Patient satisfaction with store-and-forward teledermatology

Area of Science:

• Dermatology
• Health Services Research
• Digital Health

Background:

• Teledermatology offers a potential solution to improve access to dermatological care.
• Nurse-led services can extend the reach of specialist care.
• Store-and-forward teledermatology involves asynchronous transmission of patient data for expert review.

Purpose of the Study:

• To evaluate patient satisfaction with a novel nurse-led store-and-forward teledermatology service.
• To identify factors influencing patient experience with remote dermatological consultations.

Main Methods:

• A prospective study was conducted in Manchester involving a nurse-led teledermatology service.
• Patients' history and digital images of skin lesions were collected by a nurse and sent to a dermatologist.
• A questionnaire assessed patient satisfaction and convenience compared to traditional outpatient clinics.

Main Results:

• Out of 141 patients, 123 (87%) completed the study questionnaire.
• 93% of patients reported satisfaction with the teleconsultation, and 86% found it more convenient than clinic visits.
• However, 40% expressed a preference for in-person dermatologist consultations, and only 58% were comfortable not directly speaking with the dermatologist.

Conclusions:

• While nurse-led teledermatology demonstrates high patient satisfaction and convenience, a significant minority prefer direct interaction with a dermatologist.
• The absence of direct interaction and potential delays in advice may impact overall satisfaction.
• Further research should explore strategies to enhance patient-dermatologist communication and reduce waiting times in teledermatology services.