Noah Scheinfeld1, Michael Fisher, Paul Genis, Heather Long. 1. The Department of Dermatology, St. Luke's-Roosevelt Hospital Center, 1090 Amsterdam Avenue, Suite 11D, New York, NY 10025, USA. scheinfeld@earthlink.net
Abstract
BACKGROUND: A teledermatology system was established in a dermatology urgent-care clinic staffed by dermatology residents in the emergency department. These residents had previously lacked attending dermatology supervision. METHODS AND PATIENTS: Resident physicians took digital pictures of patients' lesions and downloaded the images onto a network personal computer (PC). The images were stored on the hospital's server and then viewed within 5 minutes by an attending dermatologist, in a different location, using a network PC with monitor. Resident and attending physicians discussed the cases over the telephone. Patient acceptance was assessed via separate written surveys. Fifty-one patients, approximately 10 resident physicians, and two attending dermatologists participated in the study. RESULTS: Patient acceptance of the teledermatology system was high (93%). Teledermatology may prove a viable means of evaluating dermatologic complaints in the emergency department.
BACKGROUND: A teledermatology system was established in a dermatology urgent-care clinic staffed by dermatology residents in the emergency department. These residents had previously lacked attending dermatology supervision. METHODS AND PATIENTS: Resident physicians took digital pictures of patients' lesions and downloaded the images onto a network personal computer (PC). The images were stored on the hospital's server and then viewed within 5 minutes by an attending dermatologist, in a different location, using a network PC with monitor. Resident and attending physicians discussed the cases over the telephone. Patient acceptance was assessed via separate written surveys. Fifty-one patients, approximately 10 resident physicians, and two attending dermatologists participated in the study. RESULTS:Patient acceptance of the teledermatology system was high (93%). Teledermatology may prove a viable means of evaluating dermatologic complaints in the emergency department.