Telemedicine and the law

Telemedicine is a compelling healthcare delivery option that allows physicians in isolated and rural areas to access a full range of specialists and cutting-edge technologies usually available only at large, urban medical centers. However, there is uncertainty in the healthcare community about the impact this new technology will have on professional liability. A lack of legal precedents makes it difficult to determine how the courts would respond to malpractice claims related to the practice of telemedicine. Providers of telemedicine can limit the potential for liability exposure by clarifying physician licensure issues, revising physician credentialing procedures, establishing practice standards, videotaping telemedical procedures, safeguarding computerized medical records, and learning more about the impact of telemedicine on malpractice insurance rates.