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Face-to-face dermatology consultations may have been the norm, but teledermatology is emerging as a great boon for both patients and physicians. Telehealth consultations are more than a temporary fix for social distancing protocols — a review on the Patient Satisfaction Studies in Teledermatology found that patients are pretty satisfied with virtual care. Telehealth allows patients to save up on commuting costs and avoid waiting times, without experiencing any compromises on the quality of care.
Now that many patients prefer telehealth, dermatologists and other physicians are making the switch. Telehealth platform Wheel outlines how physicians can offer lab requisitions and remote patient monitoring services, on top of virtual diagnosis and treatments. It’s a win-win situation for physicians as well, because telehealth providers get to design their own schedules.
Teledermatology enhances physicians’ professional experience because it allows them to treat a wide range of skin conditions. With that in mind, here are a few common skin conditions that can be treated through virtual care:
Acne
Our article on acne here at SkincareBeginner highlights that this particular skin condition can be pretty common, especially during puberty and pregnancy. Unfortunately, several skincare products and treatments target individuals with acne, making it difficult to gauge which ones are the best.
Telehealth is very useful in this case because dermatologists can visually assess patients’ acne through a virtual platform, and thus recommend the best cure after the assessment.
Atopic Dermatitis (Eczema)
Although there’s still no cure for atopic dermatitis, patients can manage flare-ups through telehealth services. Physicians can easily identify the condition through photographs or even videos of the affected area. After the diagnosis, dermatologists can prescribe any medication that can relieve the itchiness and dryness of patients’ skin. Patient education can also be done through telehealth visits, enabling patients to learn about basic changes they may need to make to their hygiene routine.
Hives and Rashes
Hives and rashes are allergic reactions that cause itchiness, making it difficult and uncomfortable for patients to go to the doctor’s clinic. Luckily, medical professionals from Kaiser Permanente discovered that mild cases of hives and rashes can be treated through teledermatology. Virtual care platforms make it easier for physicians to provide management practices for these conditions, allowing patients to experience better outcomes.
Psoriasis
Much like atopic dermatitis, psoriasis is a common chronic skin condition that will need long-term management. A photo or video of the affected area can help in making the diagnosis. But since psoriasis also tends to go through cycles with regards to flare-ups, patients can benefit from doing telehealth consultations to manage their condition. The physician can recommend medication, then review symptoms and change the medications, if needed.
Rosacea
Rosacea is now easier to diagnose using virtual platforms, as it manifests distinct symptoms on the skin. In fact, an article on ‘Telemedicine and E-health in the Management of Psoriasis’ revealed that mobile applications can even be used by physicians to diagnose psoriasis based on clinical features. These mobile applications have an accuracy rate of 93%, so it’s easier for virtual care providers to narrow down the exact treatments needed for the patients’ specific cases.
Through the extra features that are being offered by virtual care, patients can be confident that they can manage their conditions properly even through virtual consultations. The right platforms allow physicians to easily educate patients regarding necessary medications, and help manage their conditions over time.
