Healthcare System Strengthening During COVID-19 Pandemic through Artificial Intelligence Enabled Virtual Out-Patient Clinics

Abstract

Healthcare professionals play a vital role in a community’s response to a pandemic. The timely and efficient provision of healthcare services to the affected population is the most crucial step in the management of any pandemic. In the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic there is tremendous pressure on the healthcare system and routine OPDs are closed. Under such circumstances artificial intelligence enabled virtual outpatient clinics could prove to be a boon. This study adopts a case based approach and examines the available international and Indian evidence on the working and acceptability of virtual outpatient clinics with a view to assess their suitability to deal with the COVID-19 pandemic in India. An examination of the preliminary data available on virtual outpatient clinics and the demographics of the people who have availed their services reveal the acceptance of virtual outpatient clinics both from the perspective of the provider and patient. Thus, virtual outpatient clinics could be of vital help to India in dealing with the COVID-19 pandemic situation.