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Published on: Jul 14, 2021
1 minute read
By: Raj Dwivedi

Telemedicine, COVID-19 And Liver Diseases

For liver diseases, there have been successful experiences with the use of different modalities of telemedicine [i.e. asynchronous telemedicine (analysis of patient's data by a single physician or multidisciplinary team), synchronous real-time patient management and tele-education]
Our Telemedicine program showed successful results as the sustained virologic responses achieved by those patients treated in primary care settings under the expert guidance.
Currently, this type of care is considered a vital tool for the goal of global elimination of HCV infection.In addition to HCV management, telemedicine offers opportunities for a better management of patients with chronic liver diseases by increasing their access to tertiary care, thus improving efficiency of healthcare delivery at reasonable cost .
We forsee expansion of telemedicine into other areas of hepatology is desirable and hold potential for improving management of pre- and post-liver transplant patients, patients with hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) and patients with both compensated and decompensated cirrhosis.
It is important to note that in liver transplant setting existing data suggest that use of telemedicine may expedite evaluation and listing of patients referred to liver transplant centers and could improve outcomes (hospital readmissions, and quality of life) after liver transplantation.
In the case of HCC, telemedicine aslo offers the possibility of multidisciplinary evaluation in virtual tumor boards leading to tailored and more effective treatments . Finally, in cirrhosis, telemedicine may enhance self-care and facilitate HCC surveillance eventually preventing readmissions in recently hospitalized patients.
With the onset of COVID-19 pandemic everyone has forced the implementation of telemedicine actions for many liver patients.
Major international societies have released recommendations encouraging the use of remote care to manage patients with all liver diseases, particularly liver transplant patients.
However, the crisis will seriously impact cirrhosis care with social distancing and isolation causing major delays in elective procedures and routine care with potential overwhelm of medical centers managing postponed and potentially decompensated patients in the upcoming months.
Developing robust telemedicine programs and revamping remote care initiatives in hepatology will be critical during COVID times. The next challenge will be how to integrate telemedicine into routine clinical care beyond the COVID-19 pandemic.

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Flexible Work Schedules with Telehealth Support: A Smarter Approach to Employee Wellbeing

The modern workplace is undergoing a significant transformation. Rigid office hours and traditional healthcare access models are giving way to flexible work schedules and digital health solutions. One of the most impactful combinations emerging in corporate wellness is flexible work schedules with telehealth support.

This integrated approach addresses two critical challenges faced by today’s workforce: work-life imbalance and delayed healthcare access.

Why Workplace Health Models Need to Change

According to NITI Aayog and EY-FICCI workforce reports, Indian employees face rising levels of:

work-related stress
lifestyle diseases
burnout
absenteeism

Long working hours, commuting stress and limited time for medical visits worsen health outcomes. Flexible work arrangements and telehealth support directly address these gaps.

What Are Flexible Work Schedules?

Flexible work schedules allow employees to:

adjust start and end times
work remotely or in hybrid formats
manage personal commitments alongside work

Flexibility empowers employees to align work with their physical and mental health needs.

Understanding Telehealth Support

Telehealth uses digital platforms to deliver healthcare services such as:

online doctor consultations
follow-up care
preventive health advice
mental health support

It eliminates geographical and time barriers to healthcare.

Why Combining Flexibility with Telehealth Works

Individually, flexibility and telehealth are beneficial. Together, they create a powerful wellness ecosystem.

This combination allows employees to:

consult doctors without taking leave
manage chronic conditions proactively
address early symptoms promptly
reduce healthcare delays

Health Benefits for Employees

Reduced Stress and Burnout

Flexible schedules reduce time pressure, while telehealth removes healthcare-related anxiety.

Improved Access to Preventive Care

Employees are more likely to seek early consultations when care is convenient.

Better Management of Chronic Conditions

Conditions like hypertension, diabetes and thyroid disorders require regular follow-up, which telehealth supports efficiently.

Enhanced Mental Wellbeing

Tele-mental health services enable confidential and timely support.

Improved Work-Life Balance

Employees can prioritise health without compromising job responsibilities.

Productivity Benefits for Employers

Reduced Absenteeism

Quick access to care reduces prolonged sick leave.

Improved Employee Engagement

Health-supported employees show higher motivation and loyalty.

Lower Healthcare Costs

Preventive care reduces long-term medical claims.

Strong Employer Branding

Wellness-focused policies attract and retain talent.

Evidence Supporting Flexible Work and Telehealth

According to WHO and Lancet workplace health studies:

flexible work reduces stress-related disorders
telehealth improves healthcare utilisation
preventive care lowers chronic disease burden

Indian corporate data mirrors these findings, especially in hybrid work environments.

Role in Preventive Healthcare

Preventive healthcare focuses on early risk identification and lifestyle management.

Flexible schedules with telehealth support:

encourage routine checkups
support ongoing health monitoring
enable early intervention

This aligns with India’s preventive healthcare priorities outlined by NITI Aayog.

Addressing Common Concerns

Productivity Loss Myth

Multiple studies show flexible work improves output rather than reducing it.

Quality of Telehealth

Telehealth is effective for most primary care and follow-up needs.

Data Security

Modern telehealth platforms follow strict privacy and data protection standards.

Ideal Use Cases in the Workplace

This model is particularly effective for:

IT and corporate offices
remote and hybrid teams
organisations with distributed workforce
high-stress work environments

Implementation Best Practices

To maximise impact:

set clear flexibility guidelines
integrate telehealth access into HR benefits
promote preventive consultations
track wellness metrics

Leadership support is key to adoption.

Long-Term Organisational Impact

Organisations adopting this model report:

improved employee health indicators
reduced burnout
stronger workplace culture
sustainable productivity gains

Wellbeing becomes a strategic advantage.

Conclusion

Flexible work schedules with telehealth support represent the future of employee wellbeing. By removing barriers to healthcare access and allowing employees control over their work routines, this approach promotes preventive care, reduces stress and enhances productivity. As workplaces evolve, integrating flexibility with digital health support is not just an employee benefit—it is a strategic investment in long-term organisational health and resilience.

References

World Health Organization (WHO) – Workplace Health Promotion Framework
Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) – Lifestyle Disease and Workforce Health Studies
NITI Aayog – Digital Health and Workplace Wellness Reports
Lancet – Telehealth and Workforce Productivity Research
EY-FICCI – Corporate Wellness and Future of Work Reports
Statista – Telehealth Adoption and Workforce Trends

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