|
|
To print: Select File and then Print from your browser's menu
-------------------------------------------------------------- This story was printed from ZDNet Australia. --------------------------------------------------------------
|
Online medicine a legal nightmare? By Rachel Lebihan, ZDNet Australia News November 22, 2000 URL: http://www.zdnet.com.au/news/communications/soa/Online-medicine-a-legal-nightmare-/0,130061791,120107153,00.htm
The proliferation of patients seeking medical advice over the Internet and a number of after-hour call centres springing up in Australia calls into question a doctor's indemnity and may legally be putting the medical profession's neck in a noose, according to the Australian Medical Association. "Doctors must be extremely wary of not taking [patient] problems lightly," Dr David Rivett, Chair of AMA Counsel of General Practice, told ZDNet. "The legal responsibility is huge if you get [diagnosis] wrong," Rivett added, doctors could literally be "putting their necks in a noose". Adrian McCullagh of Gadens Lawyers agrees that this area is "fraught with a lot of danger". "Medical indemnity insurance won't cover them," McCullagh said of doctors who advice without seeing a patient. Furthermore, under the Pharmaceutical Benefits Act consultation fees are paid if a doctor sees a patient "but not otherwise," Rivett said. The issue also calls into question how doctors, who can only give advice within the jurisdiction in which they're registered, verify that a patient is resident in that jurisdiction. Then there's the aspect of patient authentication and correct identification of ailments. Although the Internet can be a great source of information, it can't replace face-to-face consultation with the patient when a doctor can assess a patient's nuances and body language and freely ask questions, according to Rivett. "Even the telephone is a poor second best," he added. Whilst it might sound as if a patient is dying on the phone they might be in not too bad a nick, according to Rivett. Several call centres are currently being trialed in Western Australia and the AMA WA has formed a joint committee with the federal branch of the AMA to discuss all such issues of concern. The committee, set up about six weeks ago, is expected to finalise a report in February. Our view [of medical call centres] is that if people have symptoms they should go and see a doctor," a AMA WA spokesperson said. "We're living in a society that apportions blame," he said. "All doctors are more aware now of the potential of litigation."
Copyright © 2009 CBS Interactive, a CBS Company. All Rights Reserved. |
