Evaluating patient acceptance of a teledermatology link of an urban urgent-care dermatology clinic run by residents with board certified dermatologists.

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.