Healthcare in Virtual Spaces: A Comparative Analysis of Iranian and American Telemedicine and Healthcare History, Regulations and Challenges

Document Type : Original article

Authors

Department of Law, Faculty of Social Sciences and Economics, Alzahra University, Tehran, Iran

10.22059/jcss.2024.377166.1105

Abstract

This essay offers a comparative analysis of health law and telemedicine in Iran and the United States. It explores unique aspects of healthcare systems, regulations, challenges, and opportunities in both nations, tracing the historical development of health law and virtual health from inception to modern times. Specific challenges and opportunities exist within each country's healthcare systems, telemedicine practices, and regulations. For instance, in Iran, the coexistence of traditional and modern legal frameworks makes it essential to ensure that the laws are updated. The United States has a complex landscape of virtual health that needs to be maintained and integrated. What is similar in both countries is the importance of privacy. The analysis emphasizes the importance of adapting legal frameworks to accommodate technological advancements while protecting patient interests. Enhancing health laws and expanding telemedicine capabilities in both countries can improve access to virtual healthcare and enhance the quality and safety of patient care.

Keywords

Main Subjects


Bakhtiari Aliabad, M.; Sadeghi, N.; Mokhtari-Payam, M.; Seddighi, S.; Ehsanzadehsorati, S,J.; et al. (2023). “Establishment and utilization of electronic health records in Iran: A review of the policy documents of the past four decades”. Shiraz E-Med J. 24(7): e137492. https://doi.org/10.5812/semj-137492.
Biegel, S. (2000). “Virtual health care: Unresolved legal issues.” Journal of the California Dental Association. 28(2): 128-131.
Brownson, R.C.; Chriqui, J.F. & Stamatakis, K.A. (2009). Evidence-Based Public Health Policy. Government, Politics, and Law Policy, Politics, and Collective Action Understanding Evidence-Based Public Health Policy.
Catalyst, N.E.J.M. (2018). “What is telehealth?”. NEJM Catalyst. 4(1). doi: https://catalyst.nejm.org/doi/full/10.1056/CAT.18.0268.
Clark, P.A.; Capuzzi, K. & Harrison, J. (2010). “Telemedicine: medical, legal and ethical perspectives”. Medical Science Monitor: International Medical Journal of Experimental and Clinical Research. 16(12): RA261–RA272.
Damari, B.; Tabrizchi, N. & Riazi-Isfahani, S. (2016). “Telemedicine in the Iranian healthcare system: The role of virtual health in improving access to care”. Health Research Policy and Systems. 14(1).
Doshmangir, L.; Moshiri, E. & Farzadfar, F. (2020). “Health system challenges in telemedicine services: The current debates and future strategies in Iran”. Health Information Management. 16(1). doi: 23. 338-352. 10.34172/aim.2020.24.
Dwyer III, S.J.; Weaver, A.C. & Hughes, K.K. (2006). “Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act”. Annals of Internal Medicine. 72(2). 9-18.
Esfahani, M.N..; Mirsepassi, G. & Atef-Vahid, M.K. (2015). “Development of mental health law in Iran: work in progress”. BJPsych International. 12(3): 68–70. doi: https://doi.org/10.1192/s2056474000000477.
Garber, K.M. & Chike-Harris, K.E. (2021). “Nurse practitioners and virtual care: A 50-State review of APRN telehealth law and policy”. Telehealth and Medicine Today.4.
Gostin, L.O. (2008). Public Health Law: Power, Duty, Restraint. 2nd Ed. University of California Press.
Government, Politics, and Law. (2021). Policy, Politics, and Collective Action: Evidence in public health policy.
Hajizadeh, A. & Monaghesh, E. (2021). “Telehealth services support community during the COVID-19 outbreak in Iran: Activities of Ministry of Health and Medical Education. Information in Medicine”. Informatics in Medicine Unlocked. 24, 100567. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.imu.2021.100567.
Leslie, K.; Myles, S.; Schiller, C.J.; Alraja, A.A.; Nelson, S. & Adams, T.L. (2023). “Protecting the public interest while regulating health professionals providing virtual care”. PLOS Digit Health. 2(4). e0000163. https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pdig.0000163.
Mohiqi, M. (2023). “Personal Data Protection in the Iranian Legal System”. Journal of Politics and Law. 16. 10. 10.5539/jpl.v16n3p10.
Nasiripour, A.A. (2012). “Effective elements on e-health deployment in Iran”. African Journal of Business Management. 6. doi: 10.5897/AJBM11.2791.
Salehahmadi, Z. & Hajialiasghari, F. (2013). “Telemedicine in iran: chances and challenges”. World Journal of Plastic Surgery. 2(1): 18-25.
Sharifi, H.; Ayat, M.; Jahanbakhsh, M.; Tavakoli, N.; Mokhtari, H. & Wan Ismail, W.K. (2013). “E-health implementation challenges in Iranian medical centers: a qualitative study in Iran”. Telemedicine and e-Health. 19(2): 122-128
Zahedi, F.; Emami Razavi, S. & Larijani, B. (2009). “A two-decade review of medical ethics in Iran”. Iran J Public Health. 1(38 (Supple 1)): 40-46.