Telemedicine cannot be used for conduct surgical or invasive procedure: MCI tells doctors

New Delhi: Telemedicine cannot be used for conduct surgical or invasive procedure remotely, the Medical Council of India in its recent notification has clearly stated.

The dictum comes as a part of the Gazette notification by the apex medical regulator, formally amending the "Indian Medical Council (Professional Conduct, Etiquette and Ethics) Regulations, 2002 in order to incorporate the practice of telemedicine by registered medical practitioners as well as the corresponding Telemedicine guidelines

Medical Dialogues had earlier reported that with the rising cases of coronavirus in India, the MCI with the approval of the central government had urgently permitted the practise of telemedicine by its registered doctors also providing comprehensive guidelines for the same.

Read also: MCI allows Telephonic, online consutlations, releases Telemedicine practice guidelines for doctors

Now, giving formal shape to the policy move, the MCI gazette announced the amendment of the "Indian Medical Council (Professional Conduct, Etiquette and Ethics) Regulations, 2002 for the incorporation of the same. 

The new regulations have been termed Indian Medical Council (Professional Conduct, Etiquette and Ethics) (Amendment) Regulations, 2020, with the council noting that these regulations shall be deemed to have been effective from 25th March 2020 which is the date on which the Central Government has accorded approval to these Regulations.

In the regulations, the council has clearly specified telemedicine Practice Guidelines are not applicable to the use of digital technology to conduct surgical or invasive procedure remotely

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As per the gazette,  In the "Indian Medical Council (Professional Conduct, Etiquette and Ethics) Regulations, 2002", the following addition shall be made in the section 3:-

3.8 Consultation by Telemedicine

3.8.1 Consultation through Telemedicine by the Registered Medical Practitioner under the Indian Medical Council Act, 1956 shall be permissible in accordance with the Telemedicine Practice Guidelines contained in Appendix 5.

3.8.2 Telemedicine Practice Guidelines are designed to serve as an aid and tool to enable Registered Medical Practitioners to effectively leverage telemedicine to enhance health services and access to all in India.

3.8.3 Telemedicine Practice Guidelines are not applicable to the use of digital technology to conduct surgical or invasive procedure remotely.

3.8.4 Any of the drugs lists contained in Telemedicine Practice Guidelines can be modified by the Board of Governors in super-session of the Medical Council of India/Medical Council of India from time to time, as required.

3.8.5 The Board of Governors in super-session of the Medical Council of India may issue necessary directions or advisories or clarifications in regard to these Guidelines, as required.

3.8.6 The Telemedicine Practice Guidelines can be amended from time to time in larger public interest with the prior approval of Central Government [Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, Government of India]

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Attached is the gazette and the guidelines below