Traditional medical care is often hard to come by at sea. But thanks to advances in technology, telemedicine is able to bridge the gap, keeping crews safe and healthy while sailing the globe.
Shipping faces unique challenges in providing healthcare to crew members who spend extended periods at sea, often far from traditional medical facilities. In recent years, telemedicine has emerged as a critical solution, enabling remote medical care through advanced telecommunications technology.
By leveraging tech, telemedicine delivers remote medical services through a variety of applications. It allows crew to receive immediate consultations and medical advice during long voyages, provide emergency response until shore-based treatment is available, and offer ongoing monitoring for chronic illnesses.
“Providing advanced healthcare solutions for the maritime sector is a responsibility we take very seriously at TMA,” says Philip Sotiriades, CEO of Telematic Medical Applications. “Our products, such as the Noah Ark of Health and ePokratis, are designed to offer top-quality medical care, improving the well-being of seafarers and reducing operational disruptions, no matter how remote their location might be.
Providing advanced healthcare solutions for the maritime sector is a responsibility we take very seriously at TMA. Our products, such as the Noah Ark of Health and ePokratis, are designed to offer top-quality medical care, improving the well-being of seafarers and reducing operational disruptions, no matter how remote their location might be
“Our focus on Ai-driven healthcare enables us to offer real-time medical assistance, improving the well-being of seafarers and reducing operational disruptions. We are grateful for the ongoing support from our partners and remain steadfast in our mission to improve the health and safety of maritime crews around the globe.”
Elsewhere, and with increased awareness around crew mental welfare, there’s also a variety of support and counselling services available for crew members, helping to address mental health challenges posed by isolation and the demanding nature of working on board a vessel.
Naturally, technological advances are driving telemedicine’s effectiveness and reach in the industry. Enhanced satellite communications and emerging 5G technology ensure reliable internet access for uninterrupted medical consultations.
Meanwhile, handheld medical devices allow crew members to perform diagnostic tests remotely, guided by healthcare professionals ashore, while wearable health monitors continuously track vital signs, facilitating proactive health management.
Though nascent, AI is helping to improve diagnostic accuracy and to personalise treatment, while cloud computing and mobile apps are granting crew access to medical record and direct health management tools. Combined, the two are drastically improving diagnosis, treatment and health management on board.
Despite its benefits, telemedicine implementation faces several hurdles. Though technology is improving and changing the way services are delivered, reliable and high-speed internet is required to deliver many services – and that’s often lacking in remote areas.
Elsewhere, data security remains problematic. Ensuring the privacy and security of medical data being sent over networks is critical, though hard to guarantee. That’s exacerbated by poor connectivity and regulatory hurdles which often have their own laws governing telemedicine and data transfer.
Setup costs can be prohibitive too, especially if they require upgrades to the ship’s technology or infrastructure. To that end, initial setup and ongoing operational costs must be weighed against the potential healthcare savings from reduced offshore medical evacuations and other emergencies.
In essence we are operating an emergency ‘999’ service 24/7/365. This requires fundamental resilience to ensure the service is functional and responsive 100% of the time. Thus we have built in multi-level back-up functions for the telecommunication systems, personnel, and the Doctors providing the essential advice
Buyers guide: what procurement needs to know
Compatibility and Integration
Telemedicine solutions must integrate smoothly with existing onboard systems, such as communication technologies and electronic health records (EHRs).
This integration ensures that medical data can be seamlessly transferred between the ship and shore-based medical facilities, facilitating real-time updates and comprehensive care continuity.
“In essence we are operating an emergency ‘999’ service 24/7/365,” says Dr Spike Briggs of Medical Support Offshore. “This requires fundamental resilience to ensure the service is functional and responsive 100% of the time.
“Thus we have built in multi-level back-up functions for the telecommunication systems, personnel, and the Doctors providing the essential advice.
“We make sure that every link in the chain of providing the service has multiple response layers that can be called upon in real-time.”
Regulatory Compliance
Telemedicine involves sensitive health data, which must be handled according to strict privacy laws and regulations that vary by jurisdiction. Compliance with international standards like GDPR in Europe, HIPAA in the U.S., and other maritime health regulations is essential to operate legally and ethically across different waters.
Connectivity Requirements
Given that ships operate in remote areas with varying levels of internet connectivity, telemedicine solutions must be effective under potentially limited conditions.
Solutions that can perform well with low bandwidth or that can switch between satellite and other forms of communication are particularly valuable.
Some systems offer features like data compression or store-and-forward technology, which allows data to be collected and sent once a connection is established.
Telemedicine involves sensitive health data, which must be handled according to strict privacy laws and regulations that vary by jurisdiction. Compliance with international standards like GDPR in Europe, HIPAA in the U.S., and other maritime health regulations is essential to operate legally and ethically across different waters
Usability and Training Needs
The system should be user-friendly, considering that not all crew members may have medical training. Simplicity in the user interface and clear instructions for use are critical. Additionally, the vendor should provide thorough training for crew members and offer ongoing support to ensure the system is used correctly and effectively.
Service and Support
The nature of maritime operations means that support needs to be available around the clock and from any location. Providers should offer robust technical support and service agreements that include regular updates and maintenance checks to ensure the system remains operational and up-to-date with the latest health standards and technological advancements.
“MSOS has developed a Telemedical Communication System (‘Themis’) that enables crew to measure a range of vital signs,” says Briggs. “This data is automatically transmitted to the MSOS TMAS Control Room for review by the on-call Doctors. Themis also provides a ‘case management’ function that allows entry of patient notes, details of the incident, and also an advice line to the On-Call Doctor.”
Scalability and Flexibility
The telemedicine system should be scalable to adapt to different sizes and types of vessels, and flexible enough to accommodate various medical needs and crew sizes. This scalability ensures that the investment remains viable even as the company’s fleet or operational scope changes.
Security Features
Given the high stakes of medical data security, the system must include advanced security protocols to prevent unauthorized access and data breaches. This includes encryption, secure user authentication processes, and regular security audits.
Cost-Effectiveness
Evaluating the cost involves not only the upfront and installation costs but also long-term operational costs including updates, maintenance, and training. It’s crucial to consider the return on investment, which could be measured in terms of reduced medical evacuation costs, decreased downtime due to medical emergencies, and lower insurance premiums due to improved crew health.
Proven Effectiveness and Reliability
It’s advisable to choose solutions that have a proven track record of success in maritime settings. Seeking out case studies, customer testimonials, and pilot program results can provide insight into how a system performs in real-world conditions and its reliability.
Vendor Experienceand Reputation
Selecting vendors with specific experience and expertise in the maritime industry can be hugely beneficial. These vendors will have a better understanding of the unique challenges faced at sea and can tailor their solutions to meet these specific conditions.
As the shipping industry continues to navigate the complexities of providing healthcare at sea, telemedicine stands out as a vital innovation. It tackles the unique challenges of maritime medical care and it improves the health and safety of crew. It also ensures efficient operations and compliance with global health standards. And as technology advances so too will telemedicine, bringing a healthier and safer future for maritime workers.
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