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AMA ratifies ethical guidance on telemedicine, telehealth

The AMA adopted new guidance for the ethical practice of telemedicine at its annual meeting, according to a press release issued by the organization.

The guidance, which addresses differences in physicians' responsibilities between traditional patient interactions and telemedicine, was developed by the AMA's Council on Ethics and Judicial Affairs and ratified after a physician vote.

"Telehealth and telemedicine are another stage in the ongoing evolution of new models for the delivery of care and patient-physician interactions," Jack Resneck, MD, AMA board member, said in the release. "The new AMA ethical guidance notes that while new technologies and new models of care will continue to emerge, physicians' fundamental ethical responsibilities do not change."

The guidelines "permit physicians utilizing telehealth and telemedicine technology to exercise discretion in conducting a diagnostic evaluation and prescribing therapy, within certain safeguards," according to the release.

In addition, the guidelines acknowledge that coordination among physicians throughout the country would be necessary "to achieve the promise and avoid the pitfalls of telemedicine." The AMA encouraged physicians to become actively engaged to enhance technology, better standards and increase access to patients who want to use telemedicine.

"Physicians who provide clinical services through telemedicine must recognize the limitation of the relevant technologies and take appropriate steps to overcome those limitations," Resneck said in the release. "What matters is that physicians have access to the relevant information they need to make well-grounded recommendations for each patient."

Additional reading:

https://www.ama-assn.org/ama-adopts-new-guidance-ethical-practice-telemedicine