COVID-19: An opportunity to build dermatology's digital future

Teledermatology During COVID-19: An Updated Review

The coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic has fundamentally transformed the landscape of providing dermatologic care. In an age of lockdowns and social distancing, teledermatology (TD) has emerged as a powerful tool to deliver remote care. Here, we review literature on TD use during the pandemic to evaluate the positives and negatives of TD implementation. We especially consider the reception of TD in underserved communities and the developing world as well as the ethico-legal challenges wrought by the burgeoning utilization of this new paradigm of care. The potential of TD to occupy a more prominent role in dermatologic care in a post-COVID-19 world is also discussed.

Can teledermatology meet the needs of the remote and rural population?

BACKGROUND

Teledermatology has been in use as a supplemental tool in dermatology for many years. This study will focus on its use for dermatology patients with suspected skin cancer, in the remote and rural setting.

OBJECTIVES

Evaluation of the efficacy and accuracy of skin cancer detection using teledermatology.

METHODS

Literature review from last inclusion date of The Cochrane review of 2016 to August 2020. Due to high heterogeneity, resulting data were synthesised narratively.

RESULTS

All 6 studies agreed that 'high-quality' and dermoscopy images improve accuracy of diagnosis. All 6 studies showed its potential usage as 1) supplemental to face-to-face, 2) triage, or 3) a way of providing a specialist service where none is available. None considered it an adequate replacement for a traditional clinic setting.

CONCLUSION

Teledermatology has enormous potential but more robust evidence is required.