As with many areas of healthcare, technological advancements have influenced dermatology, the branch of medicine that focuses on the diagnosis and treatment of skin, hair, nails, and mucous membrane disorders. One of the most transformative innovations has been teledermatology, a specialized field within telehealth that uses virtual communication technologies to provide remote dermatological care. Since its origins in the 1990s, it has evolved significantly to improve accessibility and patient outcomes.
What is Teledermatology?
The World Health Organization (WHO) defines teledermatology as using information and communication technologies to deliver dermatological healthcare services. This involves exchanging information for diagnosis, treatment, disease prevention, and teaching, especially where distance is a factor.
Types of Teledermatology
Within teledermatology, there are two forms1 of implementation, distinguished primarily by the extent of urgency of treatment.
The store-and-forward method gathers medical data (e.g., images, videos) and sends it to a dermatologist for review. It works well for non-urgent cases and lets dermatologists review cases at their convenience. For a more interactive approach, real-time teledermatology involves live video conferencing between the patient and the dermatologist for immediate discussion and diagnosis. It is particularly beneficial for urgent cases, as advancements in technology allow it to provide an experience similar to an in-person visit. Both methods enhance access to dermatological care and can be even more effective when combined in a comprehensive teledermatology program.
Benefits
Teledermatology addresses critical challenges of:
- Accessibility: Teledermatology transcends geographical barriers, providing specialized care to patients in rural or underserved areas with limited access to dermatologists.
- Cost-effectiveness: By minimizing the need for in-person visits, it reduces travel time and overall healthcare costs for both patients and healthcare providers.
- Better patient outcomes: Early diagnosis and timely treatment can lead to improved health outcomes. Teledermatology can facilitate quicker access to care, which is crucial for conditions that require immediate attention.
Patient satisfaction with teledermatology is generally comparable to in-person visits, though experiences vary. While some studies2 report high satisfaction and willingness to recommend the service, others note concerns like discomfort with being photographed or unease during video consultations. Clear communication and follow-up, particularly from the referring physician, are vital for a positive patient experience. Addressing these concerns through healthcare education and prioritizing patient satisfaction is key to the continued growth and broader adoption of teledermatology.
Applications
Teledermatology is a powerful tool for both diagnosing a variety of skin conditions and managing chronic skin diseases.
Teledermatology is effective in diagnosing a variety of common skin conditions, including acne, eczema, psoriasis, skin infections, and skin cancer. These conditions can be accurately assessed through high-quality images and patient information.
Overall, teledermatology can be considered reliable, as studies3 demonstrate high diagnostic concordance between teledermatology and in-person examinations. Teledermatologists and clinic-based dermatologists completely agreed on a diagnosis in 78% to 84% of cases (92%-98% partial agreement). However, proper image quality and physician training are crucial for reliable diagnosis.
- Monitoring Chronic Skin Diseases and Follow-up
Virtual consultations enable ongoing management and follow-up of chronic skin conditions such as psoriasis, eczema, and chronic wounds. These check-ins facilitate disease monitoring, treatment adjustments, and consistent care, allowing for timely identification of exacerbations or complications and prompt interventions. Patients also receive education and support regarding their condition and treatment adherence, which can improve overall outcomes.
Additionally, teledermatology can facilitate multidisciplinary collaboration4 by allowing dermatologists to consult with other healthcare providers, ensuring a holistic approach to patient care.
Challenges in Teledermatology
Visual Accuracy
Accurate dermatological diagnoses depend on precise, high-resolution images with true-to-life colors. High-quality cameras, such as the AVer MD330UI, are essential for capturing the fine details necessary for an accurate diagnosis. With advanced imaging technology for clarity and color fidelity required to identify various skin conditions, these cameras can pick up the fine details and exact colors that dermatologists rely on to make the right calls.
Integration with Other Systems
Integrating teledermatology platforms with existing electronic health records (EHRs) and other healthcare technologies can be challenging. Smooth integration is key for easy data sharing and providing comprehensive patient care. Teledermatology platforms need to connect seamlessly with existing EHR systems to give healthcare providers easy access to patient records, streamline their workflows, and support coordinated, all-around care.
Patient Privacy and Security
Virtual dermatological consultations offer convenience, but they also raise privacy concerns. That said, the technology itself can help mitigate these risks. Cameras and telemedicine platforms with built-in privacy functions, such as AVer’s MD330U camera and the Pexip Infinity video platform, feature a mosaic function and secure data transmission protocols to shield sensitive information and maintain confidentiality during teledermatology sessions.
