Potential ethical issues that could be of concern for nurses with telehealth-delivered care.

Sample Answer

As healthcare continues to migrate toward digital platforms, the transition to telehealth introduces complex ethical challenges that differ significantly from traditional bedside nursing. While telehealth increases access, it forces nurses to navigate the tension between technological efficiency and clinical ethics.

Below are two primary ethical issues that concern nurses in telehealth delivery.

The Digital Divide and Justice

In nursing ethics, the principle of Justice dictates that all patients should have equal access to care and resources. Telehealth, however, can inadvertently create a "two-tiered" healthcare system, often referred to as the Digital Divide.

Socioeconomic Disparities: Patients with lower incomes may lack high-speed internet, smartphones, or the private spaces necessary for a confidential virtual visit.

Health Literacy and Ageism: Older adults or those with limited digital literacy may struggle to navigate the software, leading to "digital exclusion."