How big is telemedicine in India right now? eSanjeevani, the government-run telemedicine platform, has served over 344 million patients since its 2020 launch. It handles over 425,000 consultations daily and has scaled to 1 million per day at peak. It is now the world's largest government-run telemedicine platform. Private platforms like Practo, Apollo 24/7, and newer entrants are also seeing strong growth. Can I legally prescribe medicines during a telemedicine consult? Yes, within limits. Under the Telemedicine Practice Guidelines 2020 (MoHFW), you can prescribe medicines during a tele-consult. However, Schedule X drugs (habit-forming drugs) cannot be prescribed via telemedicine. For first-time patients, you can only prescribe drugs for minor ailments or in emergency situations. For follow-up patients, regular prescriptions are allowed. Always issue a proper digital prescription with your registration number. What are my liability risks in a telemedicine consult? Same as in-person — you are responsible for your clinical decisions. Document the consult thoroughly. If you cannot adequately assess a patient remotely, refer them for in-person evaluation. Maintain patient records for telemedicine consults just as you would for physical visits. Audio-only consults carry higher risk because you miss visual cues. Does telemedicine pay well for doctors? On government platforms like eSanjeevani, doctors are typically salaried staff or government employees. On private platforms, consultation fees range from ₹200–₹1500 depending on specialty, with platforms taking a cut. Senior specialists and super-specialists can command higher fees. The income per hour is generally lower than in-person OPD but with zero commute and flexible scheduling. Is telemedicine good for doctor-patient relationships? Surveys show mixed results among doctors globally. About 39% of physicians feel it reduces personal connection and trust. It works well for follow-ups, chronic disease monitoring, mental health consults, and minor acute illness. It does not replace physical examination for new presentations, surgical evaluations, or anything requiring hands-on assessment.