Dialogue Volume 10 Issue 2 2014 | Page 9

FEATURE Telemedicine: Different delivery of care, Same expectations of practice I n the digital-rich 21st century, technology has provided innovative opportunities to deliver health-care to patients. And as telemedicine has advanced, and developed, it is increasingly being used in diverse practice settings. The College recognizes the value of telemedicine and, in particular, the way in which it can benefit patients, physicians and other health-care professionals, and the broader health-care system by improving access to care, and increasing efficiencies in the delivery of care. Whether telemedicine is an appropriate way to deliver patient care will depend on the circumstances of each case. A Policy Working Group has recently developed a draft policy that will require the physician to evaluate the circumstances in each case to determine whether care can be delivered in a manner that enables the physician to satisfy all applicable legal and professional obligations, and meet the standard of care. Our current policy on telemedicine was developed in 2007, and much has changed since that time, said College President Dr. Marc Gabel. “Given the evolution of technology and the increased use of telemedicine in diverse practice settings in just these last few years, the draft policy has a significant number of new or revised expectations to ensure that it is clear, up-to-date and comprehensive,” he said. DIALOGUE • Issue 2, 2014 9