Ambulatory Surgery Market in India could do more for patient recovery

Posted by Andrew Thomas on September 6th, 2019

One of the biggest things holding back progress in Indian healthcare is this adherence to doing things how they’ve always been done, even if there is a better, if not convenient, way for things to be done. Pioneers in digital medicine and healthcare are seeking to bring about this much-needed change and are ushering in, fostering the use of technology in healthcare and empower patients. This attitude is translating into growth for the Ambulatory Surgery Market in India and could bring in these advantages.     

The most obvious advantage is a very comfortable recovery. Patients do have to come to the hospitals to get surgery, but making those return trips for physical therapy those surgeries is a hassle for them, even costly, depending on the case. In the outpatient facilities, they get the surgery done and can go straight home to recover, saving a big part on their total bill. Until recently, they didn’t have digital health tools to assist them through such processes.     

This point directly connects to this second one – of issues cropping up during the at-home recovery. Patients don’t have to go through the lengthy process of making an appointment or wait for doctors to be free if they need an issue to be addressed. They could go to the outpatient facility or the digital health apps and get all of the information they need as these platforms are addressed by qualified personnel.  

Combined, this improves the experience of the patients as they have a more efficient way to book appointments and address queries as well.

One downside is that this kind of technology is readily adopted by younger generations first and takes a very long time for older generations to catch up. So, platforms have to be optimized in order to attract them.

On the other hand, outpatient facilities are the answer for senior patients who need to have surgeries done but would prefer staying at home – for example, they are more prone to accidents owing to their age. For them, these offer them access to care and is convenient in the same way.

For the younger generation, they don’t have time to wait on a doctor, for consultations, advice or for the actual treatment too. For them, both the digital apps and outpatient facilities address this need where they get what they need, and quickly too.

Digital health tools are the proactive future of Indian healthcare and help patients, doctors with convenient communication – and it helps patients take up a more proactive approach to recovery.

So how does it help them? Patients love the educational element of digital apps and speed, convenience of outpatient facilities. It is affordable too – as the biggest cost is usually the recovery stay in the hospital and not so much the cost of the treatment. This factors in for smaller surgeries or treatments but isn’t recommended for more intensive tests.

Several patients wished they’d take this approach for their first surgery. The ones who did, say that they stay on track with recovery, feel calm and don’t overreact to issues, conditions, complication when they arise. Similarly, individuals don’t have to fret about costs incurred when getting any smaller surgeries.