Utilization of Telemedicine in the U.S. Military in a Deployed Setting

The retrospective study evaluated the U.S. Department of Defense's teledermatology consultation program from 2004 to 2012, with a focus on 658 cases from 2011 to 2012. It found that 98% of consults were answered within 24 hours, and 23% within 1 hour. The most common diagnoses were eczematous dermatitis, contact dermatitis, and nonmelanoma skin cancer, with treatments often including topical corticosteroids and oral antibiotics. The program was effective in avoiding 46 unnecessary medical evacuations and facilitating 41 necessary ones, demonstrating the value of telemedicine in providing dermatological support to remote military locations. The study also noted a correlation between the number of consults and troop numbers in Afghanistan and Iraq, with decreases during military drawdowns. Despite limitations such as potential diagnostic bias and lack of protected health information, the low need for follow-up communication indicated the success of the consultations. The program has been critical in timely care delivery and has fostered inter-specialty collaborations since 2004.