Not all telehealth communications meet ethical standards; practitioners should do what?

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Verifying compliance and ensuring methods meet ethical standards before use is essential. Telehealth brings privacy, security, and jurisdictional considerations that can vary, so a clinician must confirm that the chosen methods are secure and legally appropriate. This includes checking that the platform protects confidentiality (encryption, secure data storage, and proper access controls), that informed consent specific to telehealth is obtained, and that licensure and scope of practice cover the patient’s location. Only after these checks are in place should telehealth be used, with ongoing attention to any changes in laws or platform security. By doing this, you protect patient confidentiality, meet professional obligations, and reduce risk of noncompliance.

Assuming all methods are compliant is unsafe, ignoring laws is unethical, and relying on personal preferences does not address professional standards.