TELEMEDICINE IN AYURVEDA: ETHICAL AND LEGAL CHALLENGES - A NARRATIVE REVIEW

*Dr. Ishwar Balasaheb Yadav, Dr. Ashwini Patil

ABSTRACT

Telemedicine has emerged as an important component of contemporary healthcare delivery, particularly because of the rapid expansion of digital communication technologies and the need to improve access to healthcare services. Ayurveda, as a traditional system of medicine with a holistic approach to patient care, is increasingly being integrated with digital modes of consultation. Telemedicine can facilitate Ayurvedic consultation, follow-up, health education, lifestyle counselling and continuity of care, particularly for patients living in geographically remote areas. However, the practice of Ayurveda through telemedicine presents several ethical and legal challenges. Informed consent, patient identification, confidentiality, privacy, professional secrecy, maintenance of medical records, prescription practices, appropriate referral and professional accountability become particularly important when physical examination is limited or absent. The Ayurvedic physician must also recognize situations in which teleconsultation is inadequate and an in-person clinical examination is necessary. The regulatory environment for Indian System of Medicine in India has evolved under the National Commission for Indian System of Medicine (NCISM) framework. The National Commission for Indian System of Medicine (Ethics and Registration) Regulations, 2023 provide an important framework for professional ethics and registration of practitioners. General Indian telemedicine guidance also emphasizes professional judgment, patient and practitioner identification, consent, evaluation and appropriate patient management. This narrative review discusses the ethical, legal and professional challenges associated with telemedicine in Ayurveda and proposes principles for safe, responsible and patient-centred tele-Ayurveda practice.

Keywords: Ayurveda, Telemedicine, Tele-Ayurveda, Medical Ethics, Professional Conduct.