Telemedicine: dos and don'ts to mitigate liability risk

Area of Science:

• Healthcare Management
• Medical Informatics
• Public Health

Background:

• The COVID-19 pandemic accelerated the adoption of telemedicine tools.
• State-imposed practice restrictions necessitated widespread use of remote healthcare solutions.
• As restrictions ease, telemedicine remains a viable and efficient care delivery model.

Purpose of the Study:

• To outline strategies for effective telemedicine implementation.
• To guide healthcare providers in managing patient expectations and care delivery.
• To identify methods for mitigating professional liability risks associated with telemedicine.

Main Methods:

• Review of current telemedicine practices and challenges.
• Development of best practice recommendations for patient engagement.
• Analysis of risk management strategies in remote healthcare settings.

Main Results:

• Telemedicine presents a cost-effective and efficient method for patient care.
• Proactive patient communication and expectation management are crucial.
• Adherence to prudent and timely care protocols minimizes liability.

Conclusions:

• Telemedicine is a sustainable model for healthcare delivery.
• Implementing recommended strategies can enhance patient care quality.
• Effective telemedicine practice significantly reduces the risk of medical malpractice.