Telemedicine Policy & Ayurvedic Healthcare

Dr. Connect Live

Dr. Connect Live offers a unique opportunity to address healthcare challenges in a holistic manner, focusing on the development and expansion through registered practitioners and Health and Wellness Centres. Additionally, patients can conveniently purchase medicines directly through the platform, based on prescriptions provided by doctors. The platform also offers key advantages such as telemedicine services and video consultations, enhancing accessibility and convenience for users. Furthermore, India’s rich tradition of Ayurveda continues to strengthen the country’s reputation in alternative and holistic healthcare, providing a time-honoured and respected approach to well-being that complements modern medical practices.

Features of Dr Connect Live

Dr. Connect Live is an affordable, integrated telemedicine solution developed by Foxdale at Technopark, Trivandrum. The latest version of Dr. Connect Live includes the following key

• Centrally hosted platform
• Web-based application, also compatible with mobile devices
• Enables doctor-to-doctor consultations
• Supports in-built video conferencing and text chat
• Utilizes advanced medical terminology
• Offers free medicine delivery (at select locations)
• Provides an option for collaboration with Health Centres for telemedicine consultations
• Integrated e-Prescription feature
• Allows access to a list of available drugs at various public health facilities,simplifying prescriptions
• Hosts a comprehensive dashboard with valuable information and indicators for users
• Enables patient-end physicians/paramedics to set preferences for medical specialists and prioritize turnaround times
• Automatically redirects cases to the next preferred specialist if no response is received from the first
• Keeps users updated with SMS notifications and alerts

Telemedicine Guidelines

Telehealth

The facilitation of healthcare services, including medical care, patient and provider education, and health information, through telecommunications and digital platforms.

Registered Medical Practitioner (RMP)

A healthcare professional enrolled in the State or Indian Medical Register under the Indian Medical Council Act, 1956.

Definition of Telemedicine

Tele-medicine refers to the provision of healthcare services where geographical distance poses a challenge. It involves the use of information and communication technologies by healthcare professionals to facilitate the exchange of medical information for diagnosis, treatment, and prevention of diseases and injuries. Additionally, it supports medical research, evaluation, and the continuous education of healthcare providers, ultimately contributing to the advancement of public health.

Scope of Telemedicine Services

Telemedicine services include, but are not limited to:

• Remote diagnosis and consultation
• Digital prescription and treatment recommendations
• Health monitoring and follow-ups
• Emergency medical support via virtual platforms
• Specialist referrals through electronic means

Definition of Telehealth

Tele-health encompasses the delivery and facilitation of healthcare and related services, including:

• Remote medical consultations
• Provider and patient education
• Digital health information services
• Self-care guidance via telecommunications
• Digital communication technologies

Eligibility and Registration Requirements

Healthcare professionals providing telemedicine services must be duly licensed and registered under the applicable medical laws of the jurisdiction in which they practice.

Compliance and Ethical Standards

All telemedicine practitioners must adhere to ethical standards, ensuring:

• Confidentiality of patient data
• Informed consent before initiating telemedicine consultations
• Compliance with applicable medical and telehealth regulations
• Proper documentation of consultations and prescriptions

Limitations and Responsibilities

• Telemedicine services are intended to complement, not replace, traditional in-person healthcare services.
• Healthcare professionals must assess the appropriateness of telemedicine for each patient’s condition before proceeding.
• Practitioners are responsible for ensuring that digital prescriptions comply with legal standards.

Data Security and Privacy

Healthcare providers utilizing telemedicine platforms must ensure compliance with data protection laws and implement secure systems to safeguard patient information from unauthorized access or breaches.

Legal Liabilities

All parties involved in telemedicine services, including healthcare providers, technology platforms, and third-party facilitators, must adhere to applicable legal requirements. Any malpractice, negligence, or breach of patient confidentiality may result in legal consequences as per prevailing laws.

Amendments and Jurisdiction

These guidelines are subject to revisions in accordance with evolving legal frameworks and technological advancements. Disputes arising from telemedicine services shall be governed by the jurisdictional laws applicable to the service provider and the patient.

Medical Ethics, Data Privacy & Confidentiality

Registered Medical Practitioners (RMPs) must adhere to the principles of medical ethics, ensuring patient privacy and confidentiality as mandated by the Indian Medical Council Act and relevant data protection laws. Compliance with IMC (Professional Conduct, Etiquette, and Ethics) Regulations, 2002, the IT Act, and any applicable privacy laws is mandatory. RMPs shall not be held liable for confidentiality breaches caused by technological failures or third-party actions, provided reasonable care was exercised in securing such services. However, any deliberate compromise of patient privacy, including unauthorized use of patient images, coercion into telemedicine, or solicitation through advertisements, is strictly prohibited. Violations shall be subject to penalties under the IMC Act and other applicable laws.

Digital Documentation & Record-Keeping

RMPs must maintain a digital record of telemedicine consultations, including phone logs, emails, chat messages, video interaction records, and any patient reports, images, or diagnostics used during the consultation. Prescriptions issued must be documented and retained as per in-person consultation requirements.

Telemedicine Consultation Fees

Fees for telemedicine consultations shall be equivalent to in-person consultations. RMPs are required to issue a receipt or invoice for telemedicine services rendered.

