LEARN MORE ABOUT CIVIL LIABILITY
Telemedicine has experienced exponential growth in recent years, especially since the Covid-19 pandemic. This modality of remote medical care has been a great advance in maintaining continuity in patient care, but it has also posed new challenges in terms of civil liability for health professionals.
Main risks posed to the doctor in Telemedicine
One of the main risks that doctors face in telemedicine is the lack of physical contact with the patient. Unlike in-person consultations, where it is possible to perform exhaustive physical examinations, in telemedicine doctors rely heavily on the information provided by the patient and the interpretation of symptoms through a screen. This limitation increases the possibility of erroneous or incomplete diagnoses, which in turn can result in malpractice claims.
Another important risk is the security of medical information. Data transmission over digital platforms can be vulnerable to security breaches and privacy violations. If confidential patient information is leaked, the doctor could face not only lawsuits for medical negligence, but also sanctions for violation of data protection regulations.
A third significant risk in telemedicine is the difficulty in establishing a strong and empathetic doctor-patient relationship. In face-to-face consultations, direct contact and in-person interactions go a long way toward creating an environment of trust and mutual understanding between doctor and patient. However, in telemedicine, this connection can be more challenging to achieve due to communication through screens.
Protection measures in Civil Liability for the doctor
To mitigate these risks, healthcare professionals practicing telemedicine must take a series of preventative measures. Firstly, it is crucial to obtain adequate Public Liability insurance to cover claims arising from the practice of telemedicine. This type of insurance should provide a legal and financial safety net in case you face lawsuits for alleged medical errors or malpractice.
In addition, it is essential to seek advice from professionals who understand the profession and its relationship with insurance, in addition to following best practices in the provision of telemedicine services. To this end, the value of a mediator is vital to avoid conflicts with insurance companies. This includes establishing clear protocols for collecting patient information, conducting thorough medical history evaluations, and maintaining high standards of data security. Continuing training in the use of telemedicine technologies and effective remote communication is also essential to reduce the risk of errors and misunderstandings.
The value of Uniteco training
In this context, the training offered by Uniteco takes on particular importance. As a leading insurance brokerage in the healthcare sector, Uniteco is not only dedicated to providing insurance protection to doctors, but also anticipates and prevents potential problems that may arise in the practice of medicine. Its training programs are designed to equip healthcare professionals with the knowledge and skills necessary to meet the specific challenges of telemedicine.
These trainings not only cover technical aspects of telemedicine, such as the use of digital platforms and the management of patient information, but also address ethical and legal issues related to remote practice. Doctors who participate in these trainings are better prepared to identify and manage the risks associated with telemedicine, allowing them to offer a higher quality and safer service to their patients.
More information: Uniteco Blog – Protecting those who care for us (unitecoprofesional.es)
