Please use this identifier to cite or link to this item: https://doi.org/10.1186/s12873-023-00854-2
Title: Teledermatology in an emergency department: benefits and gaps
Authors: Santosa, Adinia
Li, Zisheng 
Chandran, Nisha Suyien
Keywords: Science & Technology
Life Sciences & Biomedicine
Emergency Medicine
Telemedicine
Health resources
Dermatology
DERMATOLOGY
Issue Date: 4-Oct-2023
Publisher: BMC
Citation: Santosa, Adinia, Li, Zisheng, Chandran, Nisha Suyien (2023-10-04). Teledermatology in an emergency department: benefits and gaps. BMC EMERGENCY MEDICINE 23 (1). ScholarBank@NUS Repository. https://doi.org/10.1186/s12873-023-00854-2
Abstract: Background: Teledermatology has provided new avenues through which dermatologists can provide healthcare. Teledermatology was introduced to the Emergency Department (ED) to enable immediate dermatological consult. We aimed to assess the impact of teledermatology on the management of dermatological conditions by emergency medicine physicians and subsequent health resource utilization. Methods: We conducted a retrospective review of teledermatology referrals from the ED of our tertiary hospital in Singapore from June 2015 to December 2019. The dermatological conditions, the triaging and treatment recommendations were analyzed. Follow-up plans were recorded. Results: Between June 2015 and December 2019, 147 patients were referred from the ED via teledermatology; 11 (7.5%) were admitted, and 136 (92.5%) were recommended to be discharged with a dermatological diagnosis and management plan. If required, a follow-up appointment in the dermatology specialist clinic was arranged. Of the 136 patients who were discharged, 129 (94.9%) patients were provided with outpatient appointment in the dermatology clinic, out of which 110 patients returned for follow-up. 90 (81.8%) patients retained the initial teledermatology diagnoses and 20 (18.2%) patients had their teledermatology diagnoses revised after in-person review. Conclusions: Teledermatology allows for more efficient triaging of patients with dermatological conditions. Reliability between teledermatology and clinic-based examination is good. Patients may be managed mainly in the outpatient setting with appropriate specialty-directed treatment, return advice, and appropriately-triaged follow-up outpatient appointment.
Source Title: BMC EMERGENCY MEDICINE
URI: https://scholarbank.nus.edu.sg/handle/10635/245732
ISSN: 1471-227X
DOI: 10.1186/s12873-023-00854-2
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