The Advantages of Telemedicine

The Disadvantages of Telemedicine

Types of Telemedicine

• Telepathology
• Teledermatology
• Teleradiology
• Primary Care 

Links to Other Telemedicine Sites
 

 Teledermatology is the use of telemedicine for dermatological consultations.  This is very important because of the fact that 20% of general practitioners are unable to diagnose twenty of the most common dermatological diseases.  During a teledermatological consultation, a dermatologist will evaluate clinical and laboratory data, make a diagnosis, and prescribe therapy for patients located at a distance.  Ultimately, the goal is to provide care to dermatology patients in underserved areas, improve the quality of care, and decrease the cost of care. Whether or not this is achieved is unknown, due to the inadequate amounts of research done on teledermatology.

 There are two main types of dermatological consultations.  One method is the store and forward technology.  This technique is more convenient due to the fact that there is no need of a consulting physician at the same time as the referring physician and patient.  Additionally, compared to the other type, the store and forward method is also time efficient.  However, this method does have its disadvantages.  The consulting physician can not ask the patient any questions and he can not ask for certain images or close- up images.  This can be very problematic because it prevents the consulting physician from making a better diagnosis.  The other technique, called the live interactive technology, is done live via telemedicine equipment.  The major advantage to using this type of technology is that fact that the consulting physician can ask the patient and referring physician any questions that may be essential to making a diagnosis and carrying out treatment.  Both technologies use two very useful instruments, a dermatoscope and microscope. 

 Although promising, teledermatology does have its problems.  The one that is more major is that inability of the consulting physician to physically examine the patient’s skin and physical examinations are a major way the dermatologists evaluate and treat patients.  For example, in one case, the consulting physician is unable to palpate the skin, and as a result, the doctor is unable to make a fully informed decision.  Secondly, lack of reimbursement inhibits the growth of teledermatology.  Unfortunately, only a few states reimburse for teledermatological services and often times, it is only partial reimbursement.  On the upside, teledermatology is much shorter than live face to face visits.