Telehealth Newsletter
Official Newsletter of Telemedicine Society of India
The August 2025 issue of the newsletter covers a variety of interesting articles.. Dr.Ganapathy brings forward an interesting perspective. He has observed that many papers struggle due to outdated data, narrow scope, or methodological weaknesses. One recent example was a survey on doctors’ awareness of telemedicine conducted in 2021 but submitted for publication in 2026. With such a gap, the findings risk losing relevance, particularly as telemedicine has advanced rapidly post-COVID. Another case was a 15-year literature review on artificial intelligence in pediatric dermatology, which relied only on PubMed and Google Scholar, ignored non-English publications, and missed recently published studies. These cases illustrate the importance of timeliness, comprehensiveness, and methodological rigor for authors hoping to publish credible research.
The 4th Seminar on Telemedicine and Healthcare Research, was held on 9th August 2025 at KCG College of Technology in Chennai and organized by the TSI Tamil Nadu Chapter. The event featured sessions on IoT-enabled chronic disease monitoring, the emerging “Internet of Medical Thinking,” and the application of artificial intelligence in ophthalmology. A lively panel debated the central question: Can Telemedicine Truly Revolutionize Healthcare Delivery? with enthusiastic participation from students underscoring growing interest in digital health.
In the North-East, the TSI Chapter in collaboration with AIIMS Guwahati organized its Mid-Term Conference and National Workshop on TMPG and Business Models for Sustenance on 29–30 July 2025. The program included sessions on telemedicine in CBRN events, patient safety, legal frameworks, and live demonstrations of teleconsultations from remote Assam. These sessions helped medical and nursing students appreciate the practical application of TMPG.
Meanwhile, Medicon 2025, hosted by the TSI Himachal Chapter in Mohali on 23–24 August, brought together over 300 delegates under the theme “The Future of Healthcare.” The meeting highlighted artificial intelligence in clinical practice, tele-ICUs, oncology, and ethics, and introduced the “Torchbearer of Digital Health” Award to honor innovators.
An innovation worth noting is a newly developed wearable lithium sensor that enables sweat-based, real-time monitoring for bipolar patients. Needle-free, smartphone-connected, and potentially AI-integrated, it marks a step forward in making mental health care more patient-centered and preventive.
Together, these developments reaffirm that telemedicine in India continues to evolve rapidly, combining research, education, innovation, and policy to bring technology closer to patient care.
Thank You
Dr. Sunil Shroff
Chief Editor
President-Elect, TSI
Submitting a paper? – Illustrations from a Reviewer
Dr. K. Ganapathy
Distinguished Professor The Tamilnadu Dr MGR Medical University | Emeritus Professor National Academy of Medical Sciences | Formerly Distinguished Visiting Professor IIT Kanpur | Past President, Telemedicine Society of India / Neurological Society of India | Formerly WHO Digital Health Expert | Formerly Founder Director Apollo Telemedicine Networking Foundation (2000-2024)
The author during the last several years has been regularly reviewing 50+ articles a year for 50+ international journals in the broad area of Digital Health. The information given below is to give an idea of the type of articles submitted worldwide and why many of them are asked to resubmit. Hopefully potential authors will find this information useful
1. Togolese doctors’ awareness, perceptions and practices of telemedicine
Reviewer’s comments
It is universally acknowledged that worldwide there has been a phenomenal growth and development of telemedicine post Covid. It is therefore difficult to accept the relevance of a very small study carried out in Jan- March 2021 which will be published 5 years later
From a purely scientific viewpoint the study has several major limitations which preclude extrapolating the observations made to the country as a whole a) the study is a biased sample as it is confined only to doctors who had given their informed consent to participate in the study . The authors themselves state “ —small number, reflects the low level of interest among doctors in participating in the surveys”
5 of the references cited are 2009 and 2012 and are only of historical importance
It is very unlikely that the views and perceptions of the sample studied in 2021 will be relevant in 2026 ( if article is published )
The authors only mention Europe and USA ignoring India and China the most populated countries of the world
It is stated that “ —the English language version is appended to the manuscript as a supplementary file”. It is assumed that the actual survey was done in the local language. If so details are required of how independent translation and retranslation into English was done.
