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Publication Date

3-2017

Document Type

Comment

Abstract

Georgia currently ranks 44th in the nation in terms of patient access to physicians. Roughly 52% of Georgia's physicians are located in five areas that serve just 38% of the state's population. However, technological advancements present opportunities to bridge the gap between physicians willing to treat patients through non-traditional means and patients simply wanting access to physicians. Telemedicine, sometimes referred to as telehealth, is generally known as the use of audio, video, and other types of data communication to exchange medical information from one site to another to connect healthcare professionals with patients. While telemedicine can extend patient access to health care across state lines, particularly to patients in rural areas where medical care is often sparse, many states, including Georgia, currently maintain restrictive regulations and standards on telemedicine that inhibit its growth. ...

Based on the unique nature of telemedicine, this Comment addresses the need for Georgia to adopt the FSMB Compact, loosen the rigid requirements for the establishment of a physician-patient relationship prior to a telemedicine encounter, and for Georgia to adopt a separate national standard of care for telemedicine. First, the background section provides an overview of telemedicine, Georgia's current laws and regulations governing the use of telemedicine, and problems presented by these laws and regulations. Next, these problems are assessed in the analysis section, followed by a conclusion that Georgia should adopt the Compact, loosen the rigid burden for establishing the physician-patient relationship prior to a telemedicine encounter, and adopt a separate national standard of care for services provided through telemedicine.

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