Patients’ Experiences of Telemedicine for Their Skin Problems: Qualitative Study

Abstract

Background Teledermatology is a cost-effective treatment modality for the management of skin disorders. Most evaluations use quantitative data, and far less is understood about the patients’ experience. Objective This qualitative study aimed to explore patients’ perceptions of a teledermatology service linking public primary care clinics to the national specialist dermatology clinic in Singapore. A better understanding of patients’ experiences can help refine and develop the care provided. Methods Semistructured in-depth interviews were conducted with patients who had been referred to the teledermatology service. The interviews were digitally recorded and transcribed before undergoing thematic content analysis. Results A total of 21 patients aged between 22 and 72 years were recruited. The following 3 themes were identified from the data of patients’ experiences: positive perceptions of teledermatology, concerns about teledermatology, and ideas for improving the teledermatology service. The patients found the teledermatology service convenient, saving them time and expense and liberating them from the stresses incurred when making an in-person visit to a specialist facility. They valued the confidence and reassurance they gained from having a dermatologist involved in deciding their management. The patients’ concern included data security and the quality of the images shared. Nonetheless, they were keen to see the service expanded beyond the polyclinics. Their experiences and perceptions will inform future service refinement and development. Conclusions This narrative exploration of users’ experiences of teledermatology produced rich data enabling a better understanding of the patients’ journey, the way they understand and interpret their experiences, and ideas for service refinement. Telemedicine reduces traveling and enables safe distancing, factors that are much needed during pandemics.

Where Are We With Teledermatology? Two Years in the Wake of COVID-19

“…First, we should recognize the potential need to pivot rapidly from physical to virtual consultation due to pandemics, natural disasters, armed conflicts, or other mass casualty events. Second, the inclusion of teledermatology during peacetime provides an additional service option that increases patient satisfaction especially if it is seamless, secure, and easy to use [ 5 ]. It also offers a glimpse into the possible futures of health care delivery such as in the metaverse.…”

“…For example, teledermatology was more acceptable to patients with stable and mild diseases [ 1 , 7 ]. Other patient factors include younger age, higher perceived accuracy of teledermatology, and increased willingness to show sensitive body areas, which is correlated with increased security of teleconsult platforms [ 5 , 7 , 8 ]. Teledermatology may also help primary care physicians triage patients, expedite and facilitate timely referrals, and has also been shown to reduce face-to-face specialist appointments leading to cost-effective dermatological care [ 5 , 9 , 10 ].…”

Applications and Challenges of Telemedicine: Privacy-Preservation as a Case Study

“…5 Research in the field of telemedicine is extensive. Some have discussed the use of telemedicine for different issues such as COVID-19, 6 Diabetes, 7 Ophthalmology, 8 Mental health, 9 Heart, 10,11 Pregnancy, 12 Nursing, 13 Respiratory, 14 Cancer, 15 Dermatology, 16 Dentistry 17 and Insomnia. 18 Several papers have explained the benefits of telemedicine; for example, quick access to medical care especially in remote areas, 2 reducing the cost of multiple visits to the doctor, 19,20 and prolonged hospitalizations.…”