Title: Legal and ethical considerations for home-based telemedicine

Authors: Tyler McComas; Y. Tony Yang

Addresses: New York City Law Department, 100 Church St, New York, NY 10007, USA ' George Mason University, Department of Health Administration and Policy, 400 University Drive, MS:1J3, Fairfax, Virginia 22030, USA

Abstract: Home-based telemedicine technology has facilitated the transition of care to home and community-based settings. Yet, there have been few studies that have evaluated the legal and ethical implications of the expansion of telemedicine use. This article examines the legal issues related to the practice of medicine across jurisdictional boundaries, licensing requirements, privacy protection, and reimbursement for telemedical services. It also discusses relevant ethical principles at stake: provider-patient relationships, privacy and confidentiality, distributive and family justice, and informed consent. By addressing the relevant legal and ethical concerns, we are more likely to construct a more prudent and considerate healthcare system and avert the unsatisfactory and unforeseen repercussions of cutting-edge technologies that are so essential to present-day healthcare.

Keywords: health law; ethics; home-based telemedicine; licensing; reimbursement; privacy protection; provider-patient relationships; confidentiality; distributive justice; family justice; informed consent; legal considerations; ethical considerations; healthcare technology; jurisdictional boundaries; healthcare services.

DOI: 10.1504/IJTMCP.2015.069471

International Journal of Telemedicine and Clinical Practices, 2015 Vol.1 No.1, pp.32 - 46

Received: 02 Apr 2013
Accepted: 29 Jan 2014
Published online: 18 May 2015 *

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