The revival of telemedicine in the age of COVID-19: benefits and impediments for Pakistan

Defined as “the use of information and telecommunication technologies (ICT) in medicine, telemedicine intends to provide appropriate healthcare at a distance, hence eliminating the need for direct contact between a patient and physician. It can be classified according to the type of interaction (pre-recorded or real-tie) and type of format in which information is conveyed (videos, pictures, audio, etc.). Particularly in the setting of a natural or man-made disaster, telemedicine is known to function as a key component in the emergency response, enabling people to access routine care and health support despite widespread disruptions in health services.