telemedicine
etc.) but does not specify technical or
security requirements.
“We chose not to specify particular
technical or security requirements
because the technology is rapidly
evolving and we did not want to risk
dating the policy,” said Dr. Gabel.
“For that reason, we didn’t specify
which technology is currently unsecure, like Skype for instance. Instead,
we’ve stated that physicians must use
technology that is secure, and will
therefore satisfy their obligations to
keep patient’s personal health information private and confidential. We
can’t be sure what the landscape will
look like even one year from now;
and security requirements evolve quite
quickly,” he said.
Instead, the policy sets out general
expectations for the appropriate use of
telemedicine, which are based on the
proposition that the practise of telemedicine is the practise of medicine.
The policy is attached on page 23.
The policy – and a Patient Information Sheet and FAQs – can also be
viewed or downloaded from our
website at www.cpso.on.ca.
Conditions for the Appropriate Use
of Telemedicine
Physicians must:
Consider the patient’s existing health status, specific health
care needs and specific circumstances, and only use telemedicine if the risks do not outweigh the potential benefits and it is
in the patient’s best interest.
I
dentify what resources (e.g., information and communication
technology, equipment, support staff, etc.) are required, and
only proceed if those resources are available and can be used
effectively.
E
nsure the reliability, quality, and timeliness of the patient
information obtained via telemedicine is sufficient, and the
patient is accurately identified.
P
rotect the privacy and confidentiality of the patient’s personal
health information. This is done by ensuring the information
and communication technology and physical settings used
have reasonable security protocols in place, and by taking
reasonable steps to confirm the technology and physical setting the patient is using permits the sharing of information in a
private and secure manner.
E
nsure the physical setting in which the care is being delivered
is appropriate and safe; there must be a plan in place to manage adverse events and/or emergencies.
How does the College make policy?
We work hard to ensure that
our policies are evidencebased, fulfil the College’s
public interest mandate, and
provide clear, useful guidance
to the profession.
Using an infographic, we
take you through several steps
in our robust process that
ensures that we deliver the
best policies possible.
See the entire infographic at www.cpso.on.ca
46
Dialogue Issue 4, 2014