Telehealth Informed Consent

What is Telehealth?

Telehealth involves the use of electronic communications to enable healthcare providers at different locations to share individual patient medical information for the purpose of improving patient care. This includes the use of secure video conferencing, audio calls, and electronic messaging to provide medical consultations and manage your health care.

Benefits of Telehealth

• Increased access to healthcare services regardless of your location
• Reduced travel time and associated costs
• Convenience of receiving care from your home or other private location
• Timely access to medical consultations
• Ability to involve family members or caregivers more easily
• Continuity of care when in-person visits are not possible

Potential Risks

As with any medical service, there are potential risks associated with telehealth:

• Technical difficulties: Poor internet connection or equipment failures may interrupt or prevent the telehealth session
• Limitations of examination: The provider cannot perform a physical examination and must rely on your self-reported symptoms and video observation
• Security risks: Despite security measures, electronic communications could potentially be intercepted
• Diagnostic limitations: In some cases, the provider may determine that telehealth is not appropriate and an in-person visit is needed

Your Rights

By participating in telehealth services, you have the following rights:

• Right to Withdraw: You may withdraw your consent to telehealth services at any time without affecting your right to future care or treatment
• Right to Privacy: Your telehealth sessions are protected by the same confidentiality and privacy protections as in-person visits
• Right to Information: You may ask questions about the telehealth process and your treatment at any time
• Right to Request In-Person Care: You may request an in-person visit instead of or in addition to telehealth services

Your Responsibilities

To ensure effective telehealth services, you agree to:

• Provide accurate and complete health information
• Ensure you are in a private, quiet location during telehealth sessions
• Test your equipment before scheduled appointments
• Follow the treatment plan and instructions provided by your healthcare provider
• Contact your provider or seek emergency care if your condition worsens
• Understand that telehealth is not intended for emergencies — call 911 for emergencies

Privacy and Security

We use industry-standard encryption and security measures to protect your telehealth sessions. However, no internet-based communication is completely secure. By consenting to telehealth services, you acknowledge and accept the inherent risks of electronic communication.

Your telehealth sessions may be recorded for quality assurance and medical record purposes. You will be notified if a session is being recorded and have the right to decline recording.

Emergency Situations

Consent Acknowledgment

By using VitalPath's telehealth services, you confirm that:

• You have read and understand this Telehealth Informed Consent
• You have had the opportunity to ask questions about telehealth
• You understand the benefits and risks of telehealth services
• You voluntarily consent to participate in telehealth services
• You understand you may withdraw consent at any time
• You understand that telehealth is not appropriate for emergency situations

Contact Us

If you have questions about telehealth services, please contact us: