Page 14 - Telemedicine - Essentials of Virtual Care Delivery Part Two

SVMIC Telemedicine: Essentials of Virtual Care Delivery

downloaded from the SVMIC website. If you’re treating new

patients via telemedicine, then the consent should also include
a general consent for treatment.

There are some unique risks to receiving care via telemedicine

that patients should be made aware of as part of obtaining their
consent to treatment. Some of these risks include: an inability to

completely assess the patient’s condition given the diagnostic
limitations of the equipment used, namely the inability to

touch, smell, or physically examine certain areas of the body;
limitations in the equipment or connection which may render

the visit inadequate for remote consultation; and the possibility
that the patient cannot be adequately assessed by telemedicine,

necessitating a referral for in-person treatment. Some states
have specific informed consent requirements including

disclosures of risks specifically associated with telemedicine,
such as equipment failure or privacy breach during the visit.

Additionally, depending on the reason for the encounter, as
well as the medical specialty, there may be other unique risks

and considerations for the telemedicine encounter. Expected
benefits of the telemedicine encounter, such as improved

access to medical care while allowing patients to remain at
home, should also be included as part of the consent.

Obviously given the remote nature of the visit, it’s sometimes
difficult to present the patient with a written form for signature,

but many telemedicine platforms have the capability
of electronically capturing a patient’s consent. During

the pandemic, many states suspended written consent
requirements and allowed verbal consent, as it may be the

only option and is usually considered sufficient under the
circumstances in most jurisdictions.

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