Conceptual Model for Technology
INTRODUCTION
Creating a model for technology – Assisted Elderly Care
India and Sweden are facing similar challenges in the area of healthcare. The number of older people is projected to increase very sharply over the coming decades in Sweden.
India too is facing a similar problem with about 8% of its population being over 60 years of age. To cope with its rapidly aging population, Sweden has created several models for active aging through healthcare innovations and the use of technology. However, India is yet to deploy the technology on a wide scale in the screening and treatment of its elderly citizens.
Recognizing the increasing demand for geriatric care, the Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) and FORTE initiated a joint call for research in the area of developing sustainable models for elderly care in India and Sweden.
PARTNERSHIPS
The Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR), FORTE, Ramaiah Medical College and Hospitals, and Umea University, Sweden.
THE CHALLENGE
Despite the launch of the National Program of Healthcare for the Elderly in India back in 2010-11, creating a comprehensive elderly care model that can achieve consistent success has been a challenge.
Therefore, ICMR-FORTE identified geriatric research as an important program to encourage researchers to generate and test scientifically proven methods that could be implemented for active and healthy aging.
Ramaiah Medical College and Hospitals and Umea University worked together to conceptualize a technology-assisted care model for screening and managing common illnesses and disorders among the elderly using tele-medicine.
RESEARCH METHODOLOGY
Patients are screened using the questionnaire
Tele-consultation at the hub using tele-medicine system
Referred to satellite centers for further treatment if needed
Referred to satellite centers for further treatment if needed
PROJECT AREA COVERED
More than 835 consultations were successfully undertaken.
KEY LEARNINGS
It is possible and feasible to deploy tele-medicine services for the screening and treatment of the elderly in low resource settings. Doctors, nurses, and healthcare personnel were receptive to providing services through tele-medicine. However, we realized that it’s a long-term challenge to find qualified doctors in rural settings.
Patients showed gradual acceptance of the concept of tele-medicine and responses to services are improving.
Tele-medicine systems help organize patient data as well as other administrative metrics for optimizing care models for the elderly.
OUTCOMES
- The project provided implementation models for technology-based elderly care
- With the success of this project, more national programs and schemes in India (National Health Mission, Ayushman Bharath, National Program of Health-Care for the Elderly ) are encouraging the adoption of technology for enhancing health care delivery
- Medical colleges in rural areas can replicate the proposed models to extend specialist services to the elderly through tele-medicine systems
- Three-tier primary health care systems with tele-connectivity can offer specialist and referral services
- Mobile health screening and personal health records maintained through tele-health systems enable better access to healthcare for the elderly, anywhere and anytime
- Tele-medicine systems will be useful in non-communicable diseases and maternal and child health program implementation