Teledermatology in the COVID-19 Pandemic: A Systematic Review
August 2021
in “
JAAD international
”
TLDR Teledermatology became a valuable and convenient tool for skin care during the COVID-19 pandemic.
The systematic review on teledermatology (TD) during the COVID-19 pandemic analyzed 27 studies involving 16,981 patients and found that TD was crucial in maintaining dermatological care while minimizing virus transmission risks. Synchronous TD (real-time interaction) was more common than asynchronous TD (store-and-forward) and effectively managed conditions like acne and eczema, diagnosed COVID-19-related skin issues, and followed up on stable oncodermatology cases. Despite challenges such as limited reimbursement, poor image quality, and technological difficulties, TD reduced face-to-face consultations, no-show rates, and conserved personal protective equipment. The review emphasizes the need for high-quality clinical photographs and improved infrastructure and financial support to enhance TD services.
