telemedicine
The transfer and use of medical information via electronic communications
media. Such media include telephones, fax machines, interactive video, e-mail,
and instant electronic monitoring. Offering healthcare services with the assistance
of electronic media offers a number of advantages including: providing specialty
care to underserved rural and urban populations, alleviating transportation
hardships and costs, and new possibilities for continuing education. However,
there are potential drawbacks and liabilities, including: determining which
set of professional standards apply when treatment/diagnosis is conducted from
multiple locations, privacy issues, and questions concerning establishment of
a professional relationship (e.g., does a remote, electronic encounter establish
one?).
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PLI III.E