TELEMEDICINE: CROSS-BORDER REGULATORY CHALLENGES IN VIRTUAL HEALTH CARE

Telemedicine, the use of telecommunications technology to deliver health care services, has transformed the global health care landscape by enabling remote consultations, diagnostics, and treatment planning. The COVID-19 pandemic accelerated the adoption of virtual healthcare, facilitating cross-border medical consultations and providing specialized care beyond geographic limitations. However, this expansion has also highlighted significant legal and jurisdictional challenges, as fragmented national regulations complicate the provision of Cross-Border Telemedicine (CBT). Conflicting data protection laws, licensure requirements, liability concerns, and enforcement mechanisms raise critical questions regarding patient safety, provider accountability, and regulatory harmonization.This study examined the jurisdictional challenges that hinder the effective regulation of cross-border telemedicine, focusing on identifying legal conflicts and proposing solutions for fostering international cooperation. It mapped the current regulatory landscape across key jurisdictions and explored potential frameworks for harmonizing international standards by addressing these challenges, this study aimed to contribute to the development of robust and inclusive regulatory models that promote equitable access to virtual health care while ensuring patient rights and provider accountability.As telemedicine continues to revolutionize global health care delivery, addressing jurisdictional challenges is critical to fostering international collaboration and ensuring the sustainable integration of virtual health care into mainstream medical practice.