Telemedicon 2023: Emerging Technologies Connecting Indian Healthcare System

The 19th International Conference of Telemedicine Society of India, in collaboration with the 27th International Society for Telemedicine and eHealth (ISfTeH) and supported by the Maharashtra and Gujarat chapters, convened in the scenic venue of Goa from 3rd October to 5th, 2023. The presidential message of Prof. Meenu Singh as President Telemedicine Society welcomed all the faculty and delegates to the Telemedicine Society of India's Conference on 'Emerging Technologies Connecting Indian Healthcare System'. Together, let's explore how technology can improve access, quality and efficiency in healthcare. Similarly, the President ISfTeH Dr. Michele Griffith, is honoured to partner with TSI for 'Telemedicon 2023- Goa', focussing on Emerging Technologies Connecting Indian Healthcare Systems. India's leadership in digital health innovation shines, and we're grateful to all contributors for fostering digital health innovation. DAY 1 HIGHLIGHTS The scientific programme, spanning across Serum Hall and Suquino Hall, unfolded with a welcome of delegates [Figure 1] and a lamp-lighting ceremony [Figure 2] led by Dr. Meenu Singh and Dr. Michele Griffith. Various sessions covered a broad spectrum of topics from Emerging Technologies and Future Trends in Healthcare to Government Initiatives, Global Telehealth and Telemedicine Practices and Challenges. Distinguished speakers shared insights, including discussions on the future of telemedicine, leveraging emerging technologies and initiatives such as Ayushman Bharat Digital Mission.Figure 1: Welcome of delegatesFigure 2: Lamp-lightining ceremonySCIENTIFIC PROGRAMME (SERUM HALL AND SUQUINO HALL) The scientific programme commenced in Serum Hall on the 1st day, featuring sessions on Emerging Technologies, Future Trends in Healthcare and Vaccine Delivery. Session 1, on Emerging Technologies, was chaired by Dr. Meenu Singh and Dr. Michele Griffith, exploring the counterintuitive yet perfectly predictable future of healthcare delivery and AI applications in precision medicine. Session 2, chaired by Prof. Yunkap and Mr. Pramod Gaur, delved into the future trends in healthcare and vaccine delivery. Topics included changing the HPV landscape with an indigenous vaccine (CERVAVAC) and technology-driven hospitals for enhanced patient care. Session 3, on AI and Digital Health in the Acute Care Setting, was chaired by Dr. Selva Kumar and Dr. Tapas Kumar Singh. Session 4 focussed on Government Initiatives, with discussions on the Ayushman Bharat Digital Mission, the future of telemedicine leveraging emerging technologies and digital health initiatives in Uttar Pradesh. Chaired by Dr. Amit Rastogi and Dr. Virendra Sankhwar, this session provided valuable insights into the evolving healthcare landscape. Session 5 explored Global Telehealth and Cybersecurity, discussing equal access to global interoperable care, cybersecurity in healthcare, technology powering OPD insurance at scale and last-mile connectivity in healthcare intervention. Session 6, on Telemedicine Practices and Challenges, was chaired by Prof. Yunkap Kwankam and Fr. Gaurish Surlakar. Session 7, chaired by Mr. Michael Castorino and Dr. P.K. Pradhan, focussed on Building Bridges for Better Healthcare. Speakers shared their views on solving speciality care deserts through virtual second opinions and simplifying technology for access to affordable and world-class healthcare services globally. Session 8, on perioperative Telemedicine, chaired by Col Dr. Ashwini Goel and Dr. Sunil Shroff, focussed on the role of accreditation in improving quality and patient safety in telehealth services and building a telehealth technical standard. Industry theatre (Bajaj hall) In Bajaj Hall, industry theatre activities were organised, where various companies shared insights on quality healthcare, needle-free injection systems, ophthalmic screening and diagnosis, remote cardiac diagnosis, generic drug manufacturing, smart ICU technology and remote patient monitoring systems. Podium and poster presentations (Google hall) Google hall hosted podium and poster presentations. On day 1, sessions chaired by Dr. Neha Nigam, Dr. Uma Shankar, Dr. Kishna Kumar, Dr. Chinmay Shah, Dr. Suchitra Mankar and Dr. Kunal Patel covered topics such as telepathology, AI-based clinical alerts generation for Tele-ICU patients, 5G testbed applications, optimisation of digital data in telehealth applications based on 5G and the use of AR, VR and MR technologies to enhance telehealth experiences. Evening inauguration activity In the evening, an inauguration activity marked the beginning of the conference. DAY 2 HIGHLIGHTS Day 2 featured sessions in Serum Hall on perioperative telemedicine, remote monitoring and a presidential oration. Panel discussions on remote monitoring were chaired by Mr. Repu Daman and Dr. Suresh Bada Math. Session 9 focussed on AI and ML in healthcare, exploring the role of telehealth in decarbonising and building a resilient