Rural Access
Telehealth services are crucial for extending specialty care to underserved rural populations, even in the U.S., where skin cancers are one of the most common malignancies5 but dermatological care is often hundreds of miles away. Clinics offering teledermatology consultation can help, but access to reliable Internet connections and appropriate equipment risk impacting the quality of care. As such, upgrading rural clinics with the necessary technology and infrastructure can bridge this gap and deliver timely and accurate dermatological care.
Real-World Applications of Teledermatology
A review6 of 86 case studies found that teledermatology programs in rural areas successfully complemented traditional care by enhancing diagnostic precision and physician satisfaction. Building on these findings, individual cases further illustrate how teledermatology makes a difference.
A UK pilot program in Leeds improved cancer care by allowing general practitioners (GPs) to securely transmit skin lesion images to dermatologists. Out of 12,294 referrals, 8,261 patients (67%) were assessed via teledermatology, speeding up diagnoses to within 48 hours. Image assessment took 75 seconds on average, much faster than a typical 12-minute in-person consultation. The discharge rate back to GPs based on image assessments increased from 9.5% to 33%. This successful pilot secured national funding and has been widely adopted across GP practices in Leeds.
In rural Miaoli, Taiwan, where locals often face long travel times to access medical care, Taichung Veterans General Hospital (TCVGH) launched a volunteer medical service incorporating telehealth technologies. Doctors used AVer’s MD330U Medical Grade PTZ Camera to consult with off-site specialists on patients requiring further dermatological evaluation. The camera’s high-quality, true-to-color images and fine details enabled effective diagnosis by off-site dermatologists, bridging the gap between remote and in-person care and demonstrating the potential of telemedicine to improve rural dermatological access.
The Upshot
Teledermatology can improve dermatology by increasing accessibility, reducing healthcare costs, and improving patient outcomes. However, the success of teledermatology depends on the commitment of dermatologists to use the technology effectively. By breaking down geographical barriers, teledermatology is beneficial in reducing wait times to consult with a dermatologist, particularly for patients in rural or underserved areas. As the technology works alongside dermatologists to enhance diagnostic accuracy and streamline workflows, it is crucial to address the challenges, such as visual accuracy, integration with other systems, and patient privacy and security. As case studies have demonstrated, teledermatology is not only a practical solution for expanding healthcare access but also a transformative tool for improving efficiency and clinical outcomes.
Learn more about how AVer’s telehealth solutions are spearheading technological advances that address these challenges with innovative products designed to enhance patient care and outcomes.
References
Tommasino, Nello, Matteo Megna, Sara Cacciapuoti, Alessia Villani, Fabrizio Martora, Angelo Ruggiero, Lucia Genco, and Luca Potestio. 2024. “The Past, the Present and the Future of Teledermatology: A Narrative Review.” Clinical Cosmetic and Investigational Dermatology Volume 17 (March): 717–23. https://doi.org/10.2147/ccid.s462799. ↑
Campagna, M., F. Naka, and J. Lu. 2017. “Teledermatology: An Updated Overview of Clinical Applications and Reimbursement Policies.” International Journal of Women’s Dermatology 3 (3): 176–79. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ijwd.2017.04.002. ↑
Levin, Yakir S., and Erin M. Warshaw. 2009. “Teledermatology: A Review of Reliability and Accuracy of Diagnosis and Management.” Dermatologic Clinics 27 (2): 163–76. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.det.2008.11.012. ↑
Kerure, Amit S., Nitika S. Deshmukh, Shaurya Rohatgi, and Sandeep Agarwal. 2021. “Evaluating the Advantages and Disadvantages of Teledermatology.” Journal of Skin and Stem Cell 7 (4). https://doi.org/10.5812/jssc.111118. ↑
Perednia DA, Brown NA. “Teledermatology: one application of telemedicine.” Bull Med Libr Assoc. 1995 Jan;83(1):42-7. PMID: 7703938; PMCID: PMC225996. ↑
Coustasse, Alberto, Raghav Sarkar, Bukola Abodunde, Brandon J. Metzger, and Chelsea M. Slater. 2019. “Use of Teledermatology to Improve Dermatological Access in Rural Areas.” Telemedicine Journal and E-Health 25 (11): 1022–32. https://doi.org/10.1089/tmj.2018.0130. ↑