Ayurveda clinical practice in the digital era: Lessons from clinics warrant policy reform

ABSTRACT: India is observing a digital boom currently. The presence of digital technology has affected almost every single activity in the country, may it be individual or organizational. Its presence is palpable in Ayurveda clinical practice too. Tele-consultations through various digital platforms have become one of the most visible applications of digital technology in Ayurveda. This has made the services of Vaidya (an Ayurveda physician) available to all, irrespective of the physical distance between the two. Availability of Ayurvedic drugs at doorsteps has also become possible through the merchandising application of technology. Learning new clinical skills and enhancing knowledge through continuous medical education has become easier than before. As with every new thing, digital technology also comes with its merits and demerits or caveats. There have not been any specific regulations to cover tele-consultation as an authentic and accountable mode of providing healthcare. In Ayurveda, it is too preliminary, and so a detailed guideline is required to be made. Merchandising the services and products through digital platforms requires clear reforms in the existing Drugs and Magic Remedies (Objectionable Advertisements) Act, 1954, related to advertising drugs and services, so as to minimize their misuse. Many newer applications of digital technology for hospital management, artificial intelligence-based precision medicine, and preconsultation analysis of various parameters such as Prakriti (~normalcy/physical constitution) and Vikriti (~morbidity) can be of great help to the clinical practice of Ayurveda.