Telemedicine: applications and ethical considerations

Just like traditional healthcare providers, telemedicine practitioners must obtain permission to treat patients and be officially recognized by any healthcare facility where they offer their services. As telemedicine has grown in popularity, concerns have arisen regarding practitioners prescribing controlled substances to patients they haven't physically examined. In an article from the Elsevier journal authored by a professional from the Department of Pulmonary, Allergy, Critical Care, and Sleep Medicine in Atlanta, USA, a critical aspect of a "valid prescription" is that the prescriber, or a designated substitute, must conduct at least one in-person medical assessment of the patient.
Individual telemedicine practitioners might consider creating their own informed consent forms in collaboration with legal experts. This serves not only to improve patient awareness but also to mitigate potential legal risks in case unfavorable outcomes occur. In essence, telemedicine is just another method of practicing medicine. It's crucial to avoid conflicts of interest and uphold the highest ethical standards throughout the process.