Ethics of telemedicine

We have previously discussed about telemedicine. Basically telemedicine is medicine practiced over a distance. Although telemedicine increases efficiency, and improves resource allocation, there are some ethical issues that need to be considered. First, in order for a doctor to undertake telemedicine, the doctor must be authentic to practice medicine in the intended state or country. Ideally, all patients to seek medical advice should meet a doctor face to face, and telemedicine usage should be restricted to situations where the doctor cannot physically meet the patient. If a direct telemedicine is needed, the doctor should have a professional relationship, knowledge about the patient, and knowledge about the problem to take undertake the proper treatment. The doctor who is in charge of the telemedicine is responsible. Eventhough one might seek for help from other doctors, the person who is in charge of the patient is the one who is responsible. Therefore doctors that perform telemedicine must ensure that the equipments used are ones with high standards. Basically, the doctor is resoponsible for giving the best possible treatment for the patient.

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