Penagaluru Pranay Krishna Associate Professor, Department of Emergency Medicine, Alluri Sitarama Raju Academy of Medical Sciences, Eluru, Andhra Pradesh, India
Rupa Lakshmi Harshavardhan Department of Psychiatry, Alluri Sitarama Raju Academy of Medical Sciences, Eluru, Andhra Pradesh, India
Shehnaz Sultana Department of Genetics, Bhagwan Mahavir Medical Research Centre, AC Guards, Masab Tank, Hyderabad, Telangana, India
Address for correspondence: Penagaluru Pranay Krishna, Associate Professor, Department of Emergency Medicine, Alluri Sitarama Raju Academy of Medical Sciences, Eluru, Andhra Pradesh, India E-mail: pranaypen@gmail.com
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Penagaluru Pranay Krishna, Rupa Lakshmi Harshavardhan et al. Emergency Care via Video Consultation: Bridging Healthcare Gaps with Telemedicine. Ind J Emerg Med. 2025; 11(1): 07-12.
Timeline
Received : November 19, 2024
Accepted : December 27, 2024
Published : March 30, 2025
Abstract
The integration of video consultations (VCs) in emergency care has emerged as a transformative approach, particularly post-COVID-19, to address challenges in healthcare access, specialist shortages, and emergency department congestion. This review explores the global and Indian experiences with emergency video consultations, assessing their impact on healthcare access in rural and underserved areas, workflow optimization in urban emergency departments, and specialist availability for time-sensitive conditions. Key findings indicate that VCs reduce referral rates, enhance patient satisfaction, and improve resource allocation. However, challenges such as technical limitations, digital inequality, and cultural barriers persist. Advances in artificial intelligence (AI), wearable technology, and government initiatives like India’s eSanjeevani platform provide promising pathways to expand and optimize VC integration in emergency care. Future efforts should focus on addressing connectivity issues, integrating culturally appropriate protocols, and leveraging AI for improved triage accuracy. By fostering an ecosystem of research, technological advancement, and supportive policies, video consultations could reshape emergency care, enhancing equitable healthcare access across India’s diverse regions.
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Data Sharing Statement
There are no additional data available. All raw data and code are available upon request.
Funding
This research received no funding.
Author Contributions
All authors contributed significantly to the work and approve its publication.
Ethics Declaration
This article does not involve any human or animal subjects, and therefore does not require ethics approval.
Acknowledgements
We would like to express our gratitude to the patients, their families, and all those who have contributed to this study.
Conflicts of Interest
No conflicts of interest in this work.
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Penagaluru Pranay Krishna, Rupa Lakshmi Harshavardhan et al. Emergency Care via Video Consultation: Bridging Healthcare Gaps with Telemedicine. Ind J Emerg Med. 2025; 11(1): 07-12.
This license enables
reusers to distribute, remix, adapt, and build upon the material in any medium
or format for noncommercial purposes only, and only so long as attribution is
given to the creator.
This license enables
reusers to distribute, remix, adapt, and build upon the material in any medium
or format for noncommercial purposes only, and only so long as attribution is
given to the creator.