While age, gender, experience etc of the sample studied are given, this has no relevance unless the reader has similar details of those not in the sample. In other words we need factual data to be sure that the sample truly represents the population of doctors in the country.
It is suggested that the study be repeated now and the information obtained in 2021 be used to show the transformation in perceptions in the last 5 years
2. Perspectives and Challenges of Telemedicine And Artificial Intelligence in Pediatric Dermatology
Reviewer’s comments
Period of study is 15 years. This raises a serious concern as quality of photography/ image transmission/ knowledge/communication technology/ skills of remote consultation etc etc in the last 3-5 years cannot be compared with that in use in the preceding 10 years
The search has been confined to Pubmed and Google Scholar databases.
It is quite possible that some published articles in this specific area could have been overlooked since Cochrane Library, eMBase, Scopus, Web of Science, Sciernxce Direct, UptoDate and others have not been covered
The authors conducted a literature review including only articles published in the last 15 years. 331 studies were identified, of which only 73 were included.. There is no original work as such by the authors. The paper is only a cumulative extrapolation of individual interpretations of observations made by multiple authors over a 15 year period.
The Materials and Methods section needs considerable changes
Obviously there are major limitations in even attempting to summarise this data. It is expected that there is a major discussion on “ limitations” pointing out that literature published in non English languages have been totally ignored. It is well known that China, Japan and Korea are major contributors in this area and most of the articles published from these countries are not in English
Even if this is not a formal meta analysis a 15 year review of articles presupposes that formal standard guidelines are followed eg PRISMA (Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses) is an evidence-based minimum set of items aimed at helping scientific authors to report a wide array of systematic reviews and meta-analyses, primarily used to assess the benefits and harms of a health care intervention.
Specific details are expected of why majority of articles obtained were rejected, An algorithm flow chart is a standard accompaniment of any review of papers
It is imperative that all MeSH words be used as search terms. Use of the Boolean AND alone is insufficient.
References include a paper published in 1992 ( ref no 19 ) – 32 years ago whereas study has been reported as 15 years up to Jan 2024
Relevant papers published in Jan 2024 have not been quoted – a few examples are given below
https://www.dermatologytimes.com/view/pediatric-dermatologists-outperform-artificial-intelligence-chatgpt-demonstrates-comparability-in-some-aspects , T1 – Artificial Intelligence in Dermatology: A Review of Literature and Application to Pediatric Dermatology VL – 8 DO – 10.25251/skin.8.1.4 JO – SKIN The Journal of Cutaneous Medicine, https://dermsquared.com/index.php/skin/article/view/2555/1975,
The authors are advised to do a more detailed search taking into account the observations mentioned above.
They could consider analysing the papers reviewed in blocks of 5 years to make the interpretation more meaningful.
Report of 4th Seminar Series on Telemedicine and Healthcare Research
Mr. D. Satheesh Kumar, M.Sc (IT), MBA, DECE.
Honorary Secretary – TSI, Tamilnadu Chapter
Venue: F14 Seminar Hall, KCG College of Technology, Chennai
Date: 09.08.2025
The Department of Electronics and Communication Engineering, in association with the Telemedicine Society of India – Tamil Nadu Chapter and MedIndia, Chennai, organized the 4th Seminar Series on Telemedicine & Healthcare Research on 9th August 2025 at F14 Seminar Hall. The event aimed to bring together industry leaders, medical professionals, researchers, and students to explore the future of healthcare delivery through telemedicine and emerging health technologies. The seminar’s central theme was the thought-provoking question: “Can Telemedicine Truly Revolutionize Healthcare Delivery?”
The program commenced at 9:30 am with a Prayer Song, followed by the Lighting of Kuthuvilaku by dignitaries.
The seminar commenced with a warm welcome address delivered by Dr. Kavitha Balamurugan, Head of the Department of Electronics and Communication Engineering, who set a professional and engaging framework for the day’s proceedings.
