The Indian Medical Association (IMA) has asked the Medical Council of India (MCI) to provide clear-cut guidelines on telemedicine. On 8th August 2018, IMA stated the practice of telemedicine as illegal and unethical. The issue came into notice following a high court verdict to proceed with the criminal prosecution of a doctor couple in an incident which involved telephonic consultation.
IMA’s secretary general stated that telephonic consultations will lead to medical negligence as it violates the principle of the common practice of treating a patient which involves: history taking, physical examination, assessment of laboratory investigations leading to final diagnosis and treatment. Judicious use of telemedication in certain circumstances can be justified. Apart from managing medical emergencies, adjustment of insulin levels in regular patients, or analgesics for chronic pain,…
