Centaine L Snoswell1, Jennifer A Whitty1,2, Liam J Caffery3, Anna Finnane4,5, H Peter Soyer4,6. 1. 1 School of Pharmacy, The University of Queensland, Australia. 2. 2 Health Economics Group, University of East Anglia, UK. 3. 3 Centre for Online Health, The University of Queensland, Australia. 4. 4 Dermatology Research Centre, The University of Queensland, Australia. 5. 5 School of Public Health, The University of Queensland, Australia. 6. 6 Dermatology Department, Princess Alexandra Hospital, Australia.
Abstract
INTRODUCTION: Determining appropriate remuneration for teledermoscopy service is important because inadequate remuneration can be a barrier to practitioner uptake and participation. This study explores dermatologist remuneration expectations for a single lesion store-and-forward teledermoscopy consultation. METHODS: Fourteen dermatologists participated in telephone interviews during May-June 2017. Questions regarding remuneration focused on a clinical scenario involving teledermoscopy of a single lesion suspected to be skin cancer. The initial scenario was an existing patient, with a provisional diagnosis of benign neoplasm from the images, to be followed-up with routine skin checks, taking three minutes to review. Participants indicated their remuneration expectation by selecting from an ascending array of pre-determined remuneration ranges. The question was repeated a further four times with one aspect of the scenario changed each time; consultation length, source (patient or general practitioner), required follow-up, and a new rather than existing patient. Participants were also asked how appropriate they thought teledermoscopy was for the scenario, and whether they would choose to undertake the consultation presented. RESULTS: Nine dermatologists selected the AU$61-90 or AU$91-120 remuneration ranges for the initial scenario. When given the opportunity to comment on teledermoscopy service provision in Australia, respondents reflected that it was a valuable, advanced dermatology service, but they would prefer face-to-face consultation with patients where possible to allow for a full body examination. DISCUSSION: Dermatologists expect to be remunerated in the range of AU$61-120 for a single lesion store-and-forward teledermoscopy consultation when face-to-face examination is not possible.
INTRODUCTION: Determining appropriate remuneration for teledermoscopy service is important because inadequate remuneration can be a barrier to practitioner uptake and participation. This study explores dermatologist remuneration expectations for a single lesion store-and-forward teledermoscopy consultation. METHODS: Fourteen dermatologists participated in telephone interviews during May-June 2017. Questions regarding remuneration focused on a clinical scenario involving teledermoscopy of a single lesion suspected to be skin cancer. The initial scenario was an existing patient, with a provisional diagnosis of benign neoplasm from the images, to be followed-up with routine skin checks, taking three minutes to review. Participants indicated their remuneration expectation by selecting from an ascending array of pre-determined remuneration ranges. The question was repeated a further four times with one aspect of the scenario changed each time; consultation length, source (patient or general practitioner), required follow-up, and a new rather than existing patient. Participants were also asked how appropriate they thought teledermoscopy was for the scenario, and whether they would choose to undertake the consultation presented. RESULTS: Nine dermatologists selected the AU$61-90 or AU$91-120 remuneration ranges for the initial scenario. When given the opportunity to comment on teledermoscopy service provision in Australia, respondents reflected that it was a valuable, advanced dermatology service, but they would prefer face-to-face consultation with patients where possible to allow for a full body examination. DISCUSSION: Dermatologists expect to be remunerated in the range of AU$61-120 for a single lesion store-and-forward teledermoscopy consultation when face-to-face examination is not possible.
Entities:
Keywords:
Teledermoscopy; dermatology; health services; healthcare financing; remuneration