Telemedicine is a bigger concept than cybermedicine. It refers to the practice of medicine through different modes of communication such as telephone, electronic mail, facsimile among others. In simple terms, it can be described as the use of communication equipment by medical practitioners to reach patients at different locations. It can involve the use of infrastructures such as physical equipment that is used to capture the process, transmit and store, process and display data. Cybermedicine is limited to the practice of medicine online. The potential benefits of telemedicine are great. This has made the need for telemedicine licensing greater as legislators move to adopt the old laws to the new practice.
As per the old laws, physicians are only allowed to practice medicine within their jurisdiction and treat a patient who is also in the same area. Medical licenses specify the area where the practice can be carried out and this is mostly the area where it has been applied for. Telemedicine, however, does not follow this restriction. A medical professional can practice medicine, treat as well as diagnose a patient in a different location. This has raised the legal concerns as to whether a different license is needed to allow professionals to expand their jurisdiction.
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.
The introduction of telemedicine has brought in a lot of changes affecting the doctor-patient relationship and the process is constantly changing with time. The role of the physician has also changed with the need for physicians to accommodate the changes in the healthcare systems. Some doctors feel threatened by the introduction of telemedicine and this has also threatened the doctor-patient relationship.
The old system had laws and licensing powers given to physicians to make them feel in control of what they did and how they treated their patients. They could choose the treatments to give and the best procedures for their patients. With the introduction of telemedicine, this has shifted and patients now have a say. The limit to the duty of care when it comes to diagnosis and treatment is open-ended.
In Telemedicine the responsibility for the financial costs and who should pay them is yet to be factored in. Patients also have a say in which diagnosis and treatment they prefer. This has made the health practitioners uneasy in their relationship with their patients and they feel left out.
This especially happens when patients reject the opinion of the physicians who are looking out for their best interests. The patients are now more informed and are taking responsibility in deciding their own treatment. Telemedicine fits in well with this arrangement where the role of the physician now evolves to mentoring, educating the patient, offering evidence to support the treatment option.
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.
As per the old laws, physicians are only allowed to practice medicine within their jurisdiction and treat a patient who is also in the same area. Medical licenses specify the area where the practice can be carried out and this is mostly the area where it has been applied for. Telemedicine, however, does not follow this restriction. A medical professional can practice medicine, treat as well as diagnose a patient in a different location. This has raised the legal concerns as to whether a different license is needed to allow professionals to expand their jurisdiction.
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.
The introduction of telemedicine has brought in a lot of changes affecting the doctor-patient relationship and the process is constantly changing with time. The role of the physician has also changed with the need for physicians to accommodate the changes in the healthcare systems. Some doctors feel threatened by the introduction of telemedicine and this has also threatened the doctor-patient relationship.
The old system had laws and licensing powers given to physicians to make them feel in control of what they did and how they treated their patients. They could choose the treatments to give and the best procedures for their patients. With the introduction of telemedicine, this has shifted and patients now have a say. The limit to the duty of care when it comes to diagnosis and treatment is open-ended.
In Telemedicine the responsibility for the financial costs and who should pay them is yet to be factored in. Patients also have a say in which diagnosis and treatment they prefer. This has made the health practitioners uneasy in their relationship with their patients and they feel left out.
This especially happens when patients reject the opinion of the physicians who are looking out for their best interests. The patients are now more informed and are taking responsibility in deciding their own treatment. Telemedicine fits in well with this arrangement where the role of the physician now evolves to mentoring, educating the patient, offering evidence to support the treatment option.
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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