Dermatologists’ Perceptions on the Utility and Limitations of Teledermatology After Examining 55,000 Lesions
August 2019
in “
Journal of Telemedicine and Telecare
”
TLDR Dermatologists found teledermatology useful and confidence-boosting for diagnosing skin conditions, but faced limitations like technical issues and prescription restrictions. Despite this, they saw its potential to improve access to skin care, especially in remote areas.
In 2019, a study involving 12 dermatologists examined 55,000 skin lesions in 30,916 patients using teledermatology (TD). The dermatologists found TD useful for diagnosing and treating conditions like xerotic eczema, pigmentary disorders, and superficial infections. By the end of the study, 10 out of 12 dermatologists reported high confidence in TD, a significant increase from the start. However, they faced limitations such as technical issues, inability to suggest when a patient should have a face-to-face consultation, and a lack of options for drug prescriptions. The use of dermoscopic images significantly increased their confidence in diagnosing atypical naevi and malignant tumours. Despite the limitations, the dermatologists acknowledged the potential of TD in improving access to dermatological care, especially in remote areas.
