Evolution of India’s National teleconsultation platform e-Sanjeevani: A comparative analysis of versions 2.0 and 1.0, with a preliminary report from the state of Haryana

The rapid evolution of teleconsultation in countries like India has been transformative for healthcare accessibility. This pilot study was designed to compare the upgraded teleconsultation platform (e-Sanjeevani 2.0) with its predecessor (e-Sanjeevani 1.0), with an aim to highlight advancements, challenges, and future possibilities within the realm of digital health. Utilizing a pilot design, the current study thoroughly examined e-Sanjeevani 2.0 in comparison to e-Sanjeevani 1.0. The evaluation was conducted within a centralized hub established in a tertiary care hospital in north India, catering to the state of Haryana. Key stakeholders were chosen based on defined criteria to ensure a holistic representation. A mixed-methods approach involving qualitative and quantitative data collection of the telemedicine platform, participant feedback for paper-based questionnaires and consultation data over a span of five months, was employed. Analysing 57,288 teleconsultations, e-Sanjeevani 2.0 showcased improvements in number of calls including enhanced audio-video connectivity, facilitation of past consultation attachment, preview and synchronization of prescriptions, and integration of artificial intelligence (AI). In consultation call analysis for both platforms, there were notable reductions in inadequate case details by 2.23% and cases with no AV connectivity by 8.2%, thereby upgrading of consultation quality by 7.75% in e-Sanjeevani 2.0. Further majority of participants (65%) favoured e-Sanjeevani 2.0 as the superior teleconsultation platform, despite identified challenges in dashboard optimization and chief complaint refinement. The study underscores the significant advancements brought about by the teleconsultation platform e-Sanjeevani 2.0, positively impacting healthcare accessibility and consultation efficiency for enhancing patient care and healthcare delivery in diverse populations like India.