Tele-medicine Practice Guidelines -Amendment in Homoeopathic Practitioners (Professional Conduct, Etiquette and Code of Ethics) Regulation 1982.The Board of Governors, CCH has adopted the “Telemedicine Practice Guidelines”for homoeopathic practitioners. These guidelines has been prepared to combat the current need in the wake ofCOVID19 outbreak but theoverarching principles would remain common to all future reference.
2.To provide statutory basis to the “Tele-medicine Practice Guidelines”, the same is required to be included as an amendment to the Homoeopathic Practitioners (Professional Conduct, Etiquette and Code of Ethics) Regulation 1982, by adding Regulation 29Atitled as “Consultation by Tele-medicine” in the said Regulations. The “Tele-medicine Practice Guidelines” will be included as “Appendix 3” to the Homoeopathic Practitioners (Professional Conduct, Etiquette and Code of Ethics) Regulation 1982, as these Regulations has two Appendices already included.
3. The draft notification of the proposed amendment in the Homoeopathic Practitioners (Professional Conduct, Etiquette and Code of Ethics) Regulation 1982, along with the BoG,CCH approved “Tele-medicine Practice Guidelines” was placed for the approval of Central Government in the Ministry of AYUSH. The competent authority in the Ministry of AYUSH, Government of India has accorded approval for issuance of guidelines.
4. In view of the urgency, for providing statutory basis to the “Tele-medicine Practice Guidelines”,it is being placed on the website of the Central Council of Homoeopathy for information and usage by the Registered Homoeopathic Practitioners under the HCC Act, 1973, the patients and other healthcare professionals.
Homoeopathy being a wholistic system of medicine has been benefiting people for their health problems. Tele-medicine can help to increase the availability of homoeopathy to the level where health care is difficult to reach. Telemedicine can play a particularly important role in cases where there is no need for the patient to physically see the RHP (or other medical professional), e.g. for regular, routine check-ups or continuous monitoring. Homoeopathy Tele-medicine / Tele-consultation will enhance primary health care immensely.
India's digital health policy advocates use of digital tools for improving the efficiency and outcome of Healthcare system and lays significant focus on the use of telemedicine services especially in the Health and Wellness centres at the grass root level wherein a mid-level health care provider / health worker can connect the patient to the doctor through Technology platforms for providing timely and best possible care.
In spite of this policy till now there is no legislation or guidelines for Homoeopathic practitioners on the practice of tele-medicine through video, phone and internet based platforms (webchat, apps etc). Lack of clear guidelines has created significant ambiguity for registered medical professionals of the Homoeopathic systems raising doubts on the practice of tele-medicine. The 2018 judgment of the Honourable High Court of Bombay has created uncertainty about the place and legitimacy of tele-medicine as an appropriate Framework does not exist.
In India the practice of Homoeopathic medicine is mainly governed by concerned State Acts along with The Homoeopathy Central Council Act 1973, the Homoeopathic Practitioners (Professional Conduct, Etiquette and Code of Ethics) Regulation 1982; Drugs & Cosmetics Act 1940 & rules 1945; and Clinical Establishment (Registration and Regulation)Act,2010.Information technology is governed by IT Act 2000, and the information technology (reasonable security practices and procedure and sensitive personal data or information) rules 2011. Gaps in legislation and the uncertainty of rules force a risk for both the doctors and their patients.
It is the need of the hour to bridge the gaps in legislation and the uncertainty of rules. These guidelines will serve as a step forward to be treated as professional norms that need to be followed by RHPs to enable them to regulate the practice of telemedicine.
PURPOSE
The purpose of these guidelines is to enable Homoeopathic practitioners to use tele-medicine tools. This will be done by providing information as well as training which will be updated from time to time in the coming years.Tele-medicine will continue to grow and be adopted by more health care practitioners and patients in a wide variety of forms.
These guidelines will give practical advice to registered homoeopathic practitioners regarding tele-medicine to encourage them to consider the use of tele-medicine as a part of their normal practice as well as in disasters and pandemics which pose unique challenges to provide Healthcare.
Practice of Tele-medicine can prevent transmission of infectious diseases reducing the risk to both doctors and patients by avoiding social contact. These guidelines will provide norms and protocols relating to doctor patient relationship issues of liability and negligence, evaluation, management and treatment, informed consent, continuity of care,referral for emergency services, medical records, privacy and security of patient records and exchange of information, describing and reimbursement, health education and counseling.
Tele-medicine will not only encourage social distancing in special situations of epidemics and pandemics but talking to doctors will also allay their anxiety in the situation of complete lock-down.
ADVANTAGE OF TELEMEDICINE
Tele-medicine provides patient’s safety as well as doctor’s & health worker’s safety, especially in situations where there is a risk of contagious infections. A tele-medicine visit can be conducted without exposing staff to viruses/infections at the time of such outbreaks.
Tele-medicine provides rapid access to medical practitioners who may not be available inperson.
Tele-medicine will not only encourage social distancing in special situations of epidemics and pandemics but talking to doctors will also allay their anxiety in the situation of complete lockdown.
With tele-medicine there is higher likelihood of maintenance of records and documentation. Written documentation increases legal protection of doctors as well as patients.
Tele-medicine, when effectively used, reduces the burden on secondary health care system.
Tele-medicine is useful for regular routine checkup on continuous monitoring and minimizes gaps in timely follow ups.
IMPORTANT:
It is to be noted that unlike other technologies, the technology used for telemedicine has some risks, drawbacks & limitations, which can be mitigated through appropriate training, enforcement of standards, protocols & Guidelines from time to time. These guidelines should be used in conjunction with the other national clinical standards, protocols, policies and procedures.
Full Guideline Doucument-Here
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