Dr. Muthukannan, Principal of KCG College of Technology, delivered the Principal’s Address, emphasizing the importance of interdisciplinary collaboration in advancing healthcare innovations. This was followed by the Presidential Address from Dr. Ikramulla G.H, President – TSI (Tamil Nadu Chapter), who spoke on the transformative potential of telemedicine in bridging healthcare access gaps.
The technical sessions commenced with Dr. Haleema Yezdani, General Physician and Diabetologist from Bangalore, who delivered a talk on “Role of Remote Monitoring in the Management of Chronic Diseases in the Digital Health Era.” Her presentation focused on IoTbased monitoring, preventive healthcare, and real-time patient data management.
Mr. Binu Janardhan, Joint Director at C-DAC, Thiruvananthapuram, Kerala, presented a session on “An Overview of the Internet of Medical Thinking,” introducing futuristic healthcare communication frameworks and interoperability solutions.
Mr. Rajarajan S, Group Chief Operating Officer of ASRAM Hospitals, Andhra Pradesh, shared insights in his talk “Healthcare, Wellness & What’s Next: Real Hackathon on Code to the Cure,” outlining strategies to integrate medical innovation with entrepreneurial solutions.
Dr. Sheila John spoke on “The Role of Artificial Intelligence in Diabetic Retinopathy and Agerelated Macular Degeneration,” highlighting AI’s role in early detection and prevention of vision loss. Special addresses were delivered by Dr. Senthil T, Director & CEO of Welfare Health Systems, on policy frameworks and best practices in telehealth adoption, and Mr. D. Satheesh Kumar, Technical Head – Telemedicine, SRMC, who discussed implementation challenges and solutions in scaling telemedicine systems. A panel discussion on “Can Telemedicine Truly Revolutionize Healthcare Delivery?” moderated by Kaviya K featured panelists Mr. Napolean C, Dr. T. Senthil, Mr. D. Satheesh Kumar, and final-year ECE students Mr. Mohamed Shuhail G and Mr. Mudhassir Habeeb.
The discussion covered technology integration, policy requirements, implementation hurdles, and the future of telemedicine in India, culminating in an engaging audience Q&A session. The event concluded with a Vote of Thanks delivered by Dr. B. Thyla, Assistant Professor (Senior Grade), Department of ECE, who expressed heartfelt appreciation to the speakers, organizers, and participants. The seminar successfully achieved its objective of bridging academia, healthcare, and industry perspectives, motivating students and professionals to contribute to the evolving field of telemedicine and healthcare research. Key takeaways included the potential of telemedicine to enhance healthcare accessibility in rural and underserved areas, the pivotal role of AI, IoT, and secure data platforms in the next phase of telehealth, and the importance of policy formulation, trust-building, and affordability for large-scale adoption. Participants from various engineering colleges within and outside Chennai, including institutions from Salem, Dindigul, Nagapattinam, and Bangalore, joined the seminar through online mode and benefited from the insightful discussions.
TSI Mid-term Conference and National Workshop on TMPG and Business Model for Sustenance at AIIMS Guwahati
Dr. Murthy Remilla
Vice-President, Telemedicine Society of India
Dr. Murthy Remilla, Vice-President TSI & Mr.S.N.Farid, Organising Secretary, Mid Term Conference-2025
The TSI NE Chapter organised TSI Mid-term Conference and National Workshop on TMPG and Business Model for Sustenance at Guwahati During 29-30, 2025.
As part of this and continuing the model of Conference at your doorstep to attract more number of students, a Workshop on Telemedicine was organised at NEPNI Group of Nursing Institution in Alikash, Guwahati, Assam on 29th July’25. Dr. Murthy Remilla, Vice-President, TSI delivered a lecture on the Evolution and growth of TM in India and also gave the introduction to TM practice guidelines. He also answered the students’ queries on the applicability and need of TMPG for nursing students and paramedics etc. It was well received as medical and nursing students from the institution showed immense eagerness towards the concept of Telemedicine. We had a good long session with the faculty & students. Dr. Murthy also gave a live demonstration of TM software. Organising Secretary Mr. S.N.Farid also gave a live demo of actual tele-consultation from a very remote area from one of the Telemedicine Centres at Dibrugarh, Assam to demonstrate what actual Telemedicine in practice is. Dr.Murthy invited the students to take-up internships in the area of TM with the help of TSI and also invited them to Telemedicon-2025 due to be held at Bangalore.
