A longitudinal study reflecting a pandemic-driven revolution of telemedicine in Bangladesh with promising prospects

COVID-19 has been a public health crisis for quite a long time worldwide. Providing primary health care during this has proven to be quite difficult. Telemedicine played an imperative part in this by minimizing virus spread and utilizing the time of healthcare experts. This survey was designed to know about the prevalence of telemedicine during Covid-19 pandemic as well as its future prospect in Bangladesh. Four stakeholders were categorized for the study: common people, physicians, pharmaceutical professionals and regulatory body. Data was collected both via online and offline. Among the general people, 50.23% took health services through telemedicine service during the pandemic and 24.64% before the pandemic. Both general people (78.88%) and physicians (60%) expressed their satisfaction regarding the service. 93% pharmaceutical professionals also suggested that telemedicine should be implemented in all hospitals. Among the service takers 100% people were prescribed cold medicines. 58% of the respiratory issues were addressed through telemedicine. Physicians as well as regulatory authority considered raising awareness about telemedicine to be an important factor. Therefore, telemedicine should be utilized in several ways in our health sector. The post-Covid-19 era presents a unique opportunity for Bangladesh to harness the potential of telemedicine in addressing healthcare disparities and improving access to quality care. While challenges persist, strategic investments, technological innovation, and policy support can ensure that telemedicine becomes a cornerstone of a more equitable and efficient healthcare system in Bangladesh.