Maturity of teledermatology evaluation research: a systematic literature review

Teledermatology: an evidence map of systematic reviews

BACKGROUND

Although the number of teledermatology studies is increasing, not all variables have been researched in equal depth, so there remains a lack of robust evidence for some teledermatology initiatives. This review describes the landscape of teledermatology research and identifies knowledge gaps and research needs. This evidence map can be used to inform clinicians about the current knowledge about teledermatology and guide researchers for future studies.

METHODS

Our evidence map was conducted according to the Campbell Collaboration checklist for evidence and gap maps. Eight databases were searched (CINAHL, Embase, PubMed, Scopus, Web of Science, Cochrane Library, JBI Database of Systematic Reviews and Implementation Reports, and OpenGray), and only included systematic reviews of teledermatology involving humans published in English; while excluding non-systematic reviews (i.e., abstracts, conference proceedings, editorials, commentaries, or letters). From 909 records, 14 systematic reviews published between 2004 and 2022 were included. Our analysis focused on the systematic reviews' characteristics, dermatological conditions studied, rate of overlap and quality assessment of primary studies reviewed, and main findings reported.

RESULTS

Teledermatology was reportedly comparable with clinic dermatology and generally accepted by patients as a mode of care delivery for dermatological conditions. However, there are concerns about privacy, communication, completeness of information transmitted, familiarity with the technology, and technical problems. Healthcare professionals were generally satisfied with teledermatology but found telemedicine consultations longer than face-to-face consultations, and less confident in asynchronous teledermatology than conventional consultations. Teledermatology was reportedly more cost-effective than clinic dermatology; especially considering the distance traveled by patients, referral volume to teledermatology, and clinic dermatology costs. Although patients and providers are satisfied with teledermatology, face-to-face dermatology has higher diagnostic and management accuracy. Teledermatology was also used for training medical professionals. Regarding the validity and reliability of teledermatology outcome measures, no significant discussions were found.

CONCLUSIONS

COVID-19 spotlighted telemedicine in clinical care, and we must ensure telemedicine continually improves with robust research. Further research is necessary for establishing a standardized outcome set, enhancing accuracy, concordance, cost-effectiveness, and safety, comparing teledermatology with non-dermatologist care, examining its effectiveness in non-Western low and middle-income countries, and incorporating patient involvement for improved study design.

SYSTEMATIC REVIEW REGISTRATION

https://www.researchregistry.com/ (Unique Identifying Number: reviewregistry878).

Effects of online care on functional and psychological outcomes in patients with psoriasis: A randomized controlled trial

BACKGROUND

The impact of online care on patients' functional and psychological outcomes is critical to determine yet still unknown.

OBJECTIVE

To evaluate how a novel online health model that facilitates physician-patient collaboration compares with in-person care for improving functional status and mental health of patients with psoriasis.

METHODS

This 12-month randomized controlled equivalency trial randomly assigned patients with psoriasis 1:1 to receive online or in-person care. Functional impairment and depression were assessed at baseline and at 3-month intervals using the 5-level EuroQol-5 Dimensions index and Patient Health Questionnare-9.

RESULTS

Overall, 296 patients were randomly assigned to the online or in-person groups. The between-group difference in overall improvement in the EuroQol Visual Analogue Scale was -0.002 (95% confidence interval, -2.749 to 2.745), falling within an equivalence margin of ±8. The between-group difference in overall improvement in the 5-level EuroQol-5 Dimensions index was 0 (95% confidence interval, -0.003 to 0.003), falling within an equivalence margin of ±0.1. The between-group difference in overall improvement in Patient Health Questionnare-9 score was -0.33 (95% CI, -1.20 to 0.55), falling within an equivalence margin of ±3.

LIMITATIONS

Slightly different attrition rates between online and in-person arms (11% vs 9%), but no impact on outcomes.

CONCLUSION

The online health model was equivalent to in-person care for reducing functional impairment and depressive symptoms in patients with psoriasis.

Assessing the compliance of systematic review articles published in leading dermatology journals with the PRISMA statement guidelines: A systematic review

Background

Reporting quality of systematic reviews and meta-analyses is of critical importance in dermatology because of their key role in informing health care decisions.

Objective

To assess the compliance of systematic reviews and meta-analyses in leading dermatology journals with the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-analyses (PRISMA) statement guidelines.

Methods

This review was carried out in accordance with PRISMA guidelines. Included studies were reviews published across 6 years in the top 4 highest-impact-factor dermatology journals of 2017. Records and full texts were screened independently. Data analysis was conducted with univariate multivariable linear regression. The primary outcome was to assess the compliance of systematic reviews and meta-analyses in leading dermatology journals with the PRISMA statement.

Results

A total of 166 studies were included and mean PRISMA compliance across all articles was 73%. Compliance significantly improved over time (β = .016; P = <.001). The worst reported checklist item was item 5 (reporting on protocol existence), with a compliance of 15% of articles.

Conclusion

PRISMA compliance within leading dermatology journals could be improved; however, it is steadily improving.

Teledermatology Addressing Disparities in Health Care Access: a Review

Purpose of Review

Dermatologists have been at the forefront of researching telemedicine to expand access to care. The current COVID-19 pandemic has prompted even greater expansion and implementation of teledermatology. This review discusses the research examining the potential impact of teledermatology addressing disparities in care.

Recent Findings

Teledermatology appears to increase access to dermatology given expanded means to deliver care. Specifically, recent studies have found increased access among Medicaid-insured, resource-poor urban and rural, and elderly populations. Teledermatology implementation also facilitates education among providers at different levels of training. Still, as some patients have inconsistent access to the required technology, increased reliance on telemedicine may also potentially increase disparities for some populations.

Summary

Teledermatology may serve to reduce disparities in health care access in many underserved and marginalized communities. Future research should continue to study implementation, especially given the expansion during the COVID-19 pandemic. Ultimately, teledermatology may play an important role in ensuring equitable care access for all.

