“Whilst I appreciate in-person medical visits, I also believe that the power and potential of technology to transform healthcare has advanced greatly with the advent of disruptive technologies particularly the emergence of telemedicine”, said Dr. Ayo Shonibare, Chief Medical Officer, Evercare Hospital Lekki.
According to a World Health Organization (WHO) report on the second global survey on eHealth, Telemedicine is the use of Information and Communication Technologies (ICTs) to overcome geographical barriers and increase access to health care services. Beyond routine care, telemedicine has the potential to improve continuity of care by simplifying health management thereby making it more accessible and efficient.
How does telemedicine benefit you?
In its fight against the global pandemic, the Centre for Disease Control (CDC) reveals telemedicine as the best method when physical visits are not necessary; to avoid overcrowded spaces and increased exposure to potential infections. In addition to this being critical during a pandemic, telemedicine also reduces the strain on healthcare systems in many ways.
Furthermore, telemedicine reduces healthcare costs – there is an increase in the efficiency of care delivered to patients by reducing expenses associated with inpatient care and transportation to other locations. it is also beneficial in improving patient engagement and satisfaction as patients are pleased with the convenience, flexibility and real-time care they can access with their providers.
Diving into Evercare’s Ecare telemedicine platform
“Now more than ever, it has become important for the healthcare industry to reach out to their patients and introduce them to an all-new way of consulting with their Clinicians”, said Dr. Shonibare. Therefore, global healthcare delivery platform, Evercare Group, recently launched its telemedicine platform, Ecare. Offering tele and video consultations with general practitioners and specialist doctors within several medical fields, Ecare is seeking to transform the way healthcare is delivered in Nigeria.
It is an innovation that has transformed the outpatient consultation model as clinicians can reach patients remotely, via a video conferencing tool to address their healthcare needs adequately.
The Difference with Ecare
Ecare is a hospital operator-based telemedicine platform intended to offer services across the entire healthcare value chain in one platform – from consultations all the way to prescriptions and lab referrals. Ecare provides access to several consultants in different areas of medicine such as General and Family Medicine, Neurology, Nephrology, Neonatology, Pediatrics, Urology, Obstetrics and Gynecology, Radiology, Neurosurgery, Cardiology, Orthopedics, Pediatric Surgery, and General Surgery.
Ecare also features a two-way add-on element that permits patients to invite a family member or friend on the consultation and at the same time permits the Clinician to invite a colleague in case of a multi-disciplinary consultation. It also provides the flexibility of choosing the specialty or Specialist and the preferred appointment time.
Under the Ecare platform, patients can upload their laboratory tests and imaging results which can be viewed by the consultant before or during consultation. It provides an end to end service to the patient with drug prescriptions and laboratory referrals if required and costs less than an in-person visit.
Is Telemedicine here to stay?
Whilst the pandemic may have accelerated the adoption of telemedicine, it is evident that a platform like the Ecare, holds the potential to transform Nigeria’s healthcare delivery model even beyond the pandemic.
