a persistent issue. This article delves into the role of <a href="https://merisehat.pk/doctor-now">online doctors in Pakistan</a>, the challenges they face, and the potential to revolutionize healthcare delivery<a href="#accordion">[1]</a>. 
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Role of Telemedicine

Telemedicine holds significant promise in low-income countries like Pakistan, where a substantial portion of the population resides in rural areas. It offers a cost-effective and convenient solution for delivering healthcare services. Telemedicine bridges the gap between patients and healthcare providers by reducing transportation costs, saving time, and providing access to expert medical guidance without the need for physical travel.

This accessibility is crucial in a country where many individuals, particularly in rural areas, face financial constraints and limited mobility. Remote and isolated regions can benefit greatly from telemedicine, which allows patients to receive timely medical attention without the logistical challenges of reaching a healthcare facility.

Maternal health is a primary focus area where telemedicine has demonstrated its potential to save lives. Maternity care often involves critical situations that require immediate intervention by a healthcare provider. Telemedicine has shown effectiveness in monitoring maternal and fetal health during pregnancy, delivery, and the post-birth period, even when the patient is far from a hospital setting. From minor pregnancy complications to severe emergencies, telemedicine offers efficient, patient-friendly interventions. 
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Healthcare providers can monitor patients&#39; vitals through mobile devices and smartphones, and interactions with physicians occur via audio and video calls. Studies have shown that healthcare professionals have responded enthusiastically to telemedicine, with approximately 60% of maternal and fetal healthcare providers using telehealth technologies, expressing their intention to continue using these services in the future.

Telemedicine has also been successful in providing reproductive counseling, helping women and girls in Pakistan access essential services. Collaboration between non-governmental organizations (NGOs) and healthcare providers has resulted in training physicians in digital health and telehealth consultations, enabling them to provide virtual assistance for medical abortions and post-abortion contraception. This initiative has further extended to train lady health care workers to support women in accessing these free services. 
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The COVID-19 pandemic brought telemedicine to the forefront in Pakistan. In response to the rising number of COVID-19 cases and the need to reduce transmission, the government implemented a nationwide lockdown in March 2020. Fears of infection prompted many individuals to seek medical care from the safety of their homes.

Telemedicine became instrumental in classifying COVID-19 patients according to the severity of their condition. Tertiary care hospitals in Pakistan successfully used telehealth solutions to classify and manage patients. Faisalabad Medical University set up telemedicine facilities using video consultations and instant messaging, reducing the burden on crowded healthcare facilities and minimizing virus transmission<a href="#accordion">[1]</a>. 
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Challenges To Telemedicine In Pakistan

Despite the potential of telemedicine, there are significant challenges to its widespread adoption in Pakistan. The absence of laws and regulations regarding telemedicine is a major hurdle. In 2016, the World Health Organization (WHO) conducted a telemedicine survey, revealing that Pakistan lacked any laws or regulations governing the use of telemedicine<a href="#accordion">[1]</a>. Without a regulatory framework, it&#39;s challenging for new companies to establish cost-effective and innovative healthcare projects. 
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Pakistan&#39;s healthcare system remains at a primary level of telemedicine adoption. Several regions still lack telemedicine services, particularly those in need, such as areas affected by natural disasters. Rural and remote areas face challenges related to access to technology, acceptance of technology, the patient-provider relationship, and health literacy.

Both patients and healthcare providers encounter obstacles, including limited technology access, the reluctance to embrace technology, and a lack of understanding about its use. Patients may struggle to comprehend complex medical diagnoses, while some healthcare providers, especially those trained many years ago, face technology literacy challenges. Providers also face issues related to professional well-being, time management, building team relationships, and coping with the increasing volume of medical information.

The development of telemedicine policies, accreditation and licensure of physicians, reimbursement systems, and liability issues must be addressed to provide reliable telehealth services. Ensuring the availability of an information technology network infrastructure and well-trained personnel is crucial for the long-term success of <a href="https://merisehat.pk/">telemedicine</a>. 
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Efforts And Recommendations

Efforts to address maternal health and mortality crises through telemedicine include remote monitoring devices for blood pressure, blood glucose, and home-based fetal monitoring. These devices help monitor patient health and reduce the need for multiple in-person visits, while also identifying high-risk cases promptly.

Postpartum hemorrhage, a common complication leading to maternal mortality, can be mitigated through telemedicine&#39;s ability to monitor patients&#39; health continuously. Regular monitoring can detect imbalances in the patient&#39;s health immediately, allowing for timely intervention.

To implement telemedicine in Pakistan, infrastructure development is vital. Internet access and the availability of mobile devices must be improved in rural areas. Healthcare providers must be well-versed in technology, and healthcare staff must be trained to assist patients in using telehealth services effectively.

Moreover, telemedicine allows for extended communication between healthcare providers and patients, ensuring that patients fully understand diagnoses and treatment plans. Efficient communication not only improves patient-physician relationships but also enhances telemedicine literacy. 
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Conclusion

The adoption of telemedicine in Pakistan, especially in maternal health, is still in its early stages. However, various telehealth platforms and remote monitoring devices offer the potential to transform healthcare delivery, particularly in rural and underserved areas.

Despite the high costs associated with telehealth implementation, it is imperative to introduce more eHealth programs, creating a constructive cycle of policy development, execution, and evaluation. Telemedicine has the potential to address long-standing healthcare challenges, enhance access to healthcare, and ultimately save lives, particularly in maternal health.

The path to widespread telemedicine adoption in Pakistan may be challenging, but it is essential to ensure the physical well-being of the community in times of crisis like the COVID-19 pandemic and unforeseen circumstances in the future. With proper policies, infrastructure, and training, telemedicine can revolutionize healthcare access for the people of Pakistan.

[1] Bilal W, Qamar K, Siddiqui A, Kumar P, Essar MY. Digital health and telemedicine in Pakistan: Improving maternal healthcare. Ann Med Surg (Lond). 2022;81:104425. Published 2022 Aug 18. doi:10.1016/j.amsu.2022.104425

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