Improved patient access and outcomes with the integration of an eConsult program (teledermatology) within a large academic medical center

Virtual Continuity Clinics: A Hybrid Approach to Longitudinal Patient-Dermatologist Relationships in the Wake of COVID-19

“…Virtual or telephone encounters could offer greater access to these underserved patient populations who are at most risk of being lost-to-follow-up due to lack of reliable transportation and limited sick-days. 3,4 Many of the underserved also lack computers for telemedicine, but in our experience most lowerincome patients do have a cellular phone and can download a telehealth application. Continuous care for these vulnerable groups can provide increased access to medical services.…”

Analysis of availability of online dermatology appointments during the COVID-19 pandemic

“…This difference in wait times is consistent with findings from a single institution study performed in 2018, showing that mean wait times for virtual dermatology consultations (14.3 days) were significantly shorter than those for in-person referrals (34.7 days). 5 In a ZocDoc search for ''dermatologist'' for in-person appointments in April 2019, 26% of providers were nondermatologists compared to 33% in April 2020. 2 Therefore, in this past year, there has been an increase in nondermatologist physicians and midlevel providers offering dermatologic care.…”

Supporting Virtual Dermatology Consultation in the Setting of COVID-19

“…Virtual physician-patient visits provide significant opportunity to advance delivery of care in a visual specialty such as dermatology, however, prior to March 2020, were significantly underutilized [1]. In particular, telemedicine has proven to be a reliable consultation tool [2], increases access to underserved populations [3], improves efficiency [3], and is cost effective [4]. In some reports, up to 88% of patients are highly satisfied with teledermatology encounters with their provider [5][6][7].…”