Telemedicine in simple terms is the use of communication equipment by health practitioners to reach out to patients outside their regions. It is a bigger concept when compared to cybermedicine. Cybermedicine refers to the use of the internet to practice medicine. Telemedicine is broader and includes using various infrastructure to capture images, process, transmit, store and display data that can help in the practice of medicine. Different methods of communication can be used in telemedicine such as electronic mail, facsimile, and telephones. It has great benefits for both the patient and the physician. There is a growing need for telemedicine licensing and legislators are moving in fast to change the old laws to govern the developing practice.
The old laws have been restricting the practice of medicine by a physician to a specific region. This was usually where the physician applied for the license. One of the legal issues that have been raised is whether a different license should be issued to physicians practicing telemedicine. This is mainly because it allows a physician to offer medical services to a patient in another part of the world. Medical laws are restricted to the area of the license and a physician can only practice medicine if the patient is within the same geographical area.
However, this does not include medical consultations between health practitioners. A physician can provide advice to a fellow physician who has the primary responsibility of a patient in another region.
A lot of changes have emerged with the growth of telemedicine. Firstly the doctor-patient relationship has changed with time. The physicians' roles have also changed, they are now required to accommodate the changing healthcare systems. This has made some of the doctors feel threatened as it has affected how they have been dealing with their patients.
The old legislation and licensing powers made physicians have control over their services and the best procedures and treatments they could give to their patients. With the modern systems, this has shifted. The duty of care is now open-ended where there are no limits as to where the diagnosis, treatment and care stop.
One thing that is yet to be factored with telemedicine is the bearer of the financial costs involved. As patients have a voice in the diagnosis and treatment methods to be used, physicians are feeling left out and this has created possible tension between them and their patients.
The impact of the strained relationship is felt when a patient rejects what the physician has offered as the solution. This is despite the fact that the physician is acting in the best interest of the patient. Patients are nowadays more informed and taking more responsibility for their health and treatment options. The role of the physicians has evolved to more of a mentoring, educational and supportive role to the patient. This is the way telemedicine is structured.
It is important that the physicians, legislators and other medical organizations work together to structure the new developments. They can come up with principles, guidelines, and protocols that ensure the safety of the patient and that of the physician. An atmosphere of trust can be created to make the physicians feel supported and allow them to embrace the changes to the health system with minimal or no resistance.
The old laws have been restricting the practice of medicine by a physician to a specific region. This was usually where the physician applied for the license. One of the legal issues that have been raised is whether a different license should be issued to physicians practicing telemedicine. This is mainly because it allows a physician to offer medical services to a patient in another part of the world. Medical laws are restricted to the area of the license and a physician can only practice medicine if the patient is within the same geographical area.
However, this does not include medical consultations between health practitioners. A physician can provide advice to a fellow physician who has the primary responsibility of a patient in another region.
A lot of changes have emerged with the growth of telemedicine. Firstly the doctor-patient relationship has changed with time. The physicians' roles have also changed, they are now required to accommodate the changing healthcare systems. This has made some of the doctors feel threatened as it has affected how they have been dealing with their patients.
The old legislation and licensing powers made physicians have control over their services and the best procedures and treatments they could give to their patients. With the modern systems, this has shifted. The duty of care is now open-ended where there are no limits as to where the diagnosis, treatment and care stop.
One thing that is yet to be factored with telemedicine is the bearer of the financial costs involved. As patients have a voice in the diagnosis and treatment methods to be used, physicians are feeling left out and this has created possible tension between them and their patients.
The impact of the strained relationship is felt when a patient rejects what the physician has offered as the solution. This is despite the fact that the physician is acting in the best interest of the patient. Patients are nowadays more informed and taking more responsibility for their health and treatment options. The role of the physicians has evolved to more of a mentoring, educational and supportive role to the patient. This is the way telemedicine is structured.
It is important that the physicians, legislators and other medical organizations work together to structure the new developments. They can come up with principles, guidelines, and protocols that ensure the safety of the patient and that of the physician. An atmosphere of trust can be created to make the physicians feel supported and allow them to embrace the changes to the health system with minimal or no resistance.
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