Fieleke David R, Edison Karen, Dyer Jon A
School of Medicine, University of Missouri-Columbia, Columbia, Missouri 65212, USA.
Pediatr Dermatol. 2008 Mar-Apr;25(2):158-62. doi: 10.1111/j.1525-1470.2008.00624.x.
Demand for pediatric dermatologic care far exceeds the supply of pediatric dermatologists. Teledermatology has been proposed as a solution to improve access to care, however, data regarding teledermatology use for pediatric patients are lacking. Surveys assessing use and experience with teledermatology were administered to pediatric dermatologists attending the 2006 Society for Pediatric Dermatology Annual Meeting and to programs offering teledermatology identified in the American Telemedicine Association's 2003 Teledermatology Survey. Over half of the 76 pediatric dermatologists responding to the survey had previous experience with teledermatology and nearly half currently use some form of teledermatology. For most, this represents nonreimbursed, store-and-forward consultations. Respondents noted that teledermatology allows more accurate triage of dermatology patients, decreases travel and outpatient clinic visits, and provides an avenue for ongoing support and education for primary care physicians. While difficulties exist, overcoming obstacles to the use of pediatric teledermatology and reimbursement for such services could improve access to expert pediatric dermatologic care.
对儿科皮肤病护理的需求远远超过了儿科皮肤科医生的供给。远程皮肤病学已被提议作为改善医疗服务可及性的一种解决方案，然而，关于儿科患者使用远程皮肤病学的数据却很缺乏。对参加2006年儿科皮肤病学会年会的儿科皮肤科医生以及在美国远程医疗协会2003年远程皮肤病学调查中确定的提供远程皮肤病学服务的项目进行了评估远程皮肤病学使用情况和体验的调查。对调查做出回应的76名儿科皮肤科医生中，超过半数曾有过远程皮肤病学的经验，近半数目前正在使用某种形式的远程皮肤病学。对大多数人来说，这意味着非报销的、存储转发式会诊。受访者指出，远程皮肤病学能使皮肤科患者的分诊更准确，减少出行和门诊就诊次数，并为初级保健医生提供持续支持和教育的途径。虽然存在困难，但克服儿科远程皮肤病学使用及此类服务报销方面的障碍，可能会改善获得专家级儿科皮肤病护理的机会。
