Cutler Lauren, Ross Katherine, Withers Mellissa, Chiu Melvin, Cutler David
J Health Care Poor Underserved. 2019;30(4):1394-1406. doi: 10.1353/hpu.2019.0097.
In Haiti, rural populations lack access to specialized care, such as dermatology, yet dermatological conditions are common causes for primary care (PC) visits. Studies on teledermatology from resource-constrained settings demonstrate promising results. We assessed the feasibility of implementing teledermatology in rural Haiti.
Patients with dermatological problems were examined by a PC provider in Haiti. Photos and intake evaluations were reviewed by U.S.-based dermatologists.
Among 101 patients with dermatological problems, atopic disease and fungal infections were most common. Average diagnostic concordance between Haitian providers and U.S. dermatologists was 68.9%. The average time from intake to "case-closed" was 1.67 days.
Diagnostic concordance and turn-around time were comparable to similar studies, demonstrating that teledermatology is well-suited for rural Haiti and could increase access to specialized care.
In Haiti and similar settings, telemedicine should be considered a viable option for meeting the health care needs of underserved populations.
在海地，农村人口难以获得皮肤科等专科护理，但皮肤病是基层医疗（PC）就诊的常见原因。来自资源有限环境的远程皮肤病学研究显示出了有前景的结果。我们评估了在海地农村实施远程皮肤病学的可行性。
海地的基层医疗服务提供者对有皮肤问题的患者进行检查。美国皮肤科医生查看照片和问诊评估。
在101名有皮肤问题的患者中，特应性疾病和真菌感染最为常见。海地医疗服务提供者与美国皮肤科医生之间的平均诊断一致性为68.9%。从问诊到“病例结束”的平均时间为1.67天。
诊断一致性和周转时间与类似研究相当，表明远程皮肤病学非常适合海地农村，并且可以增加获得专科护理的机会。
在海地及类似环境中，应将远程医疗视为满足服务不足人群医疗保健需求的可行选择。
