ABSTRACT
Teledermatology is now fully incorporated into our clinical practice. However, after reviewing current legislation on the ethical aspects of teledermatology (data confidentiality, quality of care, patient autonomy, and privacy) as well as insurance and professional responsibility, we observed that a specific regulatory framework is still lacking and related legal aspects are still at a preliminary stage of development. Safeguarding confidentiality and patient autonomy and ensuring secure storage and transfer of data are essential aspects of telemedicine. One of the main topics of debate has been the responsibilities of the physicians involved in the process, with the concept of designating a single responsible clinician emerging as a determining factor in the allocation of responsibility in this setting. A specific legal and regulatory framework must be put in place to ensure the safe practice of teledermatology for medical professionals and their patients.
Subject(s)
Confidentiality , Dermatology , Telemedicine , COVID-19/epidemiology , Computer Security/ethics , Computer Security/legislation & jurisprudence , Confidentiality/ethics , Confidentiality/legislation & jurisprudence , Dermatology/ethics , Dermatology/legislation & jurisprudence , Emergencies , European Union , Humans , Informed Consent/legislation & jurisprudence , Insurance, Liability/legislation & jurisprudence , Pandemics , Personal Autonomy , SARS-CoV-2 , Spain , Telemedicine/ethics , Telemedicine/legislation & jurisprudenceABSTRACT
Teledermatology is now fully incorporated into our clinical practice. However, after reviewing current legislation on the ethical aspects of teledermatology (data confidentiality, quality of care, patient autonomy, and privacy) as well as insurance and professional responsibility, we observed that a specific regulatory framework is still lacking and related legal aspects are still at a preliminary stage of development. Safeguarding confidentiality and patient autonomy and ensuring secure storage and transfer of data are essential aspects of telemedicine. One of the main topics of debate has been the responsibilities of the physicians involved in the process, with the concept of designating a single responsible clinician emerging as a determining factor in the allocation of responsibility in this setting. A specific legal and regulatory framework must be put in place to ensure the safe practice of teledermatology for medical professionals and their patients. Resumen El ejercicio de la teledermatología ya se encuentra plenamente incorporado a nuestra práctica clínica. Sin embargo, tras revisar aspectos legislativos y éticos sobre confidencialidad, calidad asistencial, autonomía del paciente, privacidad, responsabilidad profesional y seguros en relación con la teledermatología constatamos que aún carece de regulación específica, estando los aspectos legales de la misma poco desarrollados. Garantizar la confidencialidad, la autonomía del paciente y la seguridad en el almacenamiento y envío de los datos son cuestiones imprescindibles para su práctica. La responsabilidad de los facultativos que intervienen en el proceso es uno de los principales motivos de controversia, siendo la figura del médico responsable determinante para decidir sobre la atribución de la misma. Es necesario el desarrollo de una regulación concreta para ejercer la teledermatología de forma segura para los profesionales y los pacientes.