After Studying Module 2 Lecture Materials Resources Identify
After Studyingmodule 2 Lecture Materials Resources Identify And Di
After studying Module 2: Lecture Materials & Resources, identify and discuss at least two potential ethical issues that could be of concern for nurses with telehealth-delivered care. Submission instructions specify that the initial post should be at least 500 words, formatted and cited in current APA style with support from at least 2 academic sources. Responses to peers are also encouraged to extend, refute/correct, or add nuance to their posts.
Paper For Above instruction
Telehealth has become an increasingly vital component of healthcare delivery, especially in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic, which accelerated the adoption of remote patient care. As this mode of healthcare delivery expands, it introduces unique ethical challenges that nurses must navigate to ensure quality, equitable, and ethically sound care. Two primary ethical issues that are particularly pertinent in telehealth nursing are patient privacy and confidentiality, and equitable access to care.
The first significant ethical concern revolves around patient privacy and confidentiality. The Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA) establishes the standards for protecting sensitive patient health information, but the virtual nature of telehealth complicates maintaining these standards. Nurses, as part of the healthcare team, have a duty to safeguard patient information; however, telehealth platforms may be vulnerable to cybersecurity threats such as hacking, unauthorized access, and data breaches (McGloin et al., 2020). For example, inadequate encryption or weak security measures in telehealth software can expose confidential health information to unauthorized individuals, violating nurse ethical obligations under the principles of beneficence and nonmaleficence. Additionally, the digital environment poses risks of inadvertent information disclosure, especially when sessions are conducted in non-private settings, either by the patient or the nurse (Li et al., 2020). Ensuring secure, encrypted communication channels and educating patients about the importance of private environments are ethical imperatives for nurses engaged in telehealth.
The second ethical issue concerns equitable access to telehealth services. The principle of justice emphasizes fairness in healthcare provision, but disparities in access to digital technologies threaten this ethical standard. Socioeconomic factors, geographic location, and technological literacy influence a patient's ability to benefit from telehealth services. Patients living in rural or low-income areas may lack reliable internet or advanced communication devices, effectively excluding them from equitable access to care (Shore et al., 2020). Nurses, therefore, face ethical dilemmas in ensuring that telehealth does not exacerbate existing health disparities. They must advocate for policies that increase digital inclusivity and consider alternative strategies for vulnerable populations who cannot access or use telehealth platforms effectively. Failure to do so risks violating the ethical principles of justice and beneficence by perpetuating health inequities.
Furthermore, the establishment of informed consent is a critical ethical consideration. The virtual context might complicate patients' understanding of their care, data privacy, and the limitations of telehealth. Nurses have an ethical obligation to ensure patients are adequately informed about the nature of telehealth services, potential risks, and privacy considerations (Shires et al., 2020). This includes obtaining explicit consent and verifying patient understanding, which may be challenging in virtual environments but remains essential for respecting patient autonomy.
In conclusion, as telehealth continues to grow within nursing practice, awareness and management of its associated ethical issues are paramount. Protecting patient privacy through secure technology and vigilant practices is crucial, alongside efforts to ensure equitable access for all patient populations. Ethical nursing practice in telehealth requires ongoing education, advocacy, and adherence to legal and professional standards to uphold the core principles of beneficence, nonmaleficence, justice, and autonomy.