Confidentiality

Before carrying out a remote consultation, it is important to obtain consent from the patient. You should inform the patient of any limitations of clinical assessment by remote consultation and also of any potential security risks associated with the consultation taking place via the internet. It is important to make an assessment of the patient’s capacity to make decisions about any treatment proposed.

You must ensure you carry out the consultation in an environment where you can maintain patient confidentiality. For example, explain to the patient the importance of being somewhere private where details of the consultation cannot be overheard or seen by anyone else.

Confidentiality tips

• You still need to safeguard confidential patient information in the same way you would with any other consultation.
• Ensure that all information is recorded in the appropriate care record
• Ensure any personal information stored on your own device, or obtained through a video or telephone conversation, is safely transferred to the appropriate health and care record as soon as possible, (preferably the same day)
• If you are using your own device, ensure you delete any personal information, including back-up data.
• Apply your own relevant professional standards, as you would normally.