Title: An ethical analysis of telemedicine: implications for future research

Authors: Cynthia White-Williams; Dawn Oetjen

Addresses: College of Health and Public Affairs, University of Central Florida, 3564 Avalon Park Blvd E. Ste 1-263, Orlando FL 32828, USA ' Administration and Faculty Affairs, College of Health and Public Affairs, University of Central Florida, Orlando, FL 32816-2200, USA

Abstract: The challenges in healthcare have led to a system wide exploration of the potential benefits of remote monitoring. To comprehensively evaluate its utility, researchers, decision makers, and healthcare practitioners should assess remote monitoring in light of its ethical ramifications. This manuscript will consider two philosophical perspectives, teleology and deontology. Teleology, as supported by John Stuart Mill's utilitarian position, holds that the morality of a decision is based upon its consequences. In response, philosopher John Rawls offers a deontological framework, which supports remote monitoring if it benefits the most disadvantaged in society. It is through these philosophical frameworks that remote monitoring will be analysed in relation to its ability to affect change in access, quality, and cost of healthcare. Implications for future public health research will also be discussed.

Keywords: healthcare technology; ethics; telemedicine; philosophy; healthcare quality; access to healthcare; healthcare costs; ethical analysis; remote monitoring; teleology; deontology; public health research.

DOI: 10.1504/IJTMCP.2015.069470

International Journal of Telemedicine and Clinical Practices, 2015 Vol.1 No.1, pp.4 - 16

Received: 23 Oct 2013
Accepted: 25 Jan 2014

Published online: 18 May 2015 *

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