Teledermatology management of difficult-to-treat dermatoses in the Faroe Islands
INTRODUCTION: Teledermatology is a useful tool for underserved areas. However, because it is not without costs, knowledge of the burdens incurred by teledermatology treatment would be valuable for future types of management. METHODS: All specialist dermatology services in the Faroe Islands have been...
| Published in: | Acta Dermatovenerologica Alpina Pannonica et Adriatica |
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| Main Authors: | , |
| Format: | Article in Journal/Newspaper |
| Language: | English |
| Published: |
2019
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| Subjects: | |
| Online Access: | https://curis.ku.dk/portal/da/publications/teledermatology-management-of-difficulttotreat-dermatoses-in-the-faroe-islands(1398a150-9e58-4520-9f89-c87512d259dd).html https://doi.org/10.15570/actaapa.2019.2 |
| Summary: | INTRODUCTION: Teledermatology is a useful tool for underserved areas. However, because it is not without costs, knowledge of the burdens incurred by teledermatology treatment would be valuable for future types of management. METHODS: All specialist dermatology services in the Faroe Islands have been provided by our department through a mix of standard and teledermatology consultations. We performed a retrospective review of the teledermatology database from its inauguration in 2003 to November 2018. The ratio of consultations per patient (CPP) was calculated as a way to investigate any disproportionate teledermatology burden per patient with a specific disease. RESULTS: The most common diagnoses were psoriasis, dermatitis, atopic dermatitis, and acne. Among the most frequent CPP diagnoses were bullous pemphigoid, hidradenitis suppurativa, lichen sclerosus, and granuloma annulare. DISCUSSION: Dermatological conditions that require paraclinical assistance for diagnosis, hands-on examination, or treatment with either biologics or surgery will all result in high CPP. However, teledermatology still has a place in the treatment of high-CPP dermatoses in rural areas because there is no other alternative. For non-rural areas, CPP can be used as a way to identify those dermatoses that are not advantageous to treat using telemedicine, but instead best benefit from standard face-to-face consultation. |
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