health system, simplicity in healthcare tech and using AI/ML to integrate healthcare systems. Session 10, on Telemedicine-Back to Space, was chaired by Dr. Murthy Remilla. Session 11 delved into Innovations, chaired by Mr. Ashwin Desai and Dr. Shekhar Sadlkar. Speakers shared insights on digital OT, digital innovations, partnerships addressing social determinants of health and the impact of technology on hospitals. Session 12, on AI, was chaired by Dr. Neha Nigam and Dr. Uma Nahar Saikia, covering topics such as AI-enabled telepathology, AI in digital pathology, AI in drug delivery and AI in wound care. Suquino hall focussed on telepractices, covering the surgical ecosystem, image-guided surgery, telesurgery in the 5G era, trauma surgery in the digital age, ensuring surgery safety in an increasingly digital world and AI and robotic surgery. Bajaj Hall continued industry theatre, showcasing various companies' videos on telecommunications systems, digital pathology scanners, CDAC, generic drugs, diagnostic software platforms, real-time patient monitoring in hospitals and remote home facilities, telehealth solutions and radiology optimisation platforms. Google Hall continued to host podium presentations on various digital technology applications in healthcare. General Body Meeting: in the evening, a general body meeting was organised on Day 2 of the workshop. DAY 3 HIGHLIGHTS Day 3 in Serum Hall began with the continuation of Session 13 on AI and mental health, chaired by Dr. B.N. Mohanty and Dr. Raj Rawal. The session explored emerging technologies in psychiatry, digital mental health and tech trends in remote patient monitoring. Panel 2 focussed on tele-ophthalmology, chaired by Dr. Amit Agarwal and Dr. Swati Divyal Pai. Speakers discussed the real-time use of AI in ophthalmology, rural tele-ophthalmology and the environmental and economic impact of tele-ophthalmology. Session 14 covered the past, present and future of telehealth in India, chaired by Maj. Gen. A.K. Singh and Dr. K. Sudarshan. Session 15, on Platforms and Devices, chaired by Dr. Sangeeta Desai and Dr. Vikranth Kanwar, explored needle-free devices, healthcare startups, precision telehealth platforms and remote cardiac diagnosis. Valedictory session The valedictory session in Serum Hall included the installation of new office bearers, prize distribution, best essay contest, best podium presentation, best poster, lucky dip winner and the best hopper of the day. Suquino Hall's scientific programme on Day 3 began with an executive committee meeting of the new TSI board, startup IP and corporate and institutional members. A video session chaired by Dr. Deepak Vohra and Piotr Skarzynski discussed the validation of a tablet-based hearing screener (Sresht) for children below 6 years of age in rural areas of Tamil Nadu, preparation techniques of surgical videos for teleeducation and the evaluation of tele-ophthalmology screening camps in detecting diabetic retinopathy and non-diabetic retinal diseases. Bajaj Hall's Industry Theatre on Day 3 began with industry presentations and demos, including special interest group meetings on medical devices and electronic intensive care unit. Discussions covered healthcare through research and innovative solutions, AI imaging and diagnostics and health insurance. Prof. Meenu Singh, President TSI and Executive Director AIIMS Rishikesh shared her views on the past, present and future of telemedicine in India, based on her own experience and expertise in the telemedicine field. Dr. Vivek Singh Malik and Mr. Vineet Kumar from AIIMS Rishikesh presented their study on the perceived need for AI and ML in telemedicine and its prospects in peripheral healthcare settings. Similarly, Dr. Madhur Uniyal from AIIMS Rishikesh shared his work on trauma telemedicine helpline-initial experience in the management of trauma patients and its use as a tool for quality in remote regions of Uttarakhand. Workshop's impact on industry and innovation This workshop provided a unique opportunity for participants to explore the latest industry trends, AI/ML applications and innovations in telehealth solutions. It served as a collaborative platform, facilitating discussions between industry leaders, healthcare professionals and researchers. The diverse sessions in Serum, Suquino, Bajaj and Google Halls allowed participants to gain insights into the ever-evolving landscape of telemedicine, fostering a deeper understanding of its applications, challenges and prospects. The robust exchange of ideas and information during this conference is expected to contribute significantly to the advancement of telemedicine in India and globally, making strides in healthcare accessibility and quality. In conclusion, Telemedicon 2023 successfully brought together experts, practitioners and industry leaders, paving the way for a more connected and technologically advanced future in the Indian healthcare system. Financial support and sponsorship Nil. Conflicts of interest There are no conflicts of interest.