Digital skin images submitted by patients: an evaluation of feasibility in store-and-forward teledermatology

Eur J Dermatol. 2010 Sep-Oct;20(5):606-10. doi: 10.1684/ejd.2010.1019. Epub 2010 Jul 16.

Abstract

This evaluation investigates the quality of digital skin images submitted by patients, and evaluates the feasibility of making a diagnosis and suggesting therapeutic intervention without direct physical examination. A broad sample of patients who called the Swiss Centre for Telemedicine for a skin problem, were invited to receive an oral and an electronic tutorial and to submit digital images of the lesion. All patients (N = 46) who submitted digital images of their skin problems during a two week period were included in the evaluation. Images were electronically transferred to a dermatologist from an independent office. Seventy-four percent of image sets contained focused images, and 72% contained adequate detail. Making a specific diagnosis was feasible in 67% of cases, and the dermatologist was able to narrow down the differential diagnosis in an additional 17%. Recommending therapeutic interventions was possible for the skin problems of 70% of patients. In conclusion, most digital skin images submitted by patients are of sufficient quality, and establishing a dermatological diagnosis is feasible in most cases. These results contribute to the validation of teledermatological processes based on patient-supplied skin images.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Dermatology / methods*
  • Feasibility Studies
  • Humans
  • Image Interpretation, Computer-Assisted
  • Photography / methods
  • Skin Diseases / diagnosis*
  • Skin Diseases / therapy
  • Telemedicine / instrumentation
  • Telemedicine / methods*