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Teledermatology in Norway using a mobile phone app
Syed Mohammad Husain Rizvi1,2, Thomas Schopf3, Amandip Sangha2
1Department of Dermatology, Oslo University Hospital, Oslo, Norway.
Plos One
|April 28, 2020
Summary
A new smartphone app allows primary care physicians to send patient photos and histories to dermatologists for remote diagnosis. This innovative telemedicine approach successfully diagnosed various skin conditions and avoided specialist referrals for 70% of patients.
Area of Science:
- Dermatology
- Medical Informatics
- Telemedicine
Background:
- Skin conditions like rashes, ulcers, and lesions are suitable for remote evaluation.
- Access to dermatological expertise can be challenging in primary care settings.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate the efficacy of a novel smartphone application for teledermatology in Norway.
- To assess the impact of the app on specialist referral rates for dermatological conditions.
Main Methods:
- A smartphone app was developed for physicians to submit patient medical history and dermatoscopic images.
- 171 patients with various skin lesions were evaluated remotely by dermatologists over a two-year period.
- Diagnoses and treatment recommendations were provided via the app.
Main Results:
- Common diagnoses included chronic ulcers (17%), eczema (15%), and pigmented lesions (13%).
- Referrals to specialist consultations were avoided for 70% (119) of patients.
- 9% (16) were recommended specialist consultations, and 21% (36) required further primary care measures.
Conclusions:
- The smartphone-based teledermatology app effectively diagnoses a wide range of skin conditions.
- This technology significantly reduces the need for in-person specialist consultations, improving healthcare efficiency.
