Ethics in Telemedicine: Challenges and Solutions

Awafung Emmanuel

Electronics and Biomedical Engineering, Kampala International University Uganda

Email: awafungadie@gmail.com

ABSTRACT

Telemedicine has revolutionized healthcare delivery by bridging the gap between patients and providers, especially in remote or underserved areas. As it rapidly expands through innovations like teleradiology, telerehabilitation, and teledermatology, it brings with it complex ethical, legal, and technological challenges. Concerns about patient data confidentiality, jurisdictional licensing, equitable access, and culturally competent care have exposed gaps in current health governance structures. This paper explores the evolution and definitions of telemedicine, its ethical dilemmas, particularly those concerning data protection, malpractice liability, and consent, and the cultural and technological hurdles that impact service delivery. It also presents practical solutions such as ethical-by-design technologies, regulatory reforms, and stakeholder education. A multidisciplinary and patient-centered approach is essential to ensure that telemedicine not only enhances accessibility but also protects the rights, privacy, and dignity of all users.

Keywords: Telemedicine, Telehealth, Medical Ethics, Data Confidentiality, Legal Frameworks, Cultural Competence, Patient-Provider Relationship, Health Technology.

CITE AS: Awafung Emmanuel (2025). Ethics in Telemedicine: Challenges and Solutions. NEWPORT INTERNATIONAL   JOURNAL OF SCIENTIFIC AND   EXPERIMENTAL SCIENCES 6(3):36-42 https://doi.org/10.59298/NIJSES/2025/63.3642