Patient-assisted teledermatology practice: What is it? When, where, and how it is applied?

Abstract

Recent teledermatology practice has been focused on different models made possible by robust advances in information technology leading to consistent interaction between the patient and health care professionals. Patient-assisted teledermatology practice also called patient-enabled teledermatology or home based teledermatology is one such novel model. There is a lack of scientific literature and substantive reviews on patient-assisted teledermatology practice. The present article reviews several studies and surveys on patient-assisted teledermatology practice and outlines its advantages and barriers to clinical utility and analyses the potentiality of this concept. Incorporating patient-assisted teledermatology practice as a novel model in the revised classification of teledermatology practice is proposed. In patient-assisted teledermatology, the patient can upload his/her clinical images as a first contact with the dermatologist or an initial face-to-face examination can be followed by teledermatology consultations. The latter method is well suited to chronic diseases such as psoriasis, vitiligo, and leg ulcers, which may need frequent follow-up entailing significant costs and time, particularly in the elderly. Teledermatology may also be used by the treating dermatologist to seek expert opinion for difficult cases. Studies have demonstrated the importance and usability of the concept of patient-assisted teledermatology practice. Various teledermatology care models are available and the appropriate model should be chosen depending on whether the clinical situation is that of easily diagnosed cases ("spotters"), chronic cases or doubtful cases and difficult-to-manage cases.

Development of mHealth system for supporting self-management and remote consultation of skincare

“…Among those characteristics are interactivity, personalization, and timeliness. In teledermatology practice, a service delivery model that includes interactions between patient and healthcare professional is referred to as patient-enabled teledermatology [ 13 ]. This novel service delivery model is made possible by the robust advances in information and communication technologies that allows consistent and reliable communications between patients and clinicians.…”

A comprehensive research agenda for zero leprosy

“…Digital interventions such as eLearning, digital diagnostics, and geolocation of leprosy patients are priorities. A number of applications are under development, including digital registries; a leprosy referral and surveillance network among healthcare providers; tele-dermatology to support health workers with access to medical specialists [ 22 ]; and, smartphone apps to facilitate diagnosis and treatment for peripheral health workers [ 23 ]. Policy to support the practical implementation of these developments will also be needed.…”

A Teledermatologia na Prática Médica

“…E, até o momento, são poucas as ferramentas elaboradas para subsidiar a abordagem das afecções cutâ-neas por médicos não dermatologistas na atenção primária em saúde. A Organização Mundial em Saúde define telemedicina como a prática de cuidados em saúde que utiliza a interação áudio, visual e comunicação de dados; assim, é a informação que transita e não o paciente [7][8][9] . Essa prática está sendo amplamente utilizada na área da saúde, e a dermatologia, por causa do seu caráter visual, é especialmente adequada à aplicação da telemedicina.…”

“…Essa prática está sendo amplamente utilizada na área da saúde, e a dermatologia, por causa do seu caráter visual, é especialmente adequada à aplicação da telemedicina. A teledermatologia, independentemente da modalidade, promete ser melhor, mais barata e mais rápida no atendimento dermatológico [7][8][9] . É "melhor"', por proporcionar o acesso ao dermatologista nas áreas anteriormente impossíveis, e "rápi-da e mais barata", por limitar tempo e local, reduzindo custos.…”