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Introduction:

AnywhereMD E-Consult is a communication platform owned and operated by the CVM Clinics and Surgicenter for the purpose of providing a virtual space for doctor-patient consultation or otherwise known as Teleconsultation, Online Consultation or Telemedicine. Teleconsultation under AnywhereMD E-Consult complies and follows the protocols and guidelines set forth in the Data Privacy Act (RA 10173) and its Implementing Rules and Regulations and the Health Privacy Code of Joint Administrative Order No. 2016-0002 otherwise known as “Privacy Guidelines for the Implementation of the Philippine Health Information Exchange” of the Department of Health (DOH), Department of Science and Technology (DOST) and Philippine Health Insurance Corporation (PhilHealth), as well as the ethical standards of medical practice in the Philippines.

Teleconsultation involves using electronic devices and channels for communicating to people remotely though the use of Information and Communication Technology (ICT). This allows physicians and health care providers to collect and share information that improve patient care, and communicate and interact with their patients and provide consultation remotely. Teleconsultation enables health care providers at different locations to share individual patient medical information for the purpose of improving patient care.

In this case the teleconsultation will be done by a licensed physician. Providers may include primary care practitioners, specialists, and/or subspecialists. The information may be used for diagnosis, therapy, follow-up and/or education, and may include any or all of the following:

  1. Patient medical records;
  2. Medical images;
  3. Live two-way audio and video;
  4. Output data from medical devices and sound and video files;

ICT used by AnywhereMD E-Consult will incorporate due diligence and best practice network and software security protocols to protect the confidentiality of patient identification and imaging data and will include measures to safeguard the data and to ensure its integrity against intentional or unintentional corruption, in compliance with patient confidentiality and safety, data privacy and ethical standards of medical practice in the Philippines.

The information collected may be used for diagnosis, therapy, or follow-up, and may include collection of medical information into a record and medical images. Electronic systems used will incorporate certain protocols to protect the confidentiality of the doctor, and most importantly, of the patient. Please know that in line with the privacy policy of AnywhereMD E-Consult, ANY FORM OF RECORDING IS PROHIBITED, except with the prior express written consent of you as the patient, your physician as well as AnywhereMD E-Consult. Reasonable and appropriate efforts have been made to eliminate any confidentiality risks associated with the telemedicine consultation.

All existing laws regarding your access to medical information and copies of your medical records apply to this teleconsultation.

Additionally, dissemination of any patient-identifiable images or information from this telemedicine interaction to researchers or other entities shall not occur without your consent, unless authorized under existing Philippine privacy and confidentiality laws.

Expected Benefits

The benefits to this system are improved access to medical care by enabling a patient to remain in his/her house or in a remote area to do the consultation while allowing a physician to collect information and make a diagnosis. Patients may now also remotely access and obtain the expertise of a distant specialist which the patient would not normally be able to accessible through E-Consult.

Possible Risks

As with any medical process, there are several potential risks involved in this procedure. Some of these risks are outlined in the Terms and Conditions and Privacy Policy of AnywhereMD E-Consult. However, we would like to call your attention to these risks associated with the use of telemedicine or online consultation. These risks include, but are not limited to:

  1. Information transmitted or collected may not be enough to allow appropriate medical decision making by the physician in some rare instances, as there is no physical contact in order to do the usual examination of the patient;
  2. Delays in medical evaluation and treatment may occur due to the limitations of teleconsultation related to access to healthcare facilities, diagnostic centers and other essential equipment;
  3. In very rare instances, security protocols could fail, causing a breach of privacy of the patient’s medical information;
  4. A lack of access to the patient’s complete medical records may result in adverse drug interactions or allergic reactions or other errors in judgement in some rare cases;
  5. The counsel, advise, assessment, recommendation, and opinions rendered by Physicians in AnywhereMD E-Consult must be understood as for general information only and not as a replacement for physical consultation. They should not be considered as replacement of actual diagnosis and physical examination by your personal physician. Any counsel, advise, or assessment made by the doctors or medical practitioners using the Site shall not be a substitute for your physician’s assessment, counsel, advise, or care.
  6. AnywhereMD E-Consult and teleconsultation and is not a substitute for clinics, hospitals, and other medical centers.
  7. AnywhereMD E-Consult or Teleconsultation does not provide emergency services to any of its users or is meant to replace, or even supplement emergency medical services.
  8. Delays in communication, assessment and advice could occur due to failure of the electronic systems;
  9. In some instances, your failure to provide accurate and/or complete medical records to the Physician may result in adverse drug reactions or allergic reactions or other judgment errors;
  10. You may expect the anticipated benefits from the use of the medical information or healthcare services provided by the Physicians, but that no results can be guaranteed or assured;
  11. A Physician, in his or her sole discretion and professional judgment may determine that his/her medical information or healthcare services are not appropriate for some or all of your treatment needs and, accordingly, may elect not to provide his/her medical information or healthcare services to you through E-Consult;
  12. Temporary interruptions in service that are not within the control of the Physician or AnywhereMD may occur in connection with the use of E-Consult or teleconsultation and telemedicine in general.

By signing this consent form, you state and understand the following:

  1. You understand that you must be of legal age and within the territorial jurisdiction of the Philippines at the time of teleconsultation.
  2. You understand that the physician who will be performing teleconsultation is licensed to practice medicine only within the territorial jurisdiction of the Philippines.
  3. You understand that the laws that protect privacy and the confidentiality of medical information also apply to telemedicine, and that no information obtained in the use of telemedicine which identifies me will be disclosed to anyone, including people in the medical field without my consent.
  4. You understand that you have the right to withhold or withdraw your consent to the use of telemedicine during the course of my care at any point in time, without affecting my right to future care or treatment.
  5. You understand that you have the right to examine all the information obtained and recorded in the course of the telemedicine interaction and may request and receive copies of this information for a reasonable fee.
  6. You understand that a variety of alternative therapy may be available to you, and that you may choose one or more of these at any time. Your physician has explained the alternatives to your satisfaction.
  7. You understand the attendant risks outlined in this consent which you fully understand and agree as risks that you have to take in order to receive teleconsultation service.
  8. You understand that telemedicine involves the use of electronic communication of your personal medical information, and is in rare cases, prone to failure in security protocol.
  9. You understand that any form of recording including, but not limited to, taking screenshots and pictures, and recording audio or video is strictly prohibited, except with the prior written consent of yourself, the physician and AnywhereMD E-Consult.
  10. You understand that it is your duty to inform your physician about any other electronic interactions regarding your care that you may have with other medical practitioners.
  11. You understand that any prescription given in the teleconsultation will be used only for this particular consultation and is only valid and effective in the territorial jurisdiction of the Philippines.
  12. You understand that you may expect the aforementioned benefits from the use of telemedicine in my care, but as this is not the optimal means to having a consultation, no results can be guaranteed or assured.
  13. You understand that a consultation fee of PhP XX may be imposed by the physician and a transaction fee of PhP 50 may be imposed by AnywhereMD E-Consult for the use of the facility.
  14. You understand and agree to the Terms and Conditions and Privacy Policy and any other published policies within the website of AnywhereMD.

Patient Consent to the use of Telemedicine

I have read and understood the information provided above regarding the use of telemedicine, I am willing to undergo this innovative means to improve my care. I am prepared to ask questions and raise concerns regarding the diagnosis and treatment to be given to me by my physician. I hereby give my informed consent for the use of telemedicine and teleconsultation through AnywhereMD E-Consult, with full agreement to its Terms and Conditions and Privacy Policy, in my medical care.