APMA News - January/February 2018 - 44

Coverage Corner
Submitted by PICA

Telemedicine and Professional Liability
* Some states allow the practice of medicine across

Telemedicine creates unique circumstances that
can affect the practice of medicine. Establishing
guidelines helps ensure patient safety and reduce
risk while delivering care at a distance.*
When talking about telemedicine, semantics
matter:
Telemedicine-the delivery of health care at
a distance
Telehealth-the delivery of health-related education
using technology
Virtual medicine-receiving health-related education
without human intervention
Know your state's definitions to ensure compliance.

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When creating guidelines for your telemedicine practice:
make decisions accounting for privacy, confidentiality,
and continuity of care;
consider technology and limitations;
coordinate care with other telemedicine providers;
focus on what will help the patient and provide the best
possible care;
take responsibility for all medical decisions and document them in the patient record; and
document what you did and why, especially if you deviate from typical practice procedures.

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When determining best practices for your telemedicine practice, ensure you:
measure technical capacity;
understand diagnostic accuracy;
review diagnostic impact;
evaluate the therapeutic impact; and
document how technology affected medical decisions.

state lines, but some still consider this situation to
be practicing without a license. Learn your state's
laws-and those where you will be practicing.
Venue determines access to the patient compensation fund. Find out if you can still use this
coverage.
Lapse of time in documentation increases risk.
Update the medical record in a timely fashion.
EHR metadata on mobile devices can easily be compromised. Know where your metadata is being stored,
and who can alter it.
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* No guideline can guarantee accurate diagnosis or a successful
patient outcome, or establish a standard of care. Stay informed
and in constant communication with other physicians to
maintain up-to-date guidelines for practice.
Revised and reprinted with permission from ProAssurance Corporation.
This article is not intended to constitute legal advice or create an attorney-
client relationship, but is intended for general information only. An attorney
or other resource should be consulted regarding individual cases.

For more information, contact the PICA Risk Management department at 800-251-5727, ext. 2107, or visit
www.picagroup.com.

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44 APMA News January/February 2018

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Liability considerations for telemedicine physicians:
There is a lack of data available about telemedicine
claims.
Technology can interrupt the continuity of care. Have a
plan in place to address this problem.
Consolidate all communications in a unified patient
record.
Know what establishes the physician-patient relationship.
Determine when physical exams may be required to
meet the standard of care.
Develop informed consent guidelines specific to telemedicine.
Contact your account manager or agent to discuss any
exposures you may have.

http://www.picagroup.com http://www.GooDwill.orG

Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of APMA News - January/February 2018