Page 5 - Part 2 Introduction to Telemedicine

SVMIC Introduction to Telemedicine

PART TWO

A Closer Look at Law and Regulation

It is important to understand the thinking behind the regulatory
and liability frameworks that surround telemedicine. This makes

compliance more than merely obedience; it becomes a matter of

good practice.

For most legal purposes, the practice of medicine is held to occur

at the location of the patient. State medical boards are charged

with protecting their citizens from malpractice, fraud and quackery.
Their dilemma for telemedicine is that they have no jurisdiction

over the license or performance of a doctor located in another
state. Discussion has been ongoing for decades about national

licensure, reciprocity/portability agreements, limited telemedicine
licenses and uniform standards. So far, States have tended to

protect their autonomy, with considerable variation in laws and

regulations.

However, in 2014 the Federation of State Medical Boards published

a Model Policy for the Appropriate Use of Telemedicine
Technologies in the Practice of Medicine (a copy of this can be

found at www.svmic.com). Many states have incorporated

principles from this Model in their own regulations. Typical
provisions include:

 Definition of telemedicine

 How a physician-patient relationship is established

 Licensure requirements

 Documentation requirements

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