What is the Purpose of the Regulation?
The regulation aims to serve the provision of health services independent of time and geography through contemporary medical technologies;
- It determines the scope of remote health services,
- It permits healthcare facilities to provide remote health services,
- It fosters the development and registration of remote health information systems,
- It regulates the procedures and principles related to the supervision of healthcare institutions in this context.
Whom Does the Regulation Cover?
The regulation created for the provision of online health services on a more legal basis;
- It covers all healthcare facilities providing remote health services,
- It includes all healthcare professionals providing services remotely,
- It involves developers of remote health information systems,
- It encompasses individuals seeking remote health services.
What Health Services Can Be Provided Remotely?
According to the regulation, the following services can be provided by meeting the criteria for the provision of remote health services:
- Medical observation, monitoring, and evaluation of individuals, along with providing medical consultancy based on reviewing diagnosed diseases.
- Consultation or seeking secondary opinions in remote health services. If necessary, individuals may be advised to physically visit a healthcare institution.
- Assessment of parameters such as blood sugar and blood pressure for the remote management and monitoring of diseases, along with facilitating treatment and medication management.
- Services will be provided for the preservation and monitoring of health, supporting healthy living, and delivering psychosocial services.
- Comprehensive monitoring of high-risk elderly or individuals with increasing health risks, wearable technology and other medical devices can be used for measuring and tracking health data of those seeking health services.
- Medical prescriptions and reports can be prepared electronically for the patients by physicians.
What Needs to Be Done to Provide Remote Health Services?
First of all, a physician who wishes to provide online health services in line with the regulation must be affiliated with any healthcare facility. The healthcare facility to which they are affiliated must fulfill the following conditions to provide remote health services:
- The healthcare facility must obtain an activity permit for providing remote health services by applying to the Ministry of Health. The necessary documents for this application are available in Annex 1 of the regulation Here.
- The healthcare facility providing remote health services must use accredited software that enables written, audio, or visual communication, such as Bulutklinik, which is produced or approved by the Ministry of Health, and provides secure communication and is accredited by the Ministry of Health.
- After reviewing the application for the operation permit, the Ministry issues the operation permit. This document determines the field and boundaries of activity.
- Healthcare facilities currently providing remote health services must obtain an activity permit for remote health services within a maximum of 6 months from the date the regulation was published.
Can Healthcare Facilities Engaged in International Health Tourism Provide Remote Health Services?
Health facilities with an international health tourism authorization certificate can provide remote health services within the scope of health tourism and the health of tourists in accordance with the relevant legislation. In this phase, healthcare facilities wishing to provide online health services may prefer Bulutklinik software, where health tourism and tourist health notifications can be easily made.
No Health Service Can Be Provided Without Ministry Approval
Health facilities cannot provide remote health services in a field where they do not have the authority to provide health services without approval from the Ministry of Health. The relevant data obtained during the provision of remote health services cannot be processed or transferred outside the legislation.
For more detailed information about the publication of the regulation on the provision of remote health services, please visit https://www.resmigazete.gov.tr/eskiler/2022/02/20220210-2.htm.
