Telemedicine: IMA website to offer second opinion

With telemedicine playing an important role in healthcare, Indian Medical Association (IMA) has tied up with American Association of Physicians of Indian Origin (AAPI) to provide a second opinion for Indian patients. In a first of its kind move, IMA will soon introduce this facility on its website.

Dr Shivkumar Utture, senior IMA member from Mumbai, said: "IMA had a meeting last week with AAPI. During our meeting, we decided to start telemedicine service for our patients."

While AAPI has around 1,10,000 members, IMA — the umbrella body of allopathy doctors in India — has more than 2,5,000 members across the country. "Today patients have become tech savvy and are keen to get a second opinion. This partnership will benefit these people as many are not aware on where to go for a second opinion. Also, there are many patients who are looking for treatment from abroad. They can connect with our AAPI friends and get the most trustworthy details," said Dr Utture.

IMA is now working out modalities to implement this project. "Work has started. We are planning to have the telemedicine link on IMA website so that it is easy for the patients to access," said Dr Utture.

Apart from telemedicine, IMA and AAPI plan to conduct continuous medical education (CME) via video conferencing. "Holding CMEs via video conferencing is something that we are looking forward. It is cost effective and it will also boost medical knowledge."