That afternoon, another session was held with the Medical & IT students of Royal Global University, Lokhra, Guwahati, Assam where students were briefed about the use of Telemedicine in various sectors of our country. It was a stupendous session, where the students were inquisitive & put practical questions to our TSI dignitaries. The session where the medical students put forward their queries to our speakers regarding all sorts of application of Telemedicine in daily life was interactive. Here also, both Dr. Murthy & Mr. Farid gave a live demo & presentation of actual Teleconsultations from remote areas & its benefits.
National Workshop on TMPG and Business Model for Sustenance was held on Day 2 July 30, 2025 with participation of Students & Faculty from AIIMS. The forenoon has a variety of topics like, Telemedicine Demonstration – By Telemedicine Society of India Team led by Dr. Murthy Remilla followed by Tele-talk by the Chief Patron of the event Prof. Ashok Puranik, Executive Director, AIIMS, Guwahati who highlighted the importance of the advanced technologies and their use and application by the medical fraternity and welcomed affordable and portable Telemedicine/Digital Health services for the interiors and inaccessible areas of N.E.
Presentations on Role of Telemedicine in CBRN events by Dr. Suvan Kanti Chowdhury, Quality of Care and Patient Safety in Telemedicine by Dr. Biraj Ch Paul and a talk on Telemedicine services at AIIMS, Guwahati attracted the delegates with multiple aspects of TM.
As part of the National Workshop, the afternoon session had 3 talks – Introduction to Telemedicine-Evolution and Growth, and Technologies for Telemedicine by Dr. Murthy Remilla followed by an interactive talk on Telemedicine Practice Guidelines issued by MoH&FW by Dr. Surya Bali of AIIMS, Bhopal. Both the speakers also discussed the Ethical and Legal Aspect of Telemedicine and answered the queries from the delegates. This was followed by a talk on Business and Revenue Model in Telemedicine by Mr. S N Farid, TSI, Guwahati. About 77 delegates including Prof. Roonmoni Deka, Dean Research; Prof. S P Sinhasan, Dean Examination, Prof. N Brian Shunyu, Medical Superintendent, AIIMS, Guwahati participated in this event.
The Mid Term Conference-2025 of TSI conducted by North East India Chapter of TSI and AIIMS Guwahati came to close with thanks giving by TSI to AIIMS team led by Organising Chairman Dr. Md Jamil, Department of General Medicine and Organising Secretary Dr. Nilanjana Ghosh, Dept. of Community & Family Medicine followed by a group photo.
Medicon 2025: Charting the Future of Healthcare through Digital Innovation
Dr. Sachin Verma
President, TSI Himachal Pradesh Chapter | Founder and Director, Holy Basil Hospital
Telemedicine Society of India – Himachal Chapter in collaboration with Mohali Association of Physicians and Surgeons (MAPS) and Budget ICU, successfully organized Medicon 2025 on 23rd and 24th August 2025 at Mohali. The conference brought together over 300 delegates, including practicing physicians, administrators, digital health innovators, and AI specialists from across the region, making it one of the most impactful scientific meetings of the year.
A Convergence of Medicine and Technology
With the central theme “The Future of Healthcare”, Medicon 2025 focused on the evolving role of digital health, telemedicine, and artificial intelligence in shaping clinical practice. The scientific program was meticulously designed to combine clinically relevant topics with cutting-edge technology, ensuring that participants derived maximum practical value.
Over the two days, the conference hosted a series of plenary lectures, debates, and panel discussions. Topics ranged from AI in clinical practice, tele-ICUs, remote patient monitoring, ethical challenges in digital health, to e Oncology and new guidelines in internal medicine. Each session stimulated lively discussions and offered actionable insights for clinicians working both in urban centers and peripheral settings.
