E-consultation for DSD: a global platform for access to expert advice.

Electronic consultation (e-consultation) has been used for some years to facilitate communication between patients and their doctors, but it is also emerging as a valuable tool aiding communication between clinicians, both primary care and specialists, about a patient's care. Telehealth systems are being developed to provide video consultations to support diagnosis and management, as well as supporting clinical networks and health professional education. In some world regions, it seems increasingly likely that most rare diseases will be managed through a network of centres of expertise, and e-consultation systems may become a vital component of the service provided by these networks. Long-distance consultation across geographical and national boundaries has been used between colleagues in DSD for many years. However, the development of a robust and secure e-consultation service within the international DSD community appears to be timely. It will extend the current database and e-learning facilities, and should be achieved with the objective of providing expert opinion on a worldwide basis. It is proposed to install a steering committee to oversee the various practical, legal and cultural issues setting standards on data collection and exchange. The opportunity to broaden access to healthcare for all DSD patients and to widen discussion across the DSD community is valuable, and it is the view of the authors that this should be pursued and developed.