Access to Dermatological Care with an Innovative Online Model for Psoriasis Management: Results from a Randomized Controlled Trial

Background:Many patients with chronic skin diseases lack regular access to dermatologists in the United States and suffer poor clinical outcomes.Introduction:We performed a 12-month randomized controlled trial to evaluate the impact of an online, collaborative connected health (CCH) model for psoriasis management on access to specialty care.Materials and Methods:The 300 enrolled patients were randomized to online or in-person care. We compared distance traveled as well as transportation and in-office waiting time between the two groups and obtained patient and provider perspectives on CCH.Results:At baseline, no differences existed between the groups in difficulties obtaining specialty care. Over 12 months, the mean (standard deviation [SD]) distance traveled to and from appointments was 174.8 (±577.4) km/person for the in-person group and 2.2 (±14.2) km/person for the online group (p = 0.0003). The mean (SD) time spent on transportation and in-office waiting for in-person appointments was 4.0 (±4.5) h/person for the in-person group and 0.1 (±0.4) h/person for the online group (p = 0.0001). Patients found CCH to be safe, accessible, equitable, efficient, effective, and patient-centered. Providers found CCH to be useful for providing psoriasis care.Discussion:The CCH model resulted in significantly less distance traveled as well as transportation and in-office waiting time compared to in-person care. Both patients and providers were highly satisfied with CCH.Conclusions:The CCH model resulted in increased access to specialty care and enabled patient-centered, safe, and effective management of psoriasis patients.

A smartphone-based teleconsultation system for the management of chronic pressure injuries

We investigated the accuracy of pressure injury evaluation using tele-devices and examined the concordance between automatically generated recommendations and primary manual recommendations. Caregivers took photos and videos of pressure injuries using smartphones with built-in cameras and uploaded the media to the application. The wound team evaluated the wound using a specially modified version of the Pressure Sore Status Tool. This was compared with the Pressure Sore Status Tool score assessed during the actual examination of the patient. We developed an automatic algorithm for dressing based on the Pressure Sore Status Tool score, checking for consistency between this and the primary manual recommendation. A total of 60 patients diagnosed with pressure injuries were included. The κ coefficients indicated substantial agreement for wound size and total score, and excellent for all other items. We found that the overall concordance rates were statistically significant for all items (p < 0.001). For the primary dressing, the κ coefficient for the concordance rate of automatic algorithm and manual recommendation was 0.771, while that of teleconsultation system and manual recommendation was 0.971. For the secondary dressing, the figures were 0.798 and 0.989, respectively. All values were statistically significant (p < 0.001). We presented strong evidence documenting the utilization of a smartphone, patient-driven system, and demonstrated that the measurements obtained were comparable to the ones obtained by a trained, on-site, wound team. Furthermore, we confirmed agreement between automatically generated recommendations and primary manual recommendations.

Online Care Versus In-Person Care for Improving Quality of Life in Psoriasis: A Randomized Controlled Equivalency Trial

This 12-month, pragmatic, randomized controlled equivalency trial evaluated whether an online, collaborative connected-health model results in equivalent improvements in quality of life compared with in-person care for psoriasis. Overall, 296 adults with physician-diagnosed psoriasis from ambulatory clinics were randomly assigned to either online or in-person care; all were analyzed for outcomes. In the online group, patients and primary care providers sought dermatologists' care directly and asynchronously online. The in-person group sought care face to face. Interventions did not allow blinding of participants; investigators were blinded during analysis. Across 12 months, for the online group, the mean ± standard deviation decline in Skindex-16 from baseline across follow-up visits was 9.02 ± 20.67 compared with 10.55 ± 23.50 for the in-person group. The difference in Skindex-16 between the two groups was -0.83 (95% confidence interval = -5.18 to 3.51), and this was within the equivalence margin (±7.0). For the online group, the mean ± standard deviation decline in Dermatology Life Quality Index was 1.64 ± 4.34 compared with 1.18 ± 4.77 for the in-person group. The difference in Dermatology Life Quality Index between the two groups was -0.45 (95% confidence interval = -1.29 to 0.38) and was within the equivalence margin (±2.5). In conclusion, the online model was as effective as in-person care in improving quality of life among psoriasis patients. This study was funded by the Patient-Centered Outcomes Research Institute and is registered on clinicaltrials.gov (NCT02358135).

Effectiveness of Online vs In-Person Care for Adults With Psoriasis: A Randomized Clinical Trial

IMPORTANCE

Innovative, online models of specialty-care delivery are critical to improving patient access and outcomes.

OBJECTIVE

To determine whether an online, collaborative connected-health model results in equivalent clinical improvements in psoriasis compared with in-person care.

DESIGN, SETTING, AND PARTICIPANTS

The Patient-Centered Outcomes Research Institute Psoriasis Teledermatology Trial is a 12-month, pragmatic, randomized clinical equivalency trial to evaluate the effect of an online model for psoriasis compared with in-person care. Participant recruitment and study visits took place at multicenter ambulatory clinics from February 2, 2015, to August 18, 2017. Participants were adults with psoriasis in Northern California, Southern California, and Colorado. The eligibility criteria were an age of 18 years or older, having physician-diagnosed psoriasis, access to the internet and a digital camera or mobile phone with a camera, and having a primary care physician. Analyses were on an intention-to-treat basis.

INTERVENTIONS

Participants were randomized 1:1 to receive online or in-person care (148 randomized to online care and 148 randomized to in-person care). The online model enabled patients and primary care physicians to access dermatologists online asynchronously. The dermatologists provided assessments, recommendations, education, and prescriptions online. The in-person group sought care in person. The frequency of online or in-person visits was determined by medical necessity. All participants were exposed to their respective interventions for 12 months.

MAIN OUTCOMES AND MEASURES

The prespecified primary outcome was the difference in improvement in the self-administered Psoriasis Area and Severity Index (PASI) score between the online and in-person groups. Prespecified secondary outcomes included body surface area (BSA) affected by psoriasis and the patient global assessment score.

