Telemedicine is a promising delivery model for medical services, but it presents unique challenges. Telemedicine allows physicians to treat patients across state lines and requires uniformity and consistency in minimum standards of care in the treatment of patients. A physician must be licensed by, or under the jurisdiction of, the medical board of the state where the patient is located.
The National Association of Medical Staff Services (NAMSS) supports defined standards, such as the Model Policy for the Appropriate Use of Telemedicine Technologies in the Practice of Medicine generated by the Federation of State Medical Boards (FSMB), that establish universal guidelines and regulations for the appropriate use of telemedicine in delivering medical services. Consistent best practices must be implemented to guarantee that medical services delivered through telemedicine are appropriately regulated to ensure patient safety and quality, increase the availability of patient care by physicians, safeguard patient confidentiality, promote physician compliance, and remove patients’ barriers to care. In addition, it would guide the onboarding services provided by Medical Services Professionals (MSPs) in the licensing, credentialing, and privileging of physicians.
Published April 14, 2015