This is the first pandemic, this generation has faced. Unlike the previous pandemics, we now have many vaccines to prevent vaccine-preventable diseases (VPD). Since the Covid-19 was discovered, the world has waited for a vaccine that would help our lives return to some level of normalcy. Unlike in the past, it took less than a year from lab to jab (vaccine development in case of Covid-19). And now that that vaccine distribution has begun especially for the age group from 18 years and above what will this “new normal” look like for our children? As a neonatologist, I often come across parents who have been asking the question — Is it okay to delay routine vaccinations for our children amidst pandemic? If not, how do we take these vaccinations? Is visiting the hospital safe with infants and toddlers for vaccination? The WHO and UNICEF were concerned when the pandemic struck — as the “primary vaccinations” for children against VPD was getting missed or delayed leading to the possible emergence of these diseases taking a toll on children. Throughout the world, the lockdowns, and “the fear of contracting the disease” made parents “miss their children’s vaccinations”. My simple response to these parents is home vaccination — which is the new normal.
Unsurprisingly, the Covid-19 pandemic resulted in dramatic changes in hospital inpatient volumes at the onset and the hospital inpatient volumes dropped drastically. As the situation continued to evolve, there was a need to have a home care solution. The pandemic has clearly proven itself as a healthcare innovation catalyst, reinforcing the benefits and growth potential of the home healthcare industry.
HOME VACCINATION FOR CHILDREN
Vaccinations are crucial during the first year for the child to stay healthy and infection-free and the availability of home-based care is no more an option, it is rather a necessity and a responsibility to protect children. Why should parents opt for home vaccinations for children? Here are the reasons:
• Home vaccination ensures safety first
• It helps in avoiding risks
• It helps to save time
• Parents can teleconsult and secure a digital prescription at home that will explain the vaccinations and possible common side effects of missing them
The pandemic has made us adapt to newer ways of doing things. Many things that were hitherto thought not possible or not the first option is now being seen as normal and comfortable. The pandemic also made the country and the fraternity realise that many healthcare issues can be solved at home and do not require a visit to the clinic or hospital most of the time. Healthcare digitisation is driving the ecosystem of healthcare and bringing effective care to home with convenience and comfort.
Home healthcare is beneficial as a doctor is readily available for a home visit or teleconsultation on video. Telehealth is a great way to get in touch with the clinician and avoid unnecessary travel. Nurses can visit patient homes for vaccinations and clinical procedures that are smaller in scale. Patients need not postpone their physiotherapy or speech therapy sessions as the clinicians can travel to their home or be available for video sessions. Vaccinations can be administered at home under the combined care of doctors and nurses.
In my view, home vaccination has become so popular that parents are happy to have their child vaccinated without the fear of visiting the hospital for the same and the fear of getting infected in the hospital. Within the last year, my unpublished data suggest that we have done more than 20,000 home vaccinations for the children of India and the initiative has received even Karnata deputy Chief Minister’s approval.
Earlier home healthcare was unorganised and run by bureaus with a lack of quality control and customer-centricity. But with the home healthcare sector becoming organised and institutionalised with the advent of trusted players, the scenario has changed. Expert and experienced clinicians are recruited with various background checks. Training and clinical protocols are institutionalised. Audits, quality controls, and tech involvement aid in high-quality clinical services with safety have benefited the community at large. Hence, quality clinical services at home is a prudent investment that people have been making for the management of their health.
HEALTHCARE IS BEING REDEFINED AND MOVING STEADILY INTO THE HOME
With Zoom, texting, and more, technology has transformed our everyday human interactions and what we define as “interpersonal communication.” Between value-based care models and these advancements in technology, healthcare is also being redefined and moving steadily into the home. Covid-19 has accelerated that trend and become a catalyst for virtual and remote care. The year 2021 looks to be the year of the home and after children, senior citizens will be the next set who will be more comfortable than ever with moving healthcare visits to their living rooms and caregivers are more comfortable incorporating time-saving technology into their workflows. In these challenging times, home-based care, remote patient monitoring, and telemedicine services and solutions are helping bridge the gap and prepare for the prevalent needs of healthcare delivery.
The writer is Founder Chairman & Senior Neonatologist, Cloudnine Group of Hospitals, Bengaluru. He is also a healthcare delivery graduate from Harvard Business School.