What telehealth is
Telehealth involves the use of electronic communications — secure video, audio, and messaging — to enable a Massachusetts-licensed health care provider at a different location to deliver care to you. Audio and video information may be used for diagnosis, treatment, follow-up, and patient education.
Benefits
- Improved access to care without travel
- More efficient evaluation and management
- Comparable quality of care for many conditions, when appropriate
Risks and limitations
- Information transmitted may not be sufficient (for example, due to poor video quality) for appropriate medical decision-making by the provider.
- Delays in evaluation or treatment could occur due to deficiencies or failures of the equipment.
- In rare instances, security protocols could fail, causing a breach of privacy of personal medical information.
- In rare instances, a lack of access to complete medical records may result in adverse drug interactions or allergic reactions or other clinical errors.
- Telehealth is not appropriate in emergencies. If you have a medical emergency, call 911 or go to the nearest emergency department.
Specific to testosterone replacement therapy
You acknowledge and consent that:
- Testosterone is a Schedule III controlled substance under federal law and M.G.L. c. 94C.
- A complete laboratory evaluation, including two morning fasting total testosterone draws plus the additional panel ordered by your physician, is required before any prescription decision.
- Treatment is not guaranteed; your physician may determine you are not a candidate.
- Testosterone therapy can cause erythrocytosis (elevated red blood cell count), suppression of fertility and sperm production, acne, gynecomastia, mood changes, and possible increased rates of atrial fibrillation, pulmonary embolism, and acute kidney injury per the TRAVERSE trial (NEJM 2023).
- Periodic follow-up labs (typically at 3 and 6 months and then every 6–12 months) are required to continue therapy safely.
- Your physician may discontinue therapy if monitoring criteria are not met (for example, hematocrit greater than 54%, concerning PSA changes, or onset of an absolute contraindication).
Patient rights
- You may withhold or withdraw consent to telehealth at any time.
- You have the right to request an in-person referral if your physician determines telehealth is not appropriate for your situation.
- You may receive a copy of your medical record on request.
Massachusetts disclosures
Care is provided by a Massachusetts-licensed physician under BORIM Policy 15-05. Pursuant to 243 CMR 2.07, your physician's name, Massachusetts license number, and the address of record are available on request and disclosed in your patient portal.
Acknowledgment
By signing the electronic consent in our patient portal, you confirm that you have read this notice, understand it, have had an opportunity to ask questions, and consent to receive care via telehealth from Tier 1 TRT PC.