Telemedicine
Telemedicine, unlike traditional medicine, does not require the presence of a caregiver and the patients in the same proximity. Telemedicine uses electronic information to communicate health information and offer healthcare support to persons separated by distance (Gajarawala & Pelkowski, 2021). Despite its effectiveness in enhancing the efficiency of care and bridging the care gap in remote locations, its utility may sometime present ethical and legal challenges. Legal issues apparent in telemedicine include licensing, tele-prescribing, and privacy and confidentiality. Ethical issues that may be apparent in telemedicine include threats to patient privacy, loss of the patient-doctor relationship, and inaccurate and unclear reporting of health information.
Issues that are most difficult to address in the utility of telemedicine are the legal provisions of licensing as well as the ethical issue of unclear reporting of health information. Licensing remains a key legal provision in many states, with states requiring physicians to only practice within their jurisdiction. Telemedicine, however, allows for cross-state communication that enables physicians to practice in states in which they are not licensed (Panter, 2022). Unclear reporting remains an ethical issue in telemedicine (Ataç et al., 2018). Due to the absence of physical contact, caregivers may sometimes misinterpret information given to them by the patients. the patients may also fail to give accurate information on their health.
For the successful practice of telemedicine, good internet connectivity is key. Information technology infrastructure, information system software and hardware, and communication devices such as computers and smartphones are also necessary. Mobile applications and communication software such as video teleconferencing applications are valuable in telemedicine. Obstacles to telemedicine use include poor internet connectivity, lack of technological experience or knowledge for both the patient and the caregivers, lack of technological devices necessary for telemedicine such as smartphones or computers as well as the unwillingness of the caregivers to use telemedicine.
References
Ataç, A., Kurt, E., & Yurdakul, S. (2018). An Overview of Ethical Problems in Telemedicine Technology. Procedia – Social And Behavioral Sciences, 103, 116-121. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.sbspro.2013.10.315
Gajarawala, S., & Pelkowski, J. (2021). Telehealth Benefits and Barriers. The Journal For Nurse Practitioners, 17(2), 218-221. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.nurpra.2020.09.013
Panter, M. (2022). Potential Legal Implications of Telemedicine and Telehealth – Law Technology Today. Law Technology Today. Retrieved 3 July 2022, from https://www.lawtechnologytoday.org/2021/01/implications-of-telemedicine-and-telehealth/.
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Question 
Telemedicine can be extremely beneficial for people living in isolated regions and is currently being applied in virtually all medical domains. To address major health issues related to affordability, access, and quality of care, healthcare providers need to consider telemedicine as a reliable option when access to traditional medicine is difficult and out of reach. Healthcare providers, however, must consider legal and ethical issues when planning, designing, and implementing telemedicine. Key among these issues is those of patient confidentiality, privacy, data security, and transmission.
How does telemedicine differ from the traditional medicine?
What are other legal or ethical issues involved in telemedicine?
Which of these issues, in your opinion, will be the most difficult to address?
What technologies or infrastructure are necessary for the successful practice of telemedicine?
What obstacles can prevent healthcare providers from seeing telemedicine as a reliable option, even when access to traditional medicine is difficult or out of reach?
To support your work, use your course and textbook readings and also use the South University Online Library. As in all assignments, cite your sources in your work and provide references for the citations in APA format.
Your initial posting should be addressed at 150-300 words. Submit your document to this Discussion Area by the due date assigned. Be sure to cite your sources using APA format.
Respond to your peers throughout the week. Justify your answers with examples, research, and reasoning. Follow up posts need to be submitted by the end of the week.