Recognizing Pioneers in Digital Health
A key highlight of the conference was the institution of the “Torchbearer of Digital Health” Award, designed to recognize individuals who have made exceptional contributions in taking digital health to the masses. This award not only celebrated innovation but also underscored the commitment of Medicon and TSI to encourage physicians and institutions that bridge technology with patient care.
Faculty and Delegates: A Unique Blend
The conference brought together top physicians, digital health entrepreneurs, and technology administrators under one roof. Eminent faculty included experts from internal medicine, critical care, endocrinology, and cardiology alongside digital health pioneers , from institutions like ISRO, IIT, AIIMS, PGIMER, CDAC , HCL and all Medical Colleges of Himachal Pradesh , creating a rare platform where traditional clinical wisdom interacted with futuristic technology. Telemedicine Nodal In-charges of leading government medical colleges—including PGIMER Chandigarh, IGMC Shimla, RPGMC Tanda, , RPGMC Hamirpur and SLBS GMC Mandi—participated actively and pledged their institutional support towards scaling and implementing digital health initiatives across the region. This unique blend enabled participants to not only learn about advances in their specialties but also understand how technology can be seamlessly integrated into daily practice.
A Step Towards Mainstreaming Digital Health
By the close of Medicon 2025, the resounding message was clear: the future of healthcare lies in collaboration between doctors and digital tools. The conference highlighted both the promise of AI and telemedicine in improving access, efficiency, and patient safety, as well as the challenges around bias, black-box algorithms, and medico-legal implications.
For the Telemedicine Society of India, Medicon 2025 reaffirmed its role as a key driver in mainstreaming digital health across India. The overwhelming response from participants is a testament to the growing curiosity, readiness, and commitment among physicians to embrace this transformation.
Telemedicine Society of India (TSI) – New Executive Committee Details of various chapters
Prof. (Dr) Umashankar S.
Managing Director Med.Bot | Honorary Secretary, Telemedicine Society of India
Telemedicine Society of India (TSI) – New Executive Committee of Tamil Nadu Chapter
Effective from August 2025
Note: The Executive Committee was elected during TSI Tamil Nadu Chapter – Meeting, and will serve for the term 2025–2027.
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Telemedicine Society of India (TSI) – New Executive Committee of Himachal Pradesh Chapter
Effective from 21st June 2025
Note: The Executive Committee was elected during TSI Himachal Pradesh Chapter – Meeting, and will serve for the term 2025–2027.
Wearable Lithium Sensor for Bipolar Disorder Care
Dr. Vasantha, BDS
Content Writer, Medindia.net
For decades, patients with bipolar disorder have had to rely on frequent blood tests to ensure their lithium medication is working safely. Now, a groundbreaking study published in Device has unveiled a first-of-its-kind wearable device that can monitor lithium levels through sweat, eliminating the need for needles and clinic visits.
Organic Electrochemical Transistor Technology in Lithium Sensors
In early trials, this fully printed, organic electrochemical transistor (OECT)-based patch demonstrated the ability to detect lithium at concentrations as low as 0.1 millimoles, with high selectivity over similar ions. Data collected by the patch matched commercial sensor readings, showing promise for real-time, non-invasive lithium monitoring directly from the comfort of home.
Why Continuous Lithium Monitoring Matters for Mental Health
Lithium is considered a gold-standard treatment for bipolar disorder, which stabilizes mood and reduce episodes of depression and mania. However, it has a narrow therapeutic range. If levels are too low, the medication is ineffective; if too high, it can cause kidney damage, thyroid problems, or even life-threatening toxicity.
Real-Time Lithium Tracking Through Sweat Analysis
Current monitoring methods require blood draws, which can be uncomfortable and inconvenient, often leading to missed tests. This new wearable offers a way to track levels continuously, providing faster feedback to adjust doses before problems arise.
Fully Printed Lithium Sensor for Affordable Production
At the heart of the device is an organic electrochemical transistor, designed specifically to detect lithium ions. Unlike conventional sensors that require complex manufacturing, this one is entirely printed using inkjet and 3D printing techniques.
