Telehealth Consent
An encrypted telehealth consent form for remote consultations — technology requirements, privacy limitations, emergency protocol and digital signature, all secured end-to-end.
About this template
This template provides clinicians and telehealth providers with a complete informed consent form for remote consultations. Patients confirm they understand the technology requirements, privacy considerations, clinical limitations, and emergency procedures before their first telehealth session. All data is encrypted end-to-end.
What it collects
- Confirmation of technology and connectivity requirements
- Understanding of telehealth privacy and security
- Acknowledgment of clinical limitations vs in-person care
- Emergency contact and local emergency services awareness
- Consent to record (if applicable)
- Digital signature and date
Encrypted by default
Telehealth consent records are medical documents and special-category data under GDPR Article 9 and the Swiss nFADP. End-to-end encryption ensures only your practice can read the signed document.
How to use it
Use this template
Click 'Use template' to create a copy in your dashboard.
Add your platform details
Include your telehealth platform name and any specific technology instructions.
Send before the first session
Share the link when scheduling the first remote appointment — consent must precede the consultation.
Why telehealth providers need a dedicated consent form
Telehealth is not simply a delivery channel — it has distinct legal and clinical characteristics that differ from in-person care. The clinician cannot perform a physical examination; technology failures can interrupt the consultation; sessions may be transmitted over networks that are less private than a clinical setting; and the patient needs to know what to do if a medical emergency occurs during a remote session. A telehealth consent form captures the patient's understanding of all these differences before care begins.
In Switzerland, the Swiss Medical Association (FMH) and cantonal medical authorities require informed consent for telehealth services that includes disclosure of the remote nature of the consultation and its clinical limitations. The form also creates the legal record that consent was obtained, which is important for professional liability and audit purposes.
What a telehealth consent form should cover
- Platform and technology — what the patient needs (device, internet connection, privacy of location)
- Clinical limitations — what cannot be assessed or treated remotely
- Privacy and security — who may see or hear the session, recording policy
- Emergency procedure — what to do if a medical emergency occurs during the call
- Data handling — how the session and any data are stored and protected
- Voluntary participation — the patient's right to decline telehealth and request in-person care
Telehealth data — GDPR, nFADP and Swiss professional law
Telehealth consultations generate medical data subject to GDPR Article 9 and the Swiss nFADP. Additional obligations come from the Federal Act on the Electronic Patient Record (EPDG) and cantonal health law. The consultation itself, if recorded, requires separate explicit consent and specific retention rules. The consent form must be stored as part of the patient's record for the full retention period (ten years under KVG). End-to-end encryption protects the signed consent document in transit and at rest.
In-person consent vs telehealth-specific consent
| Standard consent | Telehealth consent | |
|---|---|---|
| Clinical scope | Full examination possible | Must disclose examination limits |
| Technology | Not relevant | Platform, connectivity, privacy |
| Emergency | Staff physically present | Remote emergency protocol required |
| Recording | Not applicable | Explicit separate consent required |
Common mistakes to avoid
- Assuming standard in-person consent covers telehealth services — it does not.
- Not disclosing the clinical limitations of remote assessment.
- Failing to document what happens in a technical failure or emergency mid-session.
- Storing the signed consent separately from the patient's main record.
Frequently asked questions
Is telehealth legally permitted in Switzerland?
Yes, with conditions. The FMH allows remote consultations for follow-ups and appropriate cases. A physical examination is required before telehealth treatment in some clinical scenarios. Informed consent specific to the remote modality is required in all cases.
Does the patient need to give new consent for every telehealth session?
A single consent document at the start of the telehealth relationship is generally sufficient unless circumstances change significantly (new platform, new practitioner, recording policy change). Review with the patient if a substantial gap in care occurs.
Is this consent form data encrypted?
Yes. The signed consent form is encrypted in the patient's browser before submission. Only your practice holds the decryption key.
See our use case for healthcare and telehealth providers, our guide to telehealth data privacy in Switzerland, and our comparison of encrypted form tools for remote clinical settings.