Legal comparison of the use of telemedicine between Indonesia and the United States

Abstract

PurposeThis study aims to analyze the way Indonesian and the US laws regulate the reality and implications of legal issues regarding telemedicine, including the protection of citizens in using telemedicine.Design/methodology/approachThis normative legal study used secondary data comprising primary and secondary legal materials based on the law as a norm. The normative legal method was used because the data were based on laws and regulations, reports, journals and research governing telemedicine in Indonesia and the USA.FindingsThe results showed similarities between Indonesia and the USA regarding health services as part of protecting human rights. The differences in implementing telemedicine are from a legal aspect. The legal comparison of telemedicine implementation between the two countries resulted in differences in regulation, informed consent, medical records, practice licenses and medical prescriptions.Research limitations/implicationsThis study discussed telemedicine’s legal aspects in Indonesia and the USA.Practical implicationsThis study aimed to determine the implementation and guidelines used by the USA to be considered for adoption by Indonesia for legal certainty.Social implicationsThe results showed that legal threats could be a weakness of law in Indonesia. Therefore, the government should develop guidelines about telemedicine to accommodate citizens’ legal protection and certainty.Originality/valueThis study is original and could be used as a reference for policymakers in Indonesia and the USA in protecting citizens using telemedicine services. The findings provide a perspective based on Health Law in Indonesia.