Telemedicine Best Practices: Effective and Compliant Patient Care

Over the past five years, telemedicine has expanded access for patients while also introducing new risks and responsibilities for physicians. As virtual visits, chats and remote monitoring become standard, understanding telehealth best practices is critical for ensuring safe — and compliant — care.

This concise guide covers the essentials for reducing risk, including key steps to avoid telemedicine malpractice and maintain quality at every stage of the telemedicine workflow.

Starting the Physician-Patient Relationship in Telemedicine

When it comes to telehealth best practices, establishing a clear physician-patient relationship is foundational. In virtual care, this begins once the physician agrees to diagnose and treat and the patient consents — even without an in-person meeting. It's essential to verify the patient’s identity and location, disclose your credentials and document the interaction. The patient’s location determines legal jurisdiction, so always check relevant state laws. Assigning a provider randomly, or failing to document consent, increases the risk of telemedicine malpractice.

Informed Consent: Setting Expectations Up Front 

Securing and documenting informed consent is a must in telemedicine. Patients should be briefed on both the advantages and possible challenges, such as connectivity issues or privacy risks. Each consent should include the identities and physical locations of all involved, the physician’s qualifications and details about the technology in use. State laws and payers may have specific requirements — some mandate written consent, while others allow verbal. Whichever is accepted, keep thorough records as part of your telemedicine workflow.

Meeting the Standard of Care — Every Time 

A key telemedicine best practice is upholding the same standard of care as face-to-face visits. Providers should perform a thorough evaluation, use appropriate tools (like digital images or diagnostic devices) and refer for in-person care if the virtual format is not sufficient for a safe diagnosis. Avoid relying exclusively on static online questionnaires since they do not meet accepted clinical standards. Failing to gather enough clinical information or poorly documenting the visit can lead to telemedicine malpractice claims.

Ensuring Follow-Up and Emergency Care

Telemedicine care doesn’t end when the call concludes. Telehealth best practices require you to support continuity of care:

• Follow-Up: Make sure patients know how to access subsequent care, whether with you or another provider. Whenever possible, schedule follow-ups at the end of each visit.
• In-Person Referrals: When virtual assessment is inadequate, arrange appropriate in-person care. Avoid vague instructions; clear and specific referrals help prevent lapses in care and liability risk.
• Emergency Planning: Every telemedicine workflow must include a written emergency protocol. Patients should have instructions tailored to their location, including where to seek immediate help if symptoms worsen.

Building an Effective Telemedicine Workflow

For telemedicine to succeed, practices need a solid workflow covering every step — from scheduling and consent to documentation and follow-up. Start by defining which appointments are suitable for telemedicine and outline procedures for obtaining consent, meeting the standard of care and connecting patients to emergency resources if needed. Integrate telehealth best practices into your day-to-day operations and update your protocols regularly as regulations evolve.

Telehealth Training: Preparing Your Team

Telehealth training is vital to minimize risk and enhance patient experience. Physicians must learn not only the technological side but also how to adapt in-person skills — like exam techniques and communication — to the digital space. Training should include:

• Effective use of telemedicine platforms
• Virtual communication strategies, such as maintaining eye contact and confirming patient understanding
• Recognizing when to escalate care to an in-person visit

Staff also play a critical role in the telemedicine workflow — educating patients, confirming eligibility and consent, collecting accurate information and troubleshooting technology issues. After each visit, they help coordinate follow-up and ensure records are shared as needed. 

Ongoing education is essential. As laws and technologies change, regular telehealth training will keep your team current and compliant, reducing the risk of telemedicine malpractice.

Key Takeaways

• Adhering to telehealth best practices reduces risk and improves patient safety.
• Establish solid telemedicine workflows and document every step.
• Prioritize thorough telehealth training for both physicians and staff. 
• Stay updated with state and payer requirements to avoid telemedicine malpractice. 
• Never overlook the fundamentals: clear consent, accurate records and well-planned follow-up.

Telemedicine promises convenience and access but requires consistent best practices for success. By staying vigilant and prioritizing telehealth training at every level, your practice can navigate the digital future of care safely and effectively.

For more information on staying compliant with federal regulations around telemedicine, check out our article, “Telemedicine Best Practices: Compliance and Security.”