Challenges To Doctor-patient Relationship In Digital Health

Abstract

Digital health has enhanced the concept of access to healthcare by breaking geographical limitations. Digital health is the delivery of health services via electronic means. The outbreak of the covid-19 pandemic has resulted in widened use of digital health services due to the inability to approach the medical professionals due to COVID-19 restrictions. Digital health is a concept that is undoubtedly associated with the ethical and legal challenges in the doctor-patient relationship. The doctor-patient relationship is of utmost importance and integral to medical ethical principles. Since Hippocrates' time, an ideal doctor-patient relationship encompasses philosophical, sociological, and literary attention. It demands respect, compassion and trust among each other. The contemporary concept of digital health is patient- centric based on their demands and well-being. The legal and ethical challenges in digital health are overlapping and inseparable. It includes medical negligence, privacy and confidentiality, autonomy and informed consent, challenges in cross border services, prescription and delivery of drugs, mental health services, and end of life decision making. This paper deals with identifying the concept of digital health, the ideal doctor-patient relationship and the applicability of medical ethical principles to the contemporary notions of digital health. It also looks into existing legal positions and case laws to identify the lacuna in this area and gives suggestions and recommendations.