Feasibility and diagnostic accuracy of teledermatology in Swiss primary care: process analysis of a randomized controlled trial

Abstract

Teledermatology with digital images taken in primary care was feasible from a GP and from a specialist perspective. However, diagnostic appropriateness regarding avoidance of specialist care and possible missed skin cancer raises concerns. These results therefore question a promotion of teledermatology in clinical routine.

Comparing High Definition Live Interactive and Store-and-Forward Consultations to In-Person Examinations

“…When malignancies and other conditions having considerable consequences are suspect, however, additional measures are needed. 26 The higher propensity to biopsy and overall lower confidence for remote methods found in this study not only reinforce earlier research suggesting biopsy an indicator of uncertainty, 27,28 but also suggests these biopsies are probably clinically justified as a precaution.…”

Incidence of melanoma and keratinocytic carcinomas in patients evaluated by store‐and‐forward teledermatology vs. dermatology clinic

“…However, this difference was not statistically significant, and a larger sample size would be beneficial in clarifying the significance of this trend. The observed keratinocytic carcinoma detection rates for SAF teledermatology and F2F consultation in this study (5.5% and 8.5%, respectively) are comparable to prior studies in the VA and general population …”

“…The observed keratinocytic carcinoma detection rates for SAF teledermatology and F2F consultation in this study (5.5% and 8.5%, respectively) are comparable to prior studies in the VA and general population. 5,11,12 Our study focused on the prevalence of major skin cancer risk factors such as personal and family history of skin cancer and history of immunosuppression as these are queried on the standardized teledermatology intake form and routinely in clinic visits. Information such as Fitzpatrick phototype, history of sunburn, or atypical mole history were not available for any SAF teledermatology patients unless they were seen in dermatology clinic subsequently.…”

Real‐time mobile teledermoscopy for skin cancer screening targeting an agricultural population: an experiment on 289 patients in France

“…In France, as in some other countries (i.e., the United States of America, Australia and Switzerland), access to dermatologists is limited by an undersupply of these specialists, which results in long wait times. In rural areas, this problem is more acute because of both the rarity of specialists and geographical distances …”