Store-and-forward teledermatology improves care and reduces dermatology referrals from walk-in clinics: A retrospective descriptive study

    August 2019 in “ Journal of the American Academy of Dermatology ”
    John L. McAfee, Alok Vij, Christine Warren
    TLDR Teledermatology reduces unnecessary in-person visits and improves care.
    The study conducted by the Cleveland Clinic Health System evaluated the effectiveness of a store-and-forward teledermatology eConsult program in 25 walk-in clinics staffed by advanced practice providers (APPs). Between July 2014 and October 2017, 500 patients received 517 eConsults. The findings showed that teledermatologists' diagnoses differed from those of referring APPs in 71% of cases, and treatment changes were recommended in 60% of cases. An FTF visit was recommended in 28% of eConsults, and 71% of potential FTF visits were avoided. The program demonstrated that teledermatology could effectively reduce unnecessary FTF visits, particularly for acute, localized rashes, saving patients time and resources.
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