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  1. #1
    Join Date
    Sep 2009
    Posts
    1

    Default Online Medicine

    My question involves medical malpractice in the state of: All (virtual)

    Hello, I am a new doctor that will be getting my medical license soon and had some questions.

    While i am finishing residency I am interested in starting a part-time online medical practice that would be using just typical webcam software for face to face consultation and paypal for a nominal cheap fee that most people could afford for a 15-20 min visit. My aim would be to provide some simple quality medical care for cheap for those that are busy, have difficult access to care, or to the uninsured while I finish out my residency.

    My question and problem lies in the fact that a virtual exam obviously lacks the thoroughness and completeness of a true office visit because of the lack of a complete physical exam. Granted I would only plan to handle very simple medical problems that most often could just be diagnosed and prescribed with a good history, but I am wondering what kind of litigation I am opening myself up to by starting this kind of practice, especially considering I am doing it only part-time and for little economic gain so I am wondering if it would be worth the trouble given the rough legal world we live in and the lack of standards in this new virtual realm.

    Any information or suggestions you have or could lead me to in order to safely protect myself and my patients in this endeavor would be greatly appreciated considering it is a new technology and I have been unable to find a lot of good information about state laws, malpractice protection, scope, etc...

    thanks,

    WebDoc

  2. #2
    Join Date
    Mar 2009
    Location
    Key West, FL
    Posts
    2,350

    Default Re: Online Medicine

    Have you run this by a medical malpractice insurance company? A malpractice attorney?

    I am still a big believer in good deeds, but I also am also a believer in that no good deed goes unpunished. Thus one has to find a balance.

    You know it might be a good idea, but the reality of the world is that, it is simply not a good idea from a financial aspect. I see the liability potential being far greater than any possible income or profit ( you do have to host it, pay for bandwidth, advertise it, etc.).

    Webcams are simply not good enough even for proper visual observations. You'd really need a virtual telepresence system that is being used in some hospitals and even those have nurses there to run tests and report their own observations (often). Those things are very expensive and obviously not going to be found in the home.

    Plus, as you have already observed, the law of the internet is still in development and there is little if any case law on what you want to do. You would be making yourself a guinea pig. Also, I doubt any medical malpractice insurance company would touch it, especially in the case of a new doctor.

    Becoming a family practice doctor would be the best thing you could do if you are all that caring.

  3. #3
    Join Date
    Oct 2006
    Location
    supratentorial region
    Posts
    818

    Default Re: Online Medicine

    Start by discussing your plan with your malpractice insurance provider. They will be able to advise you regarding liability and standard of care expectations.

  4. #4
    Join Date
    Mar 2005
    Location
    Michigan
    Posts
    28,906

    Default Re: Online Medicine

    Unless you're licensed to practice in all states, you're likely headed for trouble in states where you're not licensed. The unauthorized practice of medicine is typically treated as a criminal offense, and prescribing medications across state lines can potentially land you in ethics trouble with the state(s) where you are licensed.

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