A study conducted by The George Institute for Global Health India (TGI) has said that there is an urgent need to create integrated teleconsultation options within COVID-19 digital apps to assure quality healthcare services.

A review of the mobile applications for COVID-19 response conducted by TGI has recommended that with the number of cases growing in the country, there is an urgent need to create integrated teleconsultation options within these apps to assure quality healthcare services, including those with pre-existing conditions.

The paper published in the latest issue of the ICMR's Indian Journal of Medical Research highlights the need for coupling apps to health systems responses in order to maximise the impact of the app-based approaches. The study found that most of the apps focussed on self-testing, quarantine monitoring and contact tracing.

''India's response to COVID-19 can be strengthened by developing comprehensive mHealth solutions that address the needs of frontline healthcare workers, rapid response teams and public health authorities,'' said Prof Vivekanand Jha, Executive Director, George Institute for Global Health India.

A number of bodies, including the Government of India, State governments and healthcare organisations have developed mobile apps for the containment of the disease. This study was aimed to systematically review COVID-19 related mobile apps and highlight gaps to inform the development of future mHealth initiatives.