Article Sidebar
Article Details
Issue
Section
Articles
By submitting manuscripts to SAFP, authors of original articles are assigning copyright to the SA Academy of Family Practice/Primary Care. Copyright of review articles are assigned to the Publisher, Medpharm Publications (Pty) Ltd, unless otherwise specified. Authors may use their own work after publication without written permission, provided they acknowledge the original source. Individuals and academic institutions may freely copy and distribute articles published in SAFP for educational and research purposes without obtaining permission.
Main Article Content
Teledermatology in a Rural Family Practice
Abstract
BACKGROUND: Telemedicine can provide specialist services at a distance to rural areas where access to such services is limited, especially in developing countries. The objectives of this study are to describe and evaluate a teledermatology service in a rural family practice.
METHODS: Internet-based store-and-forward technology was used. Patients were selected who needed a specialist dermatologist's opinion for diagnosis and management. Pictures of skin conditions were taken with a digital camera and forwarded, together with clinical data, via electronic mail (e-mail) to specialist dermatologists at either of three distant academic centres. Digital pictures of skin biopsies were also forwarded from the regional pathology laboratory. Results were received via e-mail.
RESULTS: Over a twenty-one month period, fifty-two patients had teledermatology consultations. Picture quality was adequate for evaluation in all cases. The family practitioner's provisional diagnosis, compared to the teledermatologists, was correct in 28 (57%) of 49 cases where a definite diagnosis was made. Six patients needed referral to a dermatology clinic. The most common diagnoses (number) were tinea (8), acquired immune-deficiency syndrome associated papulopruritic eruption (3), photosensitive dermatitis (3) scleroderma or morphea (3), ptyriasis rosea (2), psoriasis (2) and systemic lupus erythematosis (2).
CONCLUSION: Most patients with dermatology problems in rural family practice can be managed by means of store-and-forward teledermatology.
SA Fam Pract 2002, 25(6):4-8
METHODS: Internet-based store-and-forward technology was used. Patients were selected who needed a specialist dermatologist's opinion for diagnosis and management. Pictures of skin conditions were taken with a digital camera and forwarded, together with clinical data, via electronic mail (e-mail) to specialist dermatologists at either of three distant academic centres. Digital pictures of skin biopsies were also forwarded from the regional pathology laboratory. Results were received via e-mail.
RESULTS: Over a twenty-one month period, fifty-two patients had teledermatology consultations. Picture quality was adequate for evaluation in all cases. The family practitioner's provisional diagnosis, compared to the teledermatologists, was correct in 28 (57%) of 49 cases where a definite diagnosis was made. Six patients needed referral to a dermatology clinic. The most common diagnoses (number) were tinea (8), acquired immune-deficiency syndrome associated papulopruritic eruption (3), photosensitive dermatitis (3) scleroderma or morphea (3), ptyriasis rosea (2), psoriasis (2) and systemic lupus erythematosis (2).
CONCLUSION: Most patients with dermatology problems in rural family practice can be managed by means of store-and-forward teledermatology.
SA Fam Pract 2002, 25(6):4-8
