AMA adopts new guidance for ethical practice in telemedicine

New ethical guidance adopted today at the American Medical Association's (AMA) Annual Meeting will help physicians understand how their fundamental responsibilities may play out differently when patient interactions occur through telemedicine, compared to traditional patient interactions at a medical office or hospital.

The new ethical guidance on telehealth and telemedicine was developed over the past three years by the AMA's Council on Ethics and Judicial Affairs, and adopted by a vote of physicians from every corner of the country. The development of the new guidelines coincides with innovations in technology that are changing the ways in which people live their lives, including reshaping the ways they engage with medicine.