Related Experiment Video
Updated: Aug 13, 2026
Bridging the Technology Divide in the COVID-19 Era: Using Virtual Outreach to Expose Middle and High School Students to Imaging Technology
Published on: September 28, 2022
Evaluation Of Medical Students' Awareness, Attitudes, And Preferences Regarding Teledermatology
Zekiye Kanat1, Dursun Türkmen1, Nihal Altunişik1
1Department of Dermatology, İnönü University, School of Medicine, Malatya, Turkey.
Introduction:
Teledermatology enables remote evaluation of dermatological conditions through digital imaging and communication technologies and is considered particularly feasible due to the visual nature of dermatological examination.
Objectives:
To assess medical students' awareness, knowledge, attitudes, experiences, and preferences regarding teledermatology.
Methods:
This cross-sectional descriptive study included 286 medical students. Data were collected via a questionnaire developed from the literature and reviewed by dermatologists, administered both online and face-to-face. Statistical analyses were performed using SPSS 26.0. Categorical variables were analyzed with the chi-square test, with Bonferroni correction for post hoc comparisons. A p-value <0.05 was considered significant.
Results:
The mean age was 20.38 ± 1.68 years, with equal sex distribution. Overall, 50.3% had never heard of teledermatology, and only 32.2% were familiar with it. Most participants (76.2%) did not believe teledermatology could match face-to-face diagnostic accuracy. Support for official implementation was 30.8%, while 26.9% preferred teledermatological consultation. Only 4.5% had prior experience. Reported advantages included improved access to dermatologists (70.6%), increased patient evaluation capacity (56.3%), and reduced cost and time (54.5%). Disadvantages included misdiagnosis risk (72.7%), reliance on technical infrastructure (39.2%), and image quality issues (37.8%). Sex differences were significant only for misdiagnosis perception (P=0.001). Awareness increased with age (P=0.000), and prior awareness influenced preferences (P=0.012). No association was found with class level or economic status.
Conclusions:
Medical students show limited awareness but generally positive attitudes toward teledermatology. Concerns include infrastructure, image quality, and diagnostic reliability. Integrating telemedicine training into medical curricula may improve knowledge, confidence, and adoption.
Related Concept Videos
01:14Assessing Body Temperature - Oral
Step 1:
Start by practicing proper hand hygiene to prevent the spread of microorganisms.
Step 2:
Take the thermometer out of the charging unit, switch it on, and wait for the ready sign.
Step 3:
Gently slide the probe cover until a click is heard. This simple action prevents cross-contamination and ensures the correct placement of the probe cover.
Step 4:
Instruct the patient to open their mouth and place...
01:14Assessing Body Temperature - Tympanic membrane
Step 1: Begin by practicing good hand hygiene to prevent the transmission of microorganisms.
Step 2: Turn on the thermometer and wait until the ready sign appears on the screen to ensure accurate measurement.
Step 3: Slide the probe cover in place to prevent cross-contamination.
Step 4: Instruct the patient to tilt their head to the side for comfort and check for cerumen...
01:19Assessing Body Temperature - Temporal Artery
Step 1: Perform hand hygiene and don a fresh pair of gloves to prevent cross-infection and ensure patient safety.
Step 2: Explain the procedure to the patient to establish trust. Clear communication establishes trust with the patient, ensures they understand what to expect, promotes cooperation, and enhances comfort during the procedure.
Step 3: Assess the patient's forehead...