LEGAL ASPECTS OF TELEMEDICINE PRACTICE AND ITS IMPLICATIONS FOR HEALTH SERVICES IN THE DIGITAL AGE

Telemedicine, as the practice of healthcare delivered through digital communication technology, has gained significant momentum in the digital era. The utilisation of telemedicine opens up a lot of potential in improving access to healthcare, especially in isolated communities and areas that lack medical professionals. However, the development and implementation of telemedicine also pose various challenges, particularly in terms of legal and regulatory aspects. Legal aspects in the practice of telemedicine include the need to ensure the protection of patient privacy and data, standardisation of clinical practice, as well as arrangements regarding licensing and legal liability of practitioners. Clear and adaptive regulations to technological developments are needed to support the ethical and responsible implementation of telemedicine. The implications of these legal aspects for healthcare in the digital era include improved quality and accessibility of services, as well as the need for continuous revision and adaptation of regulations to accommodate rapid technological innovation. This paper explores the need to build a robust legal framework for telemedicine, and examines how laws and regulations influence and drive the development of digital healthcare.