Dermatologie in der Telemedizin

Abstract

Telemedicine including teledermatology is the application of telecommunication technology for the purpose of diagnostics, planning and guiding of therapy and education. With the possibility to gain fast access to specialty knowledge, telemedicine makes it possible to deliver health care to patients at distant sites. By participating in telemedical consultations, patients receive accurate diagnosis in a rapid manner and save travel costs and time. Due to recent advances in computing and telecommunications technology, telemedicine will assume a more and more important role in future health care delivery. Telemedicine is utilized by almost all medical specialties but to varying degrees. Dermatology as a visually based specialty is predestined to use the various capabilities of telemedicine. The main applications so far include teledermatohistology and clinical teledermatology. The objective of this paper is to present the current status of teledermatology as part of telemedicine with a look toward future applications.

Wound Teleconsultation in Patients with Chronic Leg Ulcers

“…Several studies showing the feasibility and usefulness of e-visits in dermatology have already been described in the literature, and a high accordance for diagnosis between live visits and e-consultations has been reported in all of them [2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16]. Most of these studies demonstrate high accordance for the diagnosis of inflammatory and neoplastic skin diseases [17, 18, 19, 20, 21], and particularly for the diagnosis of pigmented skin lesions (teledermoscopy) [22, 23, 24, 25, 26].…”

“…However, the lack of direct contact between the teledermatologist and the patient has potential risks; for example, adverse events that would have been noticed in clinical visits might go unnoticed in e-consultations [1, 7, 11]. For teledermatology to be successful in providing a reliable and helpful service for chronic wound care, the clinicians or nurses who initially evaluate the patient must reliably transmit additional data concerning concurrent diseases, previous treatment modalities and response to therapy as well as known allergic reactions and major changes in the patient’s general condition.…”

Telemedicine and teledermatology: Past, present and future

“…The potential applications for telemedicine encompass the entire field of health‐care, ranging from general practitioners and specialists to hospitals and research and teaching institutions. Telemedicine also provides access to medical care to underserved areas [21].…”

“…“ Home monitoring ” devices with integrated communication components send telemetric data (e.g., blood sugar levels or ECG signs) to treating physicians who can make necessary treatment adjustments. Such applications are increasingly used especially in the care of diabetic and heart patients [21, 23]. Special alarm systems in the homes of elderly and disabled patients can also help them receive help faster [21, 23].…”

“…Such applications are increasingly used especially in the care of diabetic and heart patients [21, 23]. Special alarm systems in the homes of elderly and disabled patients can also help them receive help faster [21, 23].…”