The American College of Physicians (ACP) released a paper – titled “A Guide to the Use of Telemedicine in Primary Care Settings: An American College of Physicians Position Paper” – setting forth their recommended guidelines for the development of the telemedicine industry. Published in Annals of Internal Medicine, the paper focuses on the use of telehealth technology in primary care, and outlines over a dozen policy statements and guidelines for reimbursement and utilization. Challenges and risks Telemedicine offers great promise for expanding healthcare access to rural and under-served areas, but also great risks if clear guidelines are not implemented. Increased oversight of the rapidly changing telehealth industry is necessary to prevent breaches of security while allowing the telemedicine landscape to develop. There are many types of telehealth services used by physicians, which each present unique regulatory challenges. Asynchronous communication is the transmitting of medical information not used in real time, whereas synchronous communication entails 2-way audiovisual communication between a doctor and patient. Remote patient monitoring is the use of a monitoring tool, such as a digital stethoscope or blood pressure monitor, from the home. Mobile healthcare services include mobile applications and text messages used to track and monitor patients’ health regimens. Read more at Nelson Hardiman.