How Is Cybermedicine Regulated

Introduction

With the expansion of telecommunications technology, innovative models of health care delivery have evolved. Where patients once needed to visit a physician in person to receive medical treatment, now they can utilize telephonic, video, and computer technology to interact with medical practitioners in new and unique ways. The model of health care offerings via the Internet, Generally known as "cyber medicine," may prove to be a significant advance in the provision of medical services (Wallace, et al. 8 - 9). At present, however, presents many potential hazards cyber medicine to "cyber patients." Those seeking medical advice on the Internet may fall victim to bad medical advice proffered by non-physicians, unlicensed physicians, or other assorted quacks operating in cyberspace. In addition, due to its sudden and tremendous growth, cyber medicine has become big business, creating a tension between delivering for health care providers proper medical care and making a healthy profit (Terry, 327 - 66).

Soraya Bittencourt is burdened by two health problems: Grave's disease, a dangerous thyroid condition, and diabetes. Despite these infirmities, she maintains a rigorous work schedule as an executive for a computer software company. One would think that Soraya would be unable to keep her weekly doctor's appointment, given her time-intensive work commitment. In reality, however, she has no problem in making time to "meet" with her physician. Rather than drive to the doctor's office, she logs onto the Internet and consults with her doctor in cyberspace. Thanks to the Internet, Soraya can send the results from her daily blood tests and elicit comments from her doctor-all in a matter of seconds (Biegel, 128 - 132). In using Internet technology for personal health purposes, Soraya is participating in cyber medicine and taking part in the "quiet revolution" currently under way in the world of medicine.

Many of the dangers posed by cyber medicine are exacerbated by the fact that it is virtually unregulated at present. On occasion, several states have apprehended persons practicing medicine over the Internet without a valid medical license. Sporadic enforcement of state licensing laws, however, does little to stem the potential abuses and rampant commercialism of cyber medicine (Hodge, 1471).

This Note asserts the need for a revival by states of the corporate practice of medicine prohibition to address the dangers posed by cyber medicine. The corporate practice of medicine doctrine prohibit corporations and other entities from employing physicians lay. The doctrine is Aimed at preserving physicians' professional autonomy in the provision of quality health care.

Cyber Medicine: Origin & Description

The plethora of medically-related websites currently available on the Internet illustrate the breadth and variety of cyber medicine. CyberDocs is representative of websites that offer patients the opportunity to consumer-initiate "live" consultations with physicians on the Internet. The two co-founders of the website, Dr. Steven Kohler and Dr. Kerry Archer, advertise the service as a "virtual house call." Upon connecting to CyberDocs, patients input their medical history, reason for consulting the doctor and credit card number. After the patient completes these preliminary matters, the "cyber ...