RESULTS

Of the 296 randomized participants, 147 were women, 149 were men, 187 were white, and the mean (SD) age was 49 (14) years. The adjusted difference between the online and in-person groups in the mean change in the self-administered PASI score during the 12-month study period was -0.27 (95% CI, -0.85 to 0.31). The difference in the mean change in BSA affected by psoriasis between the 2 groups was -0.05% (95% CI, -1.58% to 1.48%). Between-group differences in the PASI score and BSA were within prespecified equivalence margins, which demonstrated equivalence between the 2 interventions. The difference in the mean change in the patient global assessment score between the 2 groups was -0.11 (95% CI, -0.32 to 0.10), which exceeded the equivalence margin, with the online group displaying greater improvement.

CONCLUSIONS AND RELEVANCE

The online, collaborative connected-health model was as effective as in-person management in improving clinical outcomes among patients with psoriasis. Innovative telehealth delivery models that emphasize collaboration, quality, and efficiency can be transformative to improving patient-centered outcomes in chronic diseases.

TRIAL REGISTRATION

ClinicalTrials.gov Identifier: NCT02358135.

Willingness to Pay for Teledermoscopy Services at a University Health Center

Background

The study objective was to investigate the willingness to pay (WTP) for teledermoscopy services among students at a university health center. The hypothesis was that WTP for teledermoscopy among students would exceed the costs for traditional consultation.

Methods

Between November 2013 and May 2014, students at a university health center were surveyed for their perceptions of teledermoscopy. One set of responses was collected from students visiting the health center for any reason (anonymous sample). An additional set of responses was collected from students visiting for dermatologic lesions (in-person sample). A contingent valuation method with a maximum likelihood estimation procedure was used to estimate the WTP distribution.

Results

A total of 214 surveys were collected for the anonymous sample and 41 responses for the in-person sample. The mean (standard deviation [SD]) WTP for the anonymous sample was $55.27 ($39.11; 95% confidence interval [CI]: $49.99-$60.55). The mean (SD) WTP for the in-person sample was $52.37 ($26.56; 95% CI: $43.99-$60.75). Median WTP for the 2 samples was similar: $48.84 and $48.01.

Conclusions

We conclude that students would be willing to pay for teledermoscopy services that would provide the potential for significant system cost savings. This may be especially true in college health or similar settings where dermatology services may not be available.

Patient and Provider Satisfaction with Teledermatology

BACKGROUND

There is little research comparing dermatologist and patient satisfaction with in-person, store-and-forward, and live interactive examinations.

OBJECTIVE

To compare satisfaction with in-person examinations to store-and-forward and live interactive consultations having two types of video.

METHODS

A controlled study was conducted where patients referred for dermatology consultations were examined in-person, by video, and by store-and-forward methods. Video changed between compressed and uncompressed on alternate clinics. Patients and dermatologists rated encounters after each examination. Dermatologists doing store-and-forward evaluations rated the quality of information provided. After experiencing all methods patients ranked their preferences. Dermatologists ranked their preferences at the end of the study.

RESULTS

In-person examinations were preferred by both patients and dermatologists. Overall, satisfaction with teledermatology was still high. Patients were evenly divided in preferring store-and-forward workups or live interactive video. Dermatologists were also divided on store-and-forward and uncompressed video, but tended toward the latter. Compressed video was the least preferred method among dermatologists.

LIMITATIONS

Dermatology residents took store-and-forward photos and their quality was likely superior to those normally taken in practice.

CONCLUSIONS

Patients and dermatologists prefer in-person examinations and diverge on preferring store-and-forward and live interactive when video is not compressed. The amount of video compression that can be applied without noticeable image degradation is a question for future research.

Direct-Access Online Care for the Management of Atopic Dermatitis: A Randomized Clinical Trial Examining Patient Quality of Life

BACKGROUND

Atopic dermatitis (AD) is a chronic disease requiring regular follow-up. To increase access to dermatological care, online management of AD is being studied. However, a critical knowledge gap exists in determining AD patients' quality of life in direct-to-patient online models. In this study, we examined quality of life in AD patients managed through a direct-access online model.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

We randomized 156 patients to receiving care through a direct-access online platform or in person. Patients were seen for six visits over 12 months. At each visit, the patients completed Dermatology Life Quality Index/Children's Dermatology Life Quality Index (DLQI/CDLQI), and Short Form (SF-12).

RESULTS

Between baseline and 12 months, the mean (standard deviation, SD) within-group difference in DLQI score in the online group was 4.1 (±2.3); for the in-person group, the within-group difference was 4.8 (±2.7). The mean (SD) within-group difference in CDLQI score in the online group was 4.7 (±2.8); for the in-person group, the within-group difference was 4.9 (±3.1). The mean (SD) within-group difference in physical component score (PCS) and mental component score (MCS) SF-12 scores in the online group was 6.5 (±3.8) and 8.6 (±4.3); for the in-person group, it was 6.8 (±3.2) and 9.1(±3.8), respectively. The difference in the change in DLQI, CDLQI, SF-12 PCS, and SF-12 MCS scores between the two groups was 0.72 (95% confidence interval [90% CI], -0.97 to 2.41), 0.23 (90% CI, -2.21 to 2.67), 0.34 (90% CI, -1.16 to 1.84), and 0.51 (90% CI, -1.11 to 2.13), respectively. All differences were contained within their equivalence margins.

CONCLUSION

Adult and pediatric AD patients receiving direct-access online care had equivalent quality of life outcomes as those see in person. The direct-access online model has the potential to increase access to care for patients with chronic skin diseases.

Mobile teledermatology for skin cancer screening: A diagnostic accuracy study

Skin cancer screening has undoubted potential to reduce cancer-specific morbidity and mortality. Total-body exams remain the prevailing concept of skin cancer screening even if effectiveness and value of this method are controversial. Meanwhile, store and forward teledermatology was shown to be a reliable instrument for several diagnostic purposes mostly in specialized dermatology settings. The objective of this study was to evaluate most convenient mobile teledermatology interventions as instruments for skin cancer screening in a representative population.Prospective diagnostic study with visitors of a skin cancer screening campaign in Switzerland. Histopathology was used as reference standard. Mobile teledermatology with or without dermoscopic images was assessed for performance as a screening test (i.e., rule-in or rule-out the need for further testing). Outcomes were sensitivity, specificity, and predictive values.Seven cases of skin cancer were present among 195 skin lesions. All skin cancers were ruled-in by teledermatology with or without dermoscopic images (sensitivity and negative predictive value 100%). The addition of dermoscopic images to conventional images resulted in higher specificity (85% vs. 77%), allowing reduction of unnecessary further testing in a larger proportion of skin lesions.Store and forward mobile teledermatology could serve as an instrument for population-based skin cancer screening because of favorable test performance.

Comparing High Definition Live Interactive and Store-and-Forward Consultations to In-Person Examinations

BACKGROUND

There is little teledermatology research directly comparing remote methods, even less research with two in-person dermatologist agreement providing a baseline for comparing remote methods, and no research using high definition video as a live interactive method.

OBJECTIVE

To compare in-person consultations with store-and-forward and live interactive methods, the latter having two levels of image quality.

METHODS

A controlled study was conducted where patients were examined in-person, by high definition video, and by store-and-forward methods. The order patients experienced methods and residents assigned methods rotated, although an attending always saw patients in-person. The type of high definition video employed, lower resolution compressed or higher resolution uncompressed, was alternated between clinics. Primary and differential diagnoses, biopsy recommendations, and diagnostic and biopsy confidence ratings were recorded.

RESULTS

Concordance and confidence were significantly better for in-person versus remote methods and biopsy recommendations were lower. Store-and-forward and higher resolution uncompressed video results were similar and better than those for lower resolution compressed video.

LIMITATIONS

Dermatology residents took store-and-forward photos and their quality was likely superior to those normally taken in practice. There were variations in expertise between the attending and second and third year residents.

CONCLUSION

The superiority of in-person consultations suggests the tendencies to order more biopsies or still see patients in-person are often justified in teledermatology and that high resolution uncompressed video can close the resolution gap between store-and-forward and live interactive methods.

A systematic review of the methodologies used to evaluate telemedicine service initiatives in hospital facilities

BACKGROUND

The adoption of telemedicine into mainstream health services has been slower than expected. Many telemedicine projects tend not to progress beyond the trial phase; there are a large number of pilot or project publications and fewer 'service' publications. This issue has been noted since 1999 and continues to be acknowledged in the literature. While overall telemedicine uptake has been slow, some services have been successful. The reporting and evaluation of these successful services may help to improve future uptake and sustainability. The aim of this literature review was to identify peer-reviewed publications of deployed telemedicine services in hospital facilities; and to report, and appraise, the methodology used to evaluate these services.

METHODS

Computerised literature searches of bibliographic databases were performed using the MeSH terms for "Telemedicine" and "Hospital Services" or "Hospital", for papers published up to May 2016.

RESULTS

A total of 164 papers were identified, representing 137 telemedicine services. The majority of reported telemedicine services were based in the United States of America (n=61, 44.5%). Almost two thirds of the services (n=86, 62.7%) were delivered by real time telemedicine. Of the reviewed studies, almost half (n=81, 49.3%) assessed their services from three different evaluation perspectives: clinical outcomes, economics and satisfaction. While the remaining half (n=83, 50.6%) described their service and its activities without reporting any evaluation measures. Only 30 (18.2%) studies indicated a two-step implementation and evaluation process. There was limited information in all reported studies regarding description of a structured planning strategy.

CONCLUSION

Our systematic review identified only 137 telemedicine services. This suggests either telemedicine service implementation is still not a part of mainstream clinical services, or it is not being reported in the peer-reviewed literature. The depth and the quality of information were variable across studies, reducing the generalisability. The reporting of service implementation and planning strategies should be encouraged. Given the fast paced technology driven environment of telemedicine, this may enable others to learn and understand how to implement sustainable services. The key component of planning was underreported in these studies. Studies applying and reporting more rigorous methodology would contribute greatly to the evidence for telemedicine.

Opportunity cost of the dermatologist's consulting time in the economic evaluation of teledermatology

Introduction This study, through a systematic review and meta-analysis, has sought to demonstrate that the opportunity cost is a value to take into account in studies of economic cost in telemedicine, illustrated through the time of the dermatologist's consultation in teledermatology and traditional consultation. Methods Economic evaluation studies have been identified that compare teledermatology and traditional dermatological consultation during the period 1998-2015. We carried out a meta-analysis considering the work cost and the dermatologist's consultation time, analysing their differences. The opportunity cost represented by these differences in the dermatological remote consultation time was subsequently calculated based on the design of a cost/time variable. Results It was not possible to meta-analyse the cost of the dermatologist's consultation due to insufficient standardized complete data. It was possible to carry out a meta-analysis of the consultation time, and three articles were selected (2945 patients). Teledermatology accounts for more time (7.54 min) than conventional consultation ( p < 0.00001) and this difference is an opportunity cost of teledermatology of €29.25 per each remote consultation, with a unitary factor cost/time of 3.88€/minute. Conclusions There is no unanimity in the literature regarding which of the two procedures is cheaper; further studies with the necessary standardized variables are required. In this meta-analysis, teledermatology takes more time than a conventional dermatology consultation, which leads to an opportunity cost, increasing the total cost of consultation. The opportunity cost is a value that should be included in an analysis of economic costs, in the context of an economic assessment, when we evaluate a health activity.

Electronic consultation systems: worldwide prevalence and their impact on patient care-a systematic review

BACKGROUND

Many health organizations are exploring the potential of electronic consultation (eConsult) services to address excessive wait times for specialist care.

OBJECTIVE

To understand the effectiveness, population impact and costs associated with implementation of eConsult services.

METHODS

We conducted a systematic review using a narrative synthesis approach. We searched Medline and Embase from inception to August 2014 (English/French). Included studies focused on communication between primary care providers and specialist physicians through an asynchronous, directed communication over a secure electronic medium. We assessed study quality with a modified version of the Effective Public Health Practice Project Quality Assessment Tool for Quantitative Studies. We synthesized the results using the Triple Aim framework.

RESULTS

A total of 36 studies were included. Most were set in the USA and focused on single-specialty services (most commonly dermatology). Population health outcomes included patient populations, adoption/utilization and provider attitudes. Providers cited timely advice from specialists, good medical care, confirmation of diagnoses and educational benefits. No clinical outcomes were reported. Patient experience of care was generally positive, with quick specialist response times (4.6 hours to 3.9 days), avoided referrals (12-84%) and satisfaction ranging from 78% to 93%. System costs were reported in only seven studies using different outcome measures and settings, limiting comparability.

CONCLUSION

Though eConsult systems are highly acceptable for patients and providers and deliver improved access to specialist advice, gaps remain regarding eConsult's impact on population health and system costs. To achieve optimized health system performance, eConsult services must include specialty services as determined by community needs and further explore cost-effectiveness.

Store-and-forward teledermatology: a case report

BACKGROUND

Telemedicine is increasingly being used as part of routine practice for many physicians and healthcare providers across the country. Due to its visual nature, dermatology is ideally suited to benefit from this new technology. The use of teledermatology (telemedicine in dermatology) in a primary care setting allows for an expert opinion without the need for an in-person referral. Furthermore, it can improve patient access in remote areas. Store-and-forward teledermatology is the most commonly employed method.

CASE PRESENTATION

This case describes a Caucasian male in his fifties with no fixed address or telephone number who presented to his family doctor with an enlarging nevus on his chest, and required a dermatology referral. Given these limitations, a traditional fax and phone referral would not be possible. Instead store-and-forward teledermatology was employed. It was then determined by the dermatologist that the nevus was benign and did not require treatment.

CONCLUSION

This case demonstrates the utility of store-and-forward teledermatology in what is unfortunately not an uncommon scenario in Canada. The patient was successfully managed, and a logistically difficult and expensive in-person referral was avoided.

Pediatric teledermatology consultations: relationship between provided data and diagnosis

There is a shortage of pediatric dermatologists. Teledermatology has emerged as a tool to facilitate access to dermatologists. Many questions remain regarding how to optimize consultations in order to provide the best diagnosis and management recommendations. The aim of this retrospective cohort study was to categorize the historical data and judge the adequacy of photographs sent by referring providers to our academic pediatric teledermatology practice at the University of California, San Francisco, and to evaluate the relationship of these data to our ability to render a diagnosis. A diagnosis was rendered in 75% of cases. The only historical data associated with receiving a diagnosis was prior treatment (OR 2.01, CI 1.01, 4, p < 0.05). Appropriate image distance from the target was associated with receiving a diagnosis for rashes (OR 2.69, CI 1.07, 6.8, p = 0.04) and growths (OR 4.16, CI 1.04, 16.6, p = 0.04). A lack of diagnosis was significantly associated with a recommendation for referral for biopsy (OR 0.03, CI 0.01, 0.10, p < 0.0001) or for in-person consultation (OR 0.19, CI 0.05, 0.66, p < 0.001). In conclusion, pediatric teledermatologists are able to make a diagnosis most of the time, regardless of historical information provided or image quality. The rate of diagnosis may be improved with the use of standardized templates for historical information. Similarly, photography training could minimize the need for in-person consultation. Specific information regarding prior treatments could also help in providing useful management recommendations.

Use of health information technology to reduce diagnostic errors

BACKGROUND

Health information technology (HIT) systems have the potential to reduce delayed, missed or incorrect diagnoses. We describe and classify the current state of diagnostic HIT and identify future research directions.

METHODS

A multi-pronged literature search was conducted using PubMed, Web of Science, backwards and forwards reference searches and contributions from domain experts. We included HIT systems evaluated in clinical and experimental settings as well as previous reviews, and excluded radiology computer-aided diagnosis, monitor alerts and alarms, and studies focused on disease staging and prognosis. Articles were organised within a conceptual framework of the diagnostic process and areas requiring further investigation were identified.

RESULTS

HIT approaches, tools and algorithms were identified and organised into 10 categories related to those assisting: (1) information gathering; (2) information organisation and display; (3) differential diagnosis generation; (4) weighing of diagnoses; (5) generation of diagnostic plan; (6) access to diagnostic reference information; (7) facilitating follow-up; (8) screening for early detection in asymptomatic patients; (9) collaborative diagnosis; and (10) facilitating diagnostic feedback to clinicians. We found many studies characterising potential interventions, but relatively few evaluating the interventions in actual clinical settings and even fewer demonstrating clinical impact.

CONCLUSIONS

Diagnostic HIT research is still in its early stages with few demonstrations of measurable clinical impact. Future efforts need to focus on: (1) improving methods and criteria for measurement of the diagnostic process using electronic data; (2) better usability and interfaces in electronic health records; (3) more meaningful incorporation of evidence-based diagnostic protocols within clinical workflows; and (4) systematic feedback of diagnostic performance.

Three principles for determining the relevancy of store-and-forward and live interactive telemedicine: reinterpreting two telemedicine research reviews and other research

The Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality sponsored two telemedicine research reviews. The latest review concluded that telemedicine is most relevant to specialties, such as psychiatry and neurology, where high levels of patient interaction are crucial to assessment. Telemedicine research studies cited in the reviews having positive findings in the specialties of ophthalmology, otolaryngology, obstetrics and gynecology, gastroenterology, and cardiology and more recent research in these areas are reviewed to identify criteria other than degree of interaction for determining the appropriateness of telemedicine interventions. These criteria include congruity or the extent that procedures used in telemedicine are similar to those of in-person examination, fidelity or the degree to which the information used for assessment in remote examinations is of similar quality to that used in-person, and reliability or the consistency with which information can be gathered and transmitted.

Trends in telemedicine assessment indicate neglect of key criteria for predicting success

PURPOSE

This innovative analysis aims to quantify the use of evaluation criteria in telemedicine and to identify current trends in metric adoption. The focus is to determine the frequency of actual performance metric reporting in telemedicine evaluation, in contrast to systematic reviews where assessment of study quality is the goal.

DESIGN/METHODOLOGY/APPROACH

Automated literature search identified telemedicine studies reporting quantitative performance metrics. Studies were classified by telemedicine class; store-and-forward (SAF), real-time consultation (RTC) and telecare (TC), and study stage. Studies were scanned for evaluation metric reporting, i.e. clinical outcomes, satisfaction, patient quality and cost measures.

FINDINGS

Evaluation metric use was compared among telemedicine classes, and between pilot and routine use stages. Diagnostic accuracy was reported significantly more frequently in pilots for RTC and TC. Cost measures were more frequently reported in routine use for TC. Clinical effectiveness and hospital attendance were better reported in routine use for SAF. Comparison also revealed different evaluation strategies. In pilots, SAF favoured diagnostic accuracy, compared to RTC and TC. TC preferred clinical effectiveness evaluations and TC more frequently assessed patient satisfaction. Cost was only reported in less than 20 per cent of studies, but most frequently in RTC. Routine use led to increased reporting of all metrics, except diagnostic accuracy. Clinical effectiveness reporting increased significantly with routine use for RTC and SAF, but declined for TC.

ORIGINALITY/VALUE

Clinical outcomes and patient satisfaction were reported frequently in telemedicine studies, but reporting of other performance metrics was rare. Understanding current trends in metric reporting will facilitate better design of future telemedicine evaluations.

Teledermatology applied following patient selection by general practitioners in daily practice improves efficiency and quality of care at lower cost

BACKGROUND

Teledermatology, the application of telemedicine in the field of dermatology, has similar accuracy and reliability as physical dermatology. Teledermatology has been widely used in daily practice in the Netherlands since 2005 and is fully reimbursed.

OBJECTIVES

This study prospectively investigated the effect of teledermatology on efficiency, quality and costs of care when integrated in daily practice and applied following patient selection by the general practitioner (GP).

METHODS

Teledermatology consultations between GP and regional dermatologist were performed in daily GP practice in the Netherlands. Efficiency of care was measured by the decrease in the number of physical referrals to the dermatologist. Quality of care was measured by the percentage of teleconsultations for second opinion, physical referrals resulting from these teleconsultations, the response time of the dermatologists and educational effect experienced by the GP. Costs of conventional healthcare without teledermatology were compared with costs with teledermatology.

RESULTS

One thousand, eight hundred and twenty GPs and 166 dermatologists performed teledermatology, and 37,207 teleconsultations performed from March 2007 to September 2010 were included. In the group of patients where the GP used teleconsultation to prevent a referral (n =26,596), 74% of physical referrals were prevented. In the group of patients where the GP used teleconsultation for a second opinion (n =10,611), 16% were physically referred after teleconsultation. The prevented referral rate in the total population was 68%. The mean response time of dermatologists was 4·6 h (median 2·0). GPs indicated that there was a beneficial educational effect in 85% of the teleconsultations. The estimated cost reduction was 18%.

CONCLUSIONS

Teledermatology can lead to efficient care probably at lower cost. We are therefore of the opinion that teledermatology following GP selection should be considered as a possible pathway of referral to secondary care.

Practice models and challenges in teledermatology: a study of collective experiences from teledermatologists

BACKGROUND

Despite increasing practice of teledermatology in the U.S., teledermatology practice models and real-world challenges are rarely studied.

METHODS

The primary objective was to examine teledermatology practice models and shared challenges among teledermatologists in California, focusing on practice operations, reimbursement considerations, barriers to sustainability, and incentives. We conducted in-depth interviews with teledermatologists that practiced store-and-forward or live-interactive teledermatology from January 1, 2007 through March 30, 2011 in California.

RESULTS

Seventeen teledermatologists from academia, private practice, health maintenance organizations, and county settings participated in the study. Among them, 76% practiced store-and-forward only, 6% practiced live-interactive only, and 18% practiced both modalities. Only 29% received structured training in teledermatology. The average number of years practicing teledermatology was 4.29 years (SD±2.81). Approximately 47% of teledermatologists served at least one Federally Qualified Health Center. Over 75% of patients seen via teledermatology were at or below 200% federal poverty level and usually lived in rural regions without dermatologist access. Practice challenges were identified in the following areas. Teledermatologists faced delays in reimbursements and non-reimbursement of teledermatology services. The primary reason for operational inefficiency was poor image quality and/or inadequate history. Costly and inefficient software platforms and lack of communication with referring providers also presented barriers.

CONCLUSION

Teledermatology enables underserved populations to access specialty care. Improvements in reimbursement mechanisms, efficient technology platforms, communication with referring providers, and teledermatology training are necessary to support sustainable practices.

Teledermatology: its role in dermatosurgery

Dermatologic surgery and aesthetic dermatology are rapidly emerging and expanding specialties in India. However, dermatologists practicing surgeries and aesthetics in India represent a highly selected group and are mostly confined to metros. Dermatologists in the peripheral and remote regions need to reach these specialists for the benefit of their patients and teledermatology is an invaluable tool for this purpose. Video-conference, store and forward, Satellite communication, Hybrid teledermatology, mobile teledermatology, Integration model, nurse-led teledermatology, teledermatology focusing difficult-to-manage cases, screening and triage services are the various teledermatology services developed to suit the needs of dermatology care from a distance. Types of teledermatology service, pattern of net work connectivity and purpose of dermatology service are the three cardinal parameters for management of the dermatoses from a distance. This article reviews the literature, and analyzes the possible options available for a teledermatosurgery practice.

Teledermatology: a tool for remote supervision of a general practitioner with special interest in dermatology

BACKGROUND

Teledermatology (TD) has been developed as an alternative to face-to-face (FTF) dermatology care in remote areas.

AIM

To assess the feasibility of TD in remote supervision and education of a general practitioner with special interest (GPwSI), to reduce FTF consultations with the consultant dermatologist, and to provide appropriate diagnosis and care. Our secondary aim was to evaluate patient satisfaction with this mode of consultation.

METHODS

A TD service in Aberdeen was set up to augment supervision of a remote rural GP training in dermatology. This service was audited over a 2-year period to assess its usefulness in the education of the remote GP.

RESULTS

Prospective data on 230 selected referrals was analysed. Store-and-forward TD provided a high level of patient satisfaction, and was effective in remote supervision and education of a GPwSI in dermatology. FTF consultations with the consultant were avoided in 69% of consultations, and diagnostic agreement was considered high (61%). Educational feedback was given to the GP in 66% of consultations.

CONCLUSIONS

TD can supplement infrequent specialist dermatology service in remote areas, as in this case. We conclude that for selected patients, TD was a useful training tool for supervising the GPwSI, and ensuring clinical governance and quality assurance in clinics in a remote rural area. However, this model of care was limited by cost and the inherent limitations of TD.

Community photo-triage for skin cancer referrals: an aid to service delivery

BACKGROUND

We wished to investigate the potential for extending the capacity of the specialist service by using community-based photo-triage for suspected skin cancers.

AIMS

To compare the outcomes and costs of conventional and photo-triage referral pathways.

METHODS

This was an observational study of conventional and photo-triage referrals. Patients referred for initial photo-triage were invited to visit a medical photographer located in community health centres, who would take high-quality close-up and dermatoscopic images of the patients' lesions. A dermatologist then reviewed the images, and triaged patients to specific treatment clinics. All patients referred by conventional letter were offered initial appointments at the consultant-delivered skin cancer clinic. The difference in costs was assessed by modelling health service use under both pathways.

RESULTS

Photo-triage permitted 91% of patients (263/289) to achieve definitive care at first visit to the specialist team, compared with only 63% (117/186) via the conventional referral pathway. The mean waiting time to definitive treatment for patients with skin cancer was slightly reduced with photo-triage. Photo-triage permitted direct booking for 45% of patients to attend a nurse-delivered clinic, 22% to attend directly for surgery, 2% to attend a community general practice clinic and 2% to be referred on electronically to another specialty. This reduced by 72% the number of patients requiring attendance to the consultant clinic, freeing up capacity. Despite the cost of providing medical photography, there was a small cost saving of around £ 1.70 per patient using photo-triage.

CONCLUSIONS

Community photo-triage improved referral management of patients with suspected skin cancer, improving the delivery of definitive care at first visit and achieved an increased service capacity. Cost comparison found that the photo-triage model described was marginally cheaper than conventional care, and reduced hospital visits. An integrated primary-secondary care referral pathway that includes photo-triage facilitates a more efficient specialist service while ensuring that all suspicious lesions are viewed by an experienced dermatologist.

Innovation and evaluation: taming and unleashing telecare technology

Telecare is advocated in most European countries with great, if not grandiose, promises: improving healthcare, lowering costs, solving workforce shortage. This paper does not so much question these specific promises, but rather the 'register of promising' as such, by comparing the promises with actual processes of incorporating technologies in healthcare practices. The case we study is the use of webcams in follow-up care from a Dutch rehabilitation clinic for people with severe chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). This process shows many changes and contingencies, and corresponding shifts in goals and aims. The conclusion is that when innovative technologies such as telecare are actually put to work, 'the same' technology will perform differently. In order to function at all, technology has to be tamed, it has to be tinkered with to fit the practices of the users. The technology, however, is not meekly put to use (tamed), but is unleashed as well, affecting care practices in unforeseen ways. The untenability of pre-given promises and the fluidity of locally evolving goals has important implications for the way in which innovations are promoted, as well as for the way innovative technologies may be evaluated.

Teledermatology with an integrated nurse-led clinic on the Faroe Islands--7 years' experience

BACKGROUND

Telemedicine is an increasingly suggested answer to the problem of providing high-class medical service to rural and remote areas in a modern society. Dermatology is a promising candidate for telemedical service, because it is well suited for clinical questions forwarded together with photographs.

OBJECTIVES

To describe the patient population of the Faroe Islands dermatology clinic with respect to distribution of diagnoses, treatment, duration, response time and patient flow.

METHODS

Case notes were drawn from all dermatology consultations managed during 2003-2009 through the national teledermatology system. These were compared with case notes drawn from the same journal system from the regular outpatient clinic.

RESULTS

Over the last 7 years, a total of 9161 consultations in 7.7% of the population have been performed. The demography of the patient population reflects the underlying population apart for an over-representation of the female gender in younger years. The disease spectrum is comparable with what has been reported in other outpatient clinics, except for the relative absence of skin cancer and pigmented lesions, for which regular outpatient consultation is reserved.

LIMITATIONS

The study is descriptive.

CONCLUSIONS

The experience derived suggests that teledermatology may serve as a near-adequate alternative to a regular private practice, if abstaining from treating minor common skin conditions and purely cosmetic conditions is acceptable.

Telecommunications technologies used in dermatovenerology

The article discusses key lines of activities of the State Research Center for Dermatology and Venereology related to the development of telemedicine in the process of rendering specialized medical aid to dermatovenerological patients and distance education for experts in the field of dermatology, venereology and cosmetology. It presents up-to-date data on the potential and level of development of information and telecommunications technologies in specialized dermatovenerological medical institutions.

A pilot study on tertiary teledermatology: feasibility and acceptance of telecommunication among dermatologists

Tertiary teledermatology (TTD), where a general dermatologist consults a specialized dermatologist on difficult cases, is a relatively new telemedicine service. We evaluated TTD in a Dutch university hospital, where 13 general dermatologists used TTD to consult 11 specialized dermatologists and two residents at the university medical centre. We measured the avoided referrals to the university centre, the usability of the system and the user acceptance of it. During a three-month study, general dermatologists consulted via TTD 28 times. In 17 of the consultations (61%), the general dermatologists would have referred their patients to the university centre if teledermatology had not been available. Referral was not necessary after teledermatology for 12 of these 17 consultations (71%). The mean usability score (0–100) of all the users was 80. All dermatologists were satisfied with TTD (mean satisfaction of 7.6 on a 10-point scale) and acceptance was high. The baseline measurements showed that half of tertiary referrals were suitable for TTD. These results suggest that TTD reduces unnecessary physical referrals and that users are satisfied with it. A large-scale evaluation is now required.

A cost minimisation analysis in teledermatology: model-based approach

Background

Although store-and-forward teledermatology is increasingly becoming popular, evidence on its effects on efficiency and costs is lacking. The aim of this study, performed in addition to a clustered randomised trial, was to investigate to what extent and under which conditions store-and-forward teledermatology can reduce costs from a societal perspective.

Methods

A cost minimisation study design (a model based approach) was applied to compare teledermatology and conventional process costs per dermatology patient care episode. Regarding the societal perspective, total mean costs of investment, general practitioner, dermatologists, out-of-pocket expenses and employer costs were calculated. Uncertainty analysis was performed using Monte Carlo simulation with 31 distributions in the used cost model. Scenario analysis was performed using one-way and two-way sensitivity analyses with the following variables: the patient travel distance to physician and dermatologist, the duration of teleconsultation activities, and the proportion of preventable consultations.

Results

Total mean costs of teledermatology process were €387 (95%CI, 281 to 502.5), while the total mean costs of conventional process costs were €354.0 (95%CI, 228.0 to 484.0). The total mean difference between the processes was €32.5 (95%CI, -29.0 to 74.7). Savings by teledermatology can be achieved if the distance to a dermatologist is larger (> = 75 km) or when more consultations (> = 37%) can be prevented due to teledermatology.

Conclusions

Teledermatology, when applied to all dermatology referrals, has a probability of 0.11 of being cost saving to society.

In order to achieve cost savings by teledermatology, teledermatology should be applied in only those cases with a reasonable probability that a live consultation can be prevented.

Trail Registration

This study is performed partially based on PERFECT D Trial (Current Controlled Trials No.ISRCTN57478950).

[Diagnostic reliability of an asynchronous teledermatology consultation]

OBJECTIVE

To analyze the diagnostic agreement rate between primary care, an asynchronous teledermatology consultation, and a conventional dermatology consultation.

DESIGN

Prospective non-randomized concordance study.

SETTING

Dermatology Service in Hospital Son Llàtzer (Palma de Mallorca) and primary care centers of Sóller and Arenal (Mallorca).

PARTICIPANTS

Patients have been included from December 2005 to July 2008, sent by teleconsultation (n=158).

MAIN MEASUREMENTS

Analysis of primary care, teledermatology consultation and face-to-face consultation diagnosis, in mentioned period of time. Calculation of kappa index of concordance.

RESULTS

158 teleconsultations have been made from December 2005 to July 2008, 94 (59,5%) women, and 64 (40,5%) men, aged from 9 to 96 years old (average, 55 years old). After grouping the diagnosis in categories, the distribution was: 48 (37,2%) benign tumours, 39 (30,2%) inflammatory and appendages diseases, 15 (11,6%) infectious diseases, 14 (10,9%) malignant tumours, and 13 (10,1%) premalignant tumours. In grouped diagnosis, concordance was 59,8% (CI 95%, 50-70%) (P<.0001) for general practitioner and 94,7% (CI 95%, 90-99%) (P<.0001) for teledermatologist.

CONCLUSIONS

The main advantage of asynchronous teledermatology is the improvement of the quality triage, allowing the detection of malignant or suspicious lesions. However, we need more comparable studies on a larger scale to evaluate the disadvantages (photographic technique limitation, evaluation of other lesions, legal aspects, professional motivation...).

Digital image compression in dermatology: format comparison

Digital image compression (reduction of the amount of numeric data needed to represent a picture) is widely used in electronic storage and transmission devices. Few studies have compared the suitability of the different compression algorithms for dermatologic images. We aimed at comparing the performance of four popular compression formats, Tagged Image File (TIF), Portable Network Graphics (PNG), Joint Photographic Expert Group (JPEG), and JPEG2000 on clinical and videomicroscopic dermatologic images. Nineteen (19) clinical and 15 videomicroscopic digital images were compressed using JPEG and JPEG2000 at various compression factors and TIF and PNG. TIF and PNG are "lossless" formats (i.e., without alteration of the image), JPEG is "lossy" (the compressed image has a lower quality than the original), JPEG2000 has a lossless and a lossy mode. The quality of the compressed images was assessed subjectively (by three expert reviewers) and quantitatively (by measuring, point by point, the color differences from the original). Lossless JPEG2000 (49% compression) outperformed the other lossless algorithms, PNG and TIF (42% and 31% compression, respectively). Lossy JPEG2000 compression was slightly less efficient than JPEG, but preserved image quality much better, particularly at higher compression factors. For its good quality and compression ratio, JPEG2000 appears to be a good choice for clinical/videomicroscopic dermatologic image compression. Additionally, its diffusion and other features, such as the possibility of embedding metadata in the image file and to encode various parts of an image at different compression levels, make it perfectly suitable for the current needs of dermatology and teledermatology.