Transforming surgical care, digitally

Learn how digital care providers enhance patients' surgical care journey

- DR MILIND JOSHI

Patients experience multiple kinds of apprehensions about surgery regardless of whether the procedure is minor or significant enough to impact their lifestyles. Patients and their families often experience mental, emotional, and financial stress as they make decisions related to surgical procedures. Cumbersome insurance processes, paperwork, and long waiting periods amplify their discomfort further.

Challenges for patients

Nearly three crore surgical procedures are carried out in India every year, and there is a backlog of more than five lakh elective surgeries, created by the Covid-19 pandemic. Key challenges a patient faces before the actual surgery is finding the right doctor or surgeon and making the right choices, which can be a tedious process exacerbated by long waiting and traveling time.

Patients and their families often find it challenging to comprehend clinical diagnoses due to the complex medical jargon. Another aspect that can be stressful is understanding the total cost and insurance coverage before surgery. The insurance claim process is complex in India and may involve approval delays or rejections, especially when it comes to elective surgeries.

Quality of care

During the surgical procedure, standardized and efficient workflows impact quality of care. It is critical to ensure reduced complications and infection risk, optimum anesthesia time and surgery duration, and improved post-operative outcomes. Proper post-operative care is important for patient recovery. For certain procedures, recovery time can go up to several months.