A Comparative Study of the Status of Electronic Medical Contracts (Telemedicine) in Iranian and French Law
Subject Areas : حقوق پزشکی
1 - Master of Private Law, Department of Law, Faculty of Literature and Humanities, Guilan University, Rasht, Iran.
Keywords: Telemedicine, electronic medical contract, physician liability, informed consent, Iranian law, French law.,
Abstract :
The extensive developments in information and communication technologies over recent decades have fundamentally transformed the field of healthcare and paved the way for the emergence of electronic medical contracts, or telemedicine. By removing geographical barriers and increasing patients’ access to specialized services, particularly during the COVID-19 pandemic, this modern mode of healthcare delivery has become one of the core pillars of global health systems. Despite these advantages, telemedicine faces numerous legal and ethical challenges, including the validity of electronic contracts, physicians’ liability in cases of medical error, informed consent in the digital environment, and the protection of health data.The present study adopts a descriptive–analytical and comparative approach to examine the legal status of electronic medical contracts in Iranian and French law. The findings indicate that French law, through the enactment of specific regulations, has succeeded in establishing a clear framework for the validity of electronic medical contracts, the requirement of informed consent, stringent protection of health data, and a multilayered liability regime. In contrast, Iranian law continues to rely on general principles of medical law and civil liability and lacks an independent and transparent framework for regulating these relationships. Accordingly, this study proposes that the Iranian legal system, drawing on the French experience, undertake the drafting of comprehensive legislation, revise the liability of physicians and healthcare institutions, and establish a dedicated protective regime for health data. Such reforms can contribute to improving the quality of digital health services and enhancing public trust in electronic medical contracts.
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