NMC issues advisory on digital signatures for medical records, sets rules for doctors

The National Medical Commission (NMC) has issued an advisory addressing the use of digital signatures for remote authentication of medical records, particularly in the context of telemedicine. Doctors are advised to authenticate medical records digitally only after thoroughly reviewing all relevant clinical information, records, and other necessary data to form an opinion. The NMC clarifies that digitally signing a record does not relieve doctors of their professional, ethical, or legal obligations.

The advisory specifies that digital authentication is only valid for medical reports and records generated at healthcare facilities where the doctor is employed, empanelled, contracted, or professionally associated. Furthermore, the doctor must maintain sole control over digital authentication credentials, including signatures, electronic signatures, signature creation data, authentication credentials, access tokens, or other mechanisms used for authentication.

These elements must remain under the doctor's control and must not be shared, delegated, or transferred to others without their consent.

The advisory extends to foreign medical experts providing remote consultations or second opinions to Indian healthcare establishments. While such opinions can be considered by the treating team in accordance with applicable law, the advisory does not recognize foreign medical registration. It emphasizes that the advisory should not be interpreted as allowing practice by unlicensed individuals or recognizing foreign medical registration.

The NMC emphasizes the need for uniform implementation of digital healthcare technologies nationwide. Divergent practices have emerged across healthcare settings, leading to uncertainty regarding the remote review and authentication of medical records. The goal of the advisory is to promote consistent application of existing legal frameworks, eliminate ambiguity, ensure patient safety, preserve professional accountability, and facilitate the responsible adoption of digital healthcare technologies.