How Teledermatology is Done in the UK
- In the UK today, we see a number of different teledermatology models in use:
- The National Health Service (NHS) has its own digital platform called eRS, which has an advice and guidance arm.
- General Practitioners (GPs) can attach digital images to these referrals for advice and guidance to be answered rapidly, followed by a referral if necessary.
- Some areas have developed their own dermatology services, some of which can use their own local IT or adaptations of other existing ones. (“SystmOne”)
- The National Health Service (NHS) has its own digital platform called eRS, which has an advice and guidance arm.
- Beyond this, there are also a number of commercial platforms that are in use.
- Consultant connect
- Cinapsis
- Medapp
- Vantage Rego
- Mederma
- MySkinDoctor
- The ultimate goal is working towards the ideal teledermatology system:
- services which are fully integrated between primary and secondary care that utilize better pathways, secure interface between the IT systems, iso they can be used anywhere at any time
- fully auditable with instant access and analysis of all the data contained: we’ll therefore be able to see:
- knowledge of who’s referring what,
- knowledge of when is the referral situated in the patient treatment pathways
- who’s on the waiting list
- the proportion of referrals
- how many management recommendations are sent back to the GP and how many need a specialist in-person visit.
Saul Halpern, MD. Teledermatology in Europe. 8th World Congress of Teledermatology, Skin Imaging and AI in Skin diseases – November 2020