Telemedicine Terms and Conditions

Introduction

Telemedicine involves the use of electronic communications to enable the patient and healthcare providers at different locations to share the patient’s medical information for the purpose of remote consultation and patient care. The information may be used for diagnosis, therapy, follow-up, opinion and education, and may include any of the following:

Patient medical records and images
Live two-way audio and/or video
Output data from medical devices and sound and video files
Electronic systems will incorporate network and software security protocols to protect the confidentiality of patient identification and imaging data and will include measures to safeguard the data and to ensure its integrity against corruption.

Expected Benefits:

Improved access to medical care by enabling a patient and/or caregiver to remain in his home/office while the physician obtains results and consults from health practitioners at distant sites.
Obtaining expertise of a distant specialist e.g. second opinion.

Possible Risks:

There are potential risks associated with the use of telemedicine. These risks include, but are not be limited to:

In rare cases, information transmitted may not be sufficient (e.g. poor resolution of images transmitted, lack of a physical examination of the consulting patient which may be required in certain conditions/situations) to allow for appropriate medical evaluation and diagnosis by the physician.
Delays in medical evaluation and treatment could occur due to deficiencies or failures of the equipment, network or difference in time-zones.
In very rare instances, security protocols could fail, causing a breach of privacy of personal medical information.
In rare cases, a lack of access to complete medical records may result in adverse drug interactions or allergic reactions or other judgement errors.

By submitting this form, I understand the following:

The consulting specialist will be at a different location from me and may not be licensed or accredited in the countries outside of Singapore.
I may be required to transmit or share electronically details of my medical history, examinations, x-rays, photographs or other images with the provider who is at a different location.
I understand that telemedicine may involve electronic communication of my personal medical information to other medical practitioners who may be located in other locations.
I understand that the laws that protect privacy and the confidentiality of medical information in Singapore also applies to telemedicine, and that no information obtained in the use of telemedicine which identifies me will be disclosed to other entities without my consent. However, there are both mandatory and permissive exceptions to confidentiality, including, but not limited to, for examples, reporting of illegal drug use (in Singapore) to the relevant authorities, notification of certain infectious disease (in Singapore) to the relevant authorities.
I understand that I have the right to withdraw my consent to use of telemedicine in the course of my care at any time, without affecting my right to future care or treatment.
A record of the consultation (video and or audio) may be kept in my medical record, securely.
I understand there are potential risks to this technology, including interruptions, unauthorized access and technical difficulties.
I understand that I may expect the anticipated benefits from the use of telemedicine in my care, but that no results can be guaranteed or assured.