The Telemedicine Society of India (TSI), in collaboration with the Department of Telemedicine at PGIMER in Chandigarh, has officially launched TELEMEDICON 2024, focusing on the theme "Virtual Healthcare and the Role of AI." The conference, which took place on Friday, attracted a diverse group of healthcare and technology professionals from across the nation.

Dr Biman Saikia, the chairperson of TELEMEDICON 2024, opened the first session dedicated to the role of Artificial Intelligence (AI) in healthcare. Urologist Dr Sunil Shroff presented a talk on "Intelligent Medicine: How AI is Shaping the Future of Healthcare," exploring the significant changes that AI technology is bringing to medical practices. The discussion continued with Dr Alok Modi, who examined the ethical concerns and challenges surrounding the implementation of AI in the healthcare sector. Additionally, Dr Kim R provided insights on AI applications specifically within ophthalmology.

A notable plenary session on the evolution of telemedicine, led by Dr Meenu Singh, outlined the rapid advancements in this field, particularly highlighted during the COVID-19 pandemic. This session was chaired by Dr KK Talwar, a former director of PGIMER Chandigarh, alongside Dr Prem Nair, director of Amrita Institute of Medical Sciences.

Further sessions delved into various aspects of telemedicine, including its role in health promotion, prevention, and lifestyle management, with Dr Shriram V Kulkarni from Mumbai discussing the utilization of AI to enhance healthcare accessibility in underserved areas.

One of the key attractions of the conference was a live demonstration showcasing drone technology being employed for the delivery of medications. This innovation aims to improve service delivery models, particularly in rural areas where healthcare access can be limited, enhancing patient care and health outcomes significantly.

The Tele-Ophthalmology Society of India (TOSI) was also represented at the event, featuring presentations by Dr T Senthil on business models for teleophthalmology and Dr BNR Subudhi, who discussed innovative approaches for the early detection of diabetic retinopathy and glaucoma.

Additional sessions included a focus on Telemedicine for Elder Care, led by Dr Rajeev Agarwal and Dr Thanga Prabhu, who highlighted advancements in monitored eldercare and innovative practices in geriatric telehealth.

The day concluded with presentations from young professionals, showcasing award-winning papers on pressing topics within the field.

The inaugural ceremony, which was held in the evening, featured Madhukar Kumar Bhagat, Joint Secretary of the E-Health Section at the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, as the chief guest. Prof KK Talwar and Prof RK Ratho, Dean of Academics at PGIMER Chandigarh, were honoured as Guests of Honour.

TELEMEDICON 2024, as the 20th International Conference of TSI, aims to serve as an essential platform for collaboration among healthcare professionals, IT experts, and researchers, underlining the increasing significance of AI and telemedicine in the ongoing transformation and enhancement of global healthcare systems. The event is scheduled to continue until November 30, 2024.

Source: Noah Wire Services