Telehealth and Legal Implications for Nurse Practitioners

Telehealth, which uses electronic information and telecommunications technologies to support long-distance clinical healthcare, is a growing trend that offers improved patient access, cost savings, and more engaged patients with better outcomes. For nurse practitioners who deal with patients in a variety of settings, telehealth can help improve healthcare delivery to underserved populations. However, there are challenges including wide variations in the rules, regulations, and practice guidelines surrounding telehealth. Nurse practitioners should implement practical advice and tips for utilizing telehealth, as well as risk management strategies to ensure better patient care and avoid malpractice litigation or licensing issues.