Super-specialty Medical Teleconsultations to Remote Areas of Ladakh, India via E-Sanjeevani under Hub-and-Spoke Model: A Pilot Study

Abstract

Objectives: To assess the feasibility, spectrum, outcomes and challenges of delivering super-specialty consultations to remote areas of the Union Territory (UT) of Ladakh through telemedicine. Design: Prospective, observational (descriptive), pilot study Methodology: Super-specialty medical teleconsultations were provided to healthcare providers in UT Ladakh by specialists in the Department of Telemedicine, Postgraduate Institute of Medical Education and Research, Chandigarh from October 2021 to May 2022, employing the hub-and-spoke model of the Ayushman Bharat Digital Mission. Doctor-to-doctor teleconsultations were initiated by treating doctors at healthcare facilities in UT Ladakh on the eSanjeevani™ platform. Audio-video model was used for teleconsultation and digitally signed prescriptions were shared. Setting: India – Postgraduate Institute of Medical Education and Research (PGIMER), Chandigarh (hub) and healthcare providers in UT Ladakh (spokes) Participants: Healthcare providers in UT Ladakh and specialists in the Department of Telemedicine, PGIMER, Chandigarh Interventions: Super-specialty medical consultations using telemedicine (eSanjeevani™ platform) Main Outcome Measures: Demand and spectrum of superspecialty teleconsultations, outcome of consults (whether managed successfully at teleconsultation level, or required referral for in-person visits), and technical challenges faced. Results: A total of 26 super-specialty teleconsultations were provided; 14 (54%) were for women. Patient distribution was uniform across all age groups. The super-specialty-wise distribution of consultations was - 9 from endocrinology, 9 from neurology, 3 from hepatology, 2 from cardiology, and 3 from neonatology. Reasons for seeking consultation were assistance in diagnosis (3, 12%), optimization of therapy (10, 38%), or both diagnostic evaluation and treatment optimization (13, 50%). Five cases (19%) were referred for physical visits to a higher center for advanced diagnostic testing like liver biopsy, brain biopsy, upper GI endoscopy, etc.; other cases were managed remotely. Problems with audio-visual connectivity were encountered in three patients. Conclusion: This pilot study demonstrates that complex, super-specialty medical consultations can be effectively delivered to remote areas through telemedicine. Future research should focus on assessing long-term outcomes, patient satisfaction, and cost-effectiveness to better evaluate the impact of this model.