Healthcare virtualization amid COVID-19 pandemic : an emerging new normal

Abstract

The COVID-19 pandemic has impacted us at various levels. Currently, we cannot predict how long this pandemic is going to last nor if there will be a second wave. Hence, it is necessary that we stay diligent on the safe distancing policy that is in practice in most institutions. In line with this policy, hospitals need to restrict patient numbers both in the outpatient clinics and inpatient wards. For this reason, hospitals are now encouraging virtual healthcare wherever possible, shedding the earlier hesitation to adopt the same [1,2].