Online healthcare will soon be a reality: Devi Shetty

Noted cardiac surgeon and chairman of Narayana Health Dr Devi Shetty said on Friday that online healthcare would soon become a reality in India.

He was speaking at the IIMBeu conclave on 'Breakthrough Technologies and Innovations: How can India become a global superpower in providing medical services to the world?'.

Analysing the pace at which medical software was being developed, Shetty said, “Five to 10 years down the line, it will become mandatory for doctors to take a second opinion from a software before reaching the final diagnosis. These software will make doctors more efficient.”

Shetty also urged for a doctor-friendly software that can be used on smartphones with a simple touch. "Doctors can't spend long hours making keyboard entries about patients. If the interaction with a patient is for one hour, the doctor will take at least two hours to update the data on desktop. If this herculean task is addressed while designing the software, there will be a revolution in online healthcare,” he said.

Shetty also cited various instances where he diagnosed symptoms through photos and videos over internet. He, however, denied that computer programs will pose a threat to medical profession.

IIMBeu, the two-day conclave, is being organised by the alumni of the Indian Institute of Management, Bengaluru (IIMB), where noted personalities will talk on leadership qualities.

Panel discussions and lectures are considered as another classroom learning by the alumni. “This motivates us to do more in life. It’s a pleasure to be a part of this conclave,” said Hemavathi, an IIMB alumnus.