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DIGITAL HEALTHCARE IN INDIA : ELECTRONIC HEALTH RECORD ( EHR ) ADOPTION
DIGITAL HEALTHCARE IN INDIA : ELECTRONIC HEALTH RECORD ( EHR ) ADOPTION

December 23, 2024

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SUMMARY

Electronic health records (EHR) have become widely used in many clinical practices worldwide, but is it as commonly used in India as anywhere else? India’s healthcare system faces numerous challenges, including inadequate public health spending, high out-of-pocket expenditures, and disparities in access to quality care. These issues are compounded by high maternal and infant mortality rates, particularly among underprivileged populations. The introduction of digitalized medical records, propelled by the Ayushman Bharat Digital Mission (ABDM), aims to address these gaps by creating a unified, accessible digital health ecosystem. However, India must overcome significant challenges, such as uneven IT infrastructure, privacy concerns, and increased costs, to implement Electronic Health Records (EHR) effectively.

Electronic health records (EHR) have become widely used in many clinical practices worldwide, but is it as commonly used in India as anywhere else? India’s healthcare system faces numerous challenges, including inadequate public health spending, high out-of-pocket expenditures, and disparities in access to quality care. These issues are compounded by high maternal and infant mortality rates, particularly among underprivileged populations. The introduction of digitalized medical records, propelled by the Ayushman Bharat Digital Mission (ABDM), aims to address these gaps by creating a unified, accessible digital health ecosystem. However, India must overcome significant challenges, such as uneven IT infrastructure, privacy concerns, and increased costs, to implement Electronic Health Records (EHR) effectively.

INTRODUCTION

Electronic health records (EHR) have become widely used in many clinical practices worldwide, but is it as commonly used in India as anywhere else? India’s healthcare system faces numerous challenges, including inadequate public health spending, high out-of-pocket expenditures, and disparities in access to quality care. These issues are compounded by high maternal and infant mortality rates, particularly among underprivileged populations. The introduction of digitalized medical records, propelled by the Ayushman Bharat Digital Mission (ABDM), aims to address these gaps by creating a unified, accessible digital health ecosystem. However, India must overcome significant challenges, such as uneven IT infrastructure, privacy concerns, and increased costs, to implement Electronic Health Records (EHR) effectively.

Current Indian Healthcare Landscape

The current healthcare status in India includes low public spending contributing 1% of GDP, and high out-of-pocket spending payments (71%). The country lags behind many other countries in terms of disease incidence rates and high maternal and infant mortality rates (45.5/100,000 live births and 26/1000 live births respectively). it is even worse for the underprivileged as they cannot access private healthcare services accounting for 78% outpatient and 60% inpatient load. developing digitalized medical records to enhance clinical practice is not a choice but a need of the hour for the Indian healthcare system. 

Challenges to adopt EHR in India

  1. Uneven distribution of IT infrastructure: Urban areas flourish with high connectivity and digital literacy, while rural areas need more IT facilities, which hinders the seamless adoption of EHR. 

  2. Privacy and security: Electronic records' data safety and privacy are of utmost importance worldwide as they contain sensitive and confidential information.

  3. Increased cost of healthcare: Implementing digital systems and integrating EHR into healthcare practices may increase overall costs, making healthcare less affordable for economically disadvantaged populations.

Steps to implement EHR effectively in India

  1. Strengthen Information and Communication Technology (ICT)  Infrastructure: With a higher concentration of public healthcare facilities, India requires a robust ICT infrastructure connecting all public healthcare institutions, even in remote villages. Secure communication channels must ensure reliable health data exchange to maintain continuity of care.

  2. Frame Rules and Regulations: Rules and Regulations must be framed for using e-health applications. The system must instill confidence in physicians and patients that their data is protected and unaltered. Clear liability policies should be established to address any potential mishaps.

  3. Implement Unique patient identity: Implementing a unique identification number for each patient that is recognized across all healthcare organizations will improve data interoperability. 

  4. Appropriate training and Capacity Building: A dedicated agency should be created to support and handle all the technical aspects of electronic medical records. Several IT professionals with exposure to health IT will be required to operate the IT unit of healthcare organizations and provide targeted online courses to healthcare professionals to ensure standardized competency.

  5. International collaboration: Many countries like the USA and South Korea are already ahead of India in terms of an active EHR system. We could benefit from their experience and innovative solutions through international collaboration. 

Benefits of Adopting EHR in Clinical Practice

  1. Improved patient care: Physicians’ easy access to patient’s case histories and reports on a single portal allows better coordination, reducing chances of medical error.

  2. Maintain continuity of care: Patients can use the EHR to view their prescriptions, book appointments timely, and get updates and reminders for follow-ups.

  3. Establish Integrated Healthcare Links: EHRs can link physicians, hospitals, pharmacists, and insurance companies to eliminate discrepancies in patient care.

  4. Reduced Operational costs: Digitizing health records can reduce the operational cost of handling paper records and maintaining a physical storage space. 

  5. Improved Research Opportunities: The patient database can be used for research and epidemiological purposes, facilitating informed policy decisions and innovations.

Conclusion

Many countries worldwide have successfully implemented the system of electronic health records and it has proven to be extremely successful. Given the benefits of EHR and the current status of healthcare in India, there is no doubt that the integration of Electronic Health Records (EHR) into India’s healthcare system is not merely an upgrade but a necessity. By addressing the implementation challenges and leveraging opportunities for international collaboration, India can establish a resilient, patient-centric healthcare ecosystem. EHR has the potential to bridge gaps in accessibility, affordability, and quality of care, ensuring better health outcomes for all. The journey toward digital health infrastructure may be challenging, but it holds the promise of a transformative impact on Indian healthcare one that is equitable, efficient, and future-ready.

 

 

 

 

 



 


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