Biomaterial Database

Medical-legal issues in teleradiology. 1996

S B Berger, and B B Cepelewicz

Department of Diagnostic Imaging, Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, CT 06504, USA.

With the advent of high-speed, high-resolution digital imaging and network transmission, teleradiology promises to dramatically change the mechanism for interpreting radiologic images and the traditional relationships between radiologists and patients and referring physicians. We discuss the current status of medical-legal issues pertaining to privacy, licensing, credentialing, liability, and fraud for teleradiology. Special emphasis is placed on the technical factors that may result in differences in image properties, consequently affect radiologic diagnosis, and bring the potential for liability.

UI	MeSH Term	Description	Entries
D008007	Licensure, Medical	The granting of a license to practice medicine.	Medical Licensure
D008318	Malpractice	Failure of a professional person, a physician or lawyer, to render proper services through reprehensible ignorance or negligence or through criminal intent, especially when injury or loss follows. (Random House Unabridged Dictionary, 2d ed)	Professional Negligence,Negligence,Negligence, Professional,Professional Negligences
D003219	Confidentiality	The privacy of information and its protection against unauthorized disclosure.	Patient Data Privacy,Privacy of Patient Data,Privileged Communication,Confidential Information,Secrecy,Communication, Privileged,Communications, Privileged,Data Privacy, Patient,Information, Confidential,Privacy, Patient Data,Privileged Communications
D003406	Credentialing	The recognition of professional or technical competence through registration, certification, licensure, admission to association membership, the award of a diploma or degree, etc.
D003951	Diagnostic Errors	Incorrect or incomplete diagnoses following clinical or technical diagnostic procedures.	Diagnostic Blind Spots,Errors, Diagnostic,Misdiagnosis,Blind Spot, Diagnostic,Blind Spots, Diagnostic,Diagnostic Blind Spot,Diagnostic Error,Error, Diagnostic,Misdiagnoses
D005607	Fraud	Exploitation through misrepresentation of the facts or concealment of the purposes of the exploiter.	Fraud, Health Care,Health Care Fraud,Kickbacks,Drug Counterfeiting,Healthcare Fraud,Counterfeiting, Drug,Fraud, Healthcare,Health Care Frauds,Kickback
D006801	Humans	Members of the species Homo sapiens.	Homo sapiens,Man (Taxonomy),Human,Man, Modern,Modern Man
D014481	United States	A country in NORTH AMERICA between CANADA and MEXICO.
D019112	Teleradiology	The electronic transmission of radiological images from one location to another for the purposes of interpretation and/or consultation. Users in different locations may simultaneously view images with greater access to secondary consultations and improved continuing education. (From American College of Radiology, ACR Standard for Teleradiology, 1994, p3)