Telemedicine Framework – Medical-Legal Overview

This section establishes the legal framework for telemedicine practice, covering five primary scenarios: (1) patient-to-registered medical practitioner (RMP), (2) caregiver-to-RMP, (3) health worker-to-RMP, (4) RMP-to-RMP, and (5) emergency situations. The guiding principle remains the professional judgment of the RMP, who must determine the suitability of a teleconsultation versus an in-person visit while maintaining the highest standard of care. Regardless of the communication mode (video, audio, or text), patient management decisions must align with medical necessity. RMPs retain the right to discontinue teleconsultations at any stage and refer patients for in-person assessments when required. Patients also have the right to terminate teleconsultations at their discretion.

Patient Consultation Framework

For first-time and follow-up consultations initiated by a patient, implied consent is assumed. A first consultation includes a patient’s initial interaction with an RMP, a lapse of more than six months since the last visit, or a new health condition. RMPs must verify patient identity, conduct a preliminary assessment, and determine the need for emergency care. If the patient’s condition does not require urgent intervention, the RMP may proceed with information exchange, evaluation, and management through health education, counseling, or prescribing medications as per regulatory guidelines. In follow-up consultations, patient records aid continuity of care, allowing for prescription renewals, modifications, or additional investigations where necessary.

Consultations via Caregivers & Health Workers

Caregivers, including family members or legally authorized representatives, may engage in teleconsultations on behalf of a patient, particularly in cases of minors, incapacitated individuals, or formally authorized situations. Health workers such as nurses, allied health professionals, or designated practitioners may also facilitate consultations, particularly in public health settings, remote clinics, or mobile health units. These professionals must obtain patient consent, verify identity, and relay essential medical information. RMPs, in turn, assess cases, request further diagnostics if needed, and determine the appropriateness of telemedicine for treatment. In emergencies, health workers must administer immediate first aid as per RMP guidance and ensure patient referral for in-person care.

Inter-RMP Consultations & Emergency Situations

RMPs may consult specialists for case-specific advice while remaining responsible for final treatment decisions. Specialized telemedicine fields such as tele-radiology, tele-pathology, and tele-ophthalmology are recognized for their role in enhancing remote diagnostics. In emergencies, telemedicine may provide critical first-aid guidance before an in-person referral is facilitated. In all urgent cases, the patient must be directed to seek physical consultation at the earliest opportunity.

Technology Utilized & Modes of Communication

Telemedicine consultations may be conducted through various technological platforms, broadly categorized into three primary modes: Video, Audio, and Text-based Communication (including chat, messaging, email, and fax). Each of these communication methods has its inherent strengths, limitations, and appropriate contexts for use. While telemedicine provides a safe alternative for medical practitioners (Registered Medical Practitioners, hereinafter referred to as “RMPs”) to avoid exposure to contagious conditions, it does not replace physical examinations that require palpation, percussion, or auscultation, which necessitate direct patient contact. Advancements in telemedicine technology may, however, mitigate some of these limitations in the future.

Strengths and Limitations of Various Communication Modes

Video-Based Communication

Strengths:

• Closest alternative to an in-person consultation, allowing real-time interaction.
• Facilitates patient identification.
• Enables the RMP to visually examine the patient and communicate with caregivers.
• Allows for assessment of visual cues and patient inspection.

Limitations:

• Requires a stable, high-quality internet connection; poor connectivity may result in suboptimal exchange of medical information.
• Risks associated with privacy breaches and unauthorized access; ensuring patient confidentiality is imperative.
• Potential risk of misuse or unauthorized representation of the patient.

Audio-Based Communication

Strengths:

• A fast and widely accessible mode of consultation.
• Suitable for urgent cases requiring immediate medical advice.
• Does not require specialized infrastructure, making it highly convenient.
• Ensures patient privacy.

Limitations:

• Non-verbal cues are missed, which may impact diagnosis and treatment efficacy.
• Not suitable for conditions requiring visual examination (e.g., dermatological conditions, ocular assessments, or oral inspections).
• Greater risk of misidentification of the patient, requiring additional verification measures.

Text-Based Communication (Including Chat, SMS, and Messaging Services)

Strengths:

• Quick and convenient, particularly for follow-ups, second opinions, and urgent but non-critical medical queries.
• Provides written documentation, which may serve as a reference for future consultations.
• Does not require specialized infrastructure or applications.

Limitations:

• Absence of verbal and non-verbal cues, limiting contextual understanding.
• Difficulty in establishing rapport between the RMP and the patient
• Challenges in verifying the identities of both the patient and the RMP.

Asynchronous Communication (Including Email, Fax, and Recorded Messages)

Strengths:

• Facilitates documentation and easy sharing of medical reports, images, and other diagnostic data.
• Does not require specific software or applications.
• Particularly useful for consultations that require review of medical history, test reports, and expert opinions.

Limitations:

• Not a real-time interaction; responses are dependent on the RMP’s availability.
• Diagnosis is entirely based on the information provided by the patient, with no opportunity for live clarification.
• Patient identification is document-dependent, making verification difficult.
• Possibility of delays in response, affecting time-sensitive medical needs.

The selection of communication mode for telemedicine consultation shall be determined based on the nature of the medical condition, availability of technological infrastructure, and compliance with regulatory standards. RMPs shall exercise their professional judgment in determining the most appropriate mode of consultation while ensuring adherence to applicable privacy laws, ethical standards, and professional guidelines governing telemedicine practice.