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Telemedicine Applications in the Era of COVID-19: Telesurgery Issues

Author

Listed:
  • Paolo Bailo

    (Section of Legal Medicine, School of Law, University of Camerino, 62032 Camerino, Italy)

  • Filippo Gibelli

    (Section of Legal Medicine, School of Law, University of Camerino, 62032 Camerino, Italy)

  • Alberto Blandino

    (Sezione di Medicina Legale e delle Assicurazioni, Dipartimento di Scienze Biomediche per la Salute, Università degli Studi di Milano, Via Luigi Mangiagalli, 37, 20133 Milano, Italy)

  • Andrea Piccinini

    (Sezione di Medicina Legale e delle Assicurazioni, Dipartimento di Scienze Biomediche per la Salute, Università degli Studi di Milano, Via Luigi Mangiagalli, 37, 20133 Milano, Italy)

  • Giovanna Ricci

    (Section of Legal Medicine, School of Law, University of Camerino, 62032 Camerino, Italy)

  • Ascanio Sirignano

    (Section of Legal Medicine, School of Law, University of Camerino, 62032 Camerino, Italy)

  • Riccardo Zoja

    (Sezione di Medicina Legale e delle Assicurazioni, Dipartimento di Scienze Biomediche per la Salute, Università degli Studi di Milano, Via Luigi Mangiagalli, 37, 20133 Milano, Italy)

Abstract

Telemedicine allows for the effective delivery of health care to patients at a distance through the application of information technology to the field of medicine. This is optimal during the COVID-19 pandemic to reduce interpersonal contact to mitigate contagion. Among the possible Telemedicine applications, there is Telesurgery, which involves more and more surgical specialties thanks to the numerous benefits in quality and cost containment. In the growing field of Telesurgery, its technical and legal implications must be considered. In this study, a traditional review of the scientific literature was carried out to identify the most relevant issues of interest in Telesurgery. The problematic legal aspects identified are mainly related to the difference in legislation between different geographical areas, which is critical in the case of malpractice. In addition, there is the possibility of a malicious hacker attack on the transmitted data stream either to steal sensitive data or to harm the patient. Finally, there are inherent difficulties with the technology used, such as latency issues in data transmission. All these critical issues are currently not adequately addressed by current legislation. Therefore, one can only hope for a legislative action to allow Telesurgery to be used safely.

Suggested Citation

  • Paolo Bailo & Filippo Gibelli & Alberto Blandino & Andrea Piccinini & Giovanna Ricci & Ascanio Sirignano & Riccardo Zoja, 2021. "Telemedicine Applications in the Era of COVID-19: Telesurgery Issues," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 19(1), pages 1-10, December.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jijerp:v:19:y:2021:i:1:p:323-:d:713428
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    References listed on IDEAS

    as
    1. Murphy Jr., R.L. & Bird, K.T., 1974. "Telediagnosis: a new community health resource. Observations on the feasibility of telediagnosis based on 1000 patient transactions," American Journal of Public Health, American Public Health Association, vol. 64(2), pages 113-119.
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