The sensor integrates three main features:
An ion-selective membrane for lithium detection
Iontophoretic sweat induction to stimulate sweat without physical activity
Microfluidic channels to guide sweat for real-time sensing
Smartphone-Connected Lithium Monitoring for Patient Convenience
Once placed on the skin, the patch gently induces sweat using a safe, low-level electrical current. Within minutes, it measures lithium levels and transmits the data wirelessly to a smartphone app. Patients and healthcare providers can then review results instantly, allowing for timely treatment adjustments.
Pilot Testing of Lithium Sensor with Bipolar Patients
The research team validated the device in both healthy volunteers and patients already receiving lithium therapy. Sweat lithium readings from the wearable closely matched those obtained from larger, commercial sensors, confirming its accuracy.
Patients who tested the device expressed relief at the prospect of monitoring their health without repeated hospital visits. The ability to avoid needles, combined with ease of use, was cited as a major benefit.
The implications go beyond comfort. Continuous monitoring means clinicians can respond faster to changes in lithium levels, preventing dangerous spikes or drops. Over time, this could help fine-tune doses for each individual, taking into account factors like weight, diet, and metabolism.
The Future of AI-Powered Lithium Dose Management
The team’s next goal is to integrate artificial intelligence into the system. Future versions may automatically recommend dosage changes, helping patients stay within the safe therapeutic window without frequent clinic visits. This approach could significantly improve treatment outcomes while reducing healthcare costs.
Why Sweat is the Game-Changer
Sweat is an underused diagnostic fluid, despite containing valuable information about the body’s chemistry. It offers a non-invasive, easily accessible alternative to blood and can reflect changes in real time. By harnessing sweat’s potential, this wearable technology opens doors to other applications, such as monitoring electrolytes, hydration, or even medication levels for other conditions.
This innovation marks a turning point in bipolar disorder care. By replacing needles with a comfortable patch and clinic visits with real-time smartphone updates, it addresses one of the biggest barriers to effective lithium therapy: consistent, accurate monitoring. It is a step toward making mental health care more patient-centered, personalized, and preventive.
For those living with bipolar disorder, the future may hold a world where managing your medication is as simple as checking your phone. Every drop of sweat could be a step toward peace of mind.
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Telemedicine – News from India & Abroad
Can Smartwatches Accurately Reveal What People Do in Daily Life?
Smartwatches achieve 78% accuracy in detecting daily human activities, from walking and sitting to hobbies and errands………… Read More
Routine AI Use May Erode Colonoscopy Skills
AI use may have influenced results; findings from experienced endoscopists may not apply to all practitioners…………… Read More
Do AI Chatbots Blindly Repeat Medical Misinformation?
Study shows AI chatbots can adopt and expand false medical info if embedded in questions, stressing need for stricter safeguards…………. Read More
Meditation in Your Pocket: The Role of Apps in Modern Mental Health
Meditation apps show promise for mental health, but sustaining user engagement remains a major challenge for developers…….. Read More
Telemedicine Practice Guidelines – A Foundation Course for RMPs by TSI Faculty
To know more about the Telemedicine Foundation Course click on the link below:
https://tsitn.org/tpg-course/
Certificate Course with Internship Opportunity!
TSI invites all the TSI Chapters and Members to submit information on their upcoming Webinar or Events (50 words), News related to Telemedicine (200 words) or short articles (500 words) for the monthly e-newsletter.Guidelines for submission to TSI Newsletter-
- Report can be from 500 to 600 words
- Report Should be relevant to Telemedicine or Medical Informatics
- No promotion of self or any product
- Avoid plagiarism
- All references should be included
- Provide any attributions
- Visuals are welcome including video links
- Send full authors name, degrees, affiliations along with a passport sized photograph of good resolution. If multiple authors only main author photo to be sent.
Submission may be sent to – tsigrouptn@gmail.com
Editors reserve the rights for accepting and publishing any submitted material.
Editor in Chief – Dr. Sunil Shroff
Editors – Dr. Senthil Tamilarasan & Dr. Sheila John
Technical Partner- https://www.medindia.net
