We have previously shown (IIR 95-045) that teledermatology, using store and forward technology, can result in reliable and accurate diagnostic outcomes when compared to clinic-based dermatology consultations. This investigation builds on that fundamental diagnostic information by assessing the health services implications of a teledermatology consult system.

Background:

We have previously shown (IIR 95-045) that teledermatology, using store and forward technology, can result in reliable and accurate diagnostic outcomes when compared to clinic-based dermatology consultations. This investigation builds on that fundamental diagnostic information by assessing the health services implications of a teledermatology consult system.

Objectives:

To investigate health services outcomes related to teledermatology implementation. Outcomes of interest were time to diagnosis and treatment initiation, the proportion of patients that avoided the need for a clinic-based encounter, and an economic analysis.

Methods:

Patients referred from the primary care clinics to the dermatology consult service were randomized to either usual care or a teledermatology consultation. A usual care consultation consisted a conventional text-based electronic consult request. A teledermatology consultation included digital images and a standardized history, in addition to the electronic text-based consult. Consultant dermatologists, reviewing the consult requests for both modalities, decided when, and if, a referral required a clinic-based evaluation.

Status:

Final report has been prepared and is in the review process at this time.

• Whited JD. Teledermatology. Current status and future directions. Am J Clin Dermatol. 2001;2(2):59-64. Review.
• Whited JD, Hall RP, Foy ME, Marbrey LE, Grambow SC, Dudley TK, Datta S, Simel DL, Oddone EZ. Teledermatology's impact on time to intervention among referrals to a dermatology consult service. Telemed J E Health. 2002 Fall;8(3):313-21.
• Whited JD, Datta S, Hall RP, Foy ME, Marbrey LE, Grambow SC, Dudley TK, Simel DL, Oddone EZ. An economic analysis of a store and forward teledermatology consult system. Telemed J E Health. 2003 Winter;9(4):351-60.
• Whited JD. Teledermatology research review. Int J Dermatol. 2006 Mar;45(3):220-9. Review.
• Whited JD, Hall RP, Foy ME, Marbrey LE, Grambow SC, Dudley TK, Datta SK, Simel DL, Oddone EZ. Patient and clinician satisfaction with a store-and-forward teledermatology consult system. Telemed J E Health. 2004 Winter;10(4):422-31.
• Whited JD. The quality of telemedicine research. J Telemed Telecare. 2006;12(6):271-3. No abstract available.

Inclusion Criteria:

Patients referred to Dermatology Consult Service.

Exclusion Criteria: