A smart phone app could help dermatologists diagnose skin conditions.
The app proved to be effective, and could help deliver more efficient care in crowded hospitals, a Penn Medicine news release reported.
"Dermatology support is essential for hospitalized patients, but unfortunately many hospitals lack dermatology coverage. Teledermatology may help optimize time spent by dermatologists in the inpatient setting by potentially reducing or eliminating trips to the hospital, and allowing some dermatologists to batch consultations or schedule non-urgent inpatients to be seen after discharge for outpatient appointments," senior study author Misha Rosenbach, MD, assistant professor of Dermatology and director of the Dermatology inpatient dermatology service at Penn Medicine said in the news release. "A substantial agreement between in-person and teledermatology consultants in this study demonstrates the reliability and potential of this platform."
The researchers compared assessments of 50 hospitalized patients diagnosed using a face-to-face method and the new app.
The team found that when the in-person dermatologist recommended the patient come in that day the teledermatologist did as well 90 percent of the time; Both dermatologists agreed 95 percent of the time in cases where the patient needed a biopsy. Both doctor's completely agreed on the diagnosis 82 percent of the time and partially agreed in 88 percent of the time.
"Our study of this model demonstrated that teledermatology consultations are not only effective at distinguishing cases in need for an urgent consultation in a hospital environment, but can also streamline follow-up care for both patients and clinicians," Carrie Kovarik, MD, associate professor of Dermatology said in the news releas. "In addition to addressing physician shortages from a clinical standpoint, teledermatology programs are very important for vulnerable citizens in the United States and abroad," said James, past president of the American Academy of Dermatology. "It is wonderful that the impact of these teledermatology consultations continues to expand."
