Ethical and legal issues related to the clinical application of telemedicine

The rapid development of information and communication technology has brought about new ways of diagnosis and treatment. The growing impact on health care practices of the combination between medical sciences and telematic computers materialized in an incredibly wide range of new applications called telemedicine. The great variety of opportunities provided by this new field defines telemedicine set against a historical clinical practice background. As it attracts both supporters and opponents, telemedicine, as both a concept and quickly developing field, leads to controversies. The ethical principles and legal issues set out as telemedicine covering tools are meant to protect the dignity, rights, safety and welfare of participants.