Medical technology

PATIENT MAY HAVE ACCESS TO MEDICAL RECORDS

PATIENT CAN INPUT PERSONAL MEDICAL DATA, I.E., BLOOD SUGARS, BLOOD PRESSURE, ETC.

• RAMPANT, CONTINUOUS, AND GROWING USE OF TELEHEALTH

• SHORTCOMINGS OF TELEHEALTH
• PRIVACY OF PATIENT INFORMATION IS QUESTIONED
• HIGH COST OF TECHNOLOGY
• DUE TO IMMENSE AMOUNT OF INFORMATION - CREDITABILITY OF SOURCES IS QUESTIONABLE

• POTENTIAL ABUSE

• SINCE THE USE OF THE INTERNET FOR ACCESSING HEALTH INFORMATION IS NEW, THERE EXISTS LITTLE IN THE WAY OF SAFEGUARDS FOR CONSUMERS.

• CONSUMERS SHOULD MAKE SURE THAT WEB SITES USED TO OBTAIN INFORMATION ABOUT HEALTH AND MEDICINE ARE PROVIDED BY A RELIABLE AND CREDIBLE SOURCE.

• IN SOME CASES COMMERCIAL INTERESTS SUCH AS A DRUG MANUFACTURER MAY SPONSOR OR CONTRIBUTE INFORMATION TO THE WEB SITE. CONSUMERS SHOULD LOOK FOR ASSURANCES THAT THE INFORMATION PROVIDED IN THESE CASES IS OBJECTIVE AND DOES NOT FAVOR THE SPONSOR’S PRODUCTS.

• AT THIS TIME CONSUMERS SHOULD EXERCISE CAUTION IN USING WEB SITES THAT OFFER ONLINE DIAGNOSIS AND PRESCRIBE TREATMENT AND MEDICATION FOR THE DIAGNOSED CONDITION. THERE ARE CURRENTLY NO RECOGNIZED AUTHORITIES OVERSEEING THE OPERATION OF THESE SITES.

• CONSUMERS ARE CAUTIONED AGAIN OBTAINING PRESCRIBED MEDICINES FROM WEB SITES THAT OFFER BOTH DIAGNOSIS OF CONDITION AND DIRECT SALES OF THE PRESCRIBED MEDICINE.

• CONSUMERS SEEKING MEDICAL TREATMENT FROM HEALTH PROFESSIONALS OVER THE INTERNET SHOULD RECEIVE CLEAR ASSURANCES THAT THEY WILL BE INTERACTING WITH A QUALIFIED PROFESSIONAL HOLDING THE APPROPRIATE CREDENTIALS AND THAT THE PROFESSIONAL IS ABLE TO LEGALLY PRACTICE MEDICINE IN THE CONSUMERS LOCATION.

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