A guideline in telemedical care of patients with skin diseases according to certain quality standards has just been issued and published by experts of the Professional Association of German Dermatologists (BVDD) and the German Dermatological Society (DDG). The S2k guideline „Teledermatology“ of the cooperation contains suggestions and recommendations on a scientific basis for the quality-assured treatment of patients in telemedicine.
For various clinical pictures, such as common skin diseases like psoriasis, neurodermatitis, skin cancer as well as acute and chronic wounds, which have to be clarified dermatologically, the recommendations define the procedure of dermatologists and can be referred to by dermatologists. The dermatological guideline in the telemedical treatment of patients has been developed on the basis of evidence research and experience of experts. It applies to primary diagnostics as well as to follow-up examinations of various skin pictures, although a primary diagnostic procedure is not indicated for all clinical pictures. The initial diagnosis of psoriasis and atopic dermatitis should be made after a personal physician-patient contact and not on the basis of teledermatological findings. Other skin conditions that are easily recognized visually are usually clear and can be diagnosed and identified by telemedicine, which include infectious skin diseases, eczema, and benign tumors, as well as black and white skin cancers. Artificial intelligence (AI), however, should not be used for skin cancer of either type.
For dermatology physicians, there are two different technologies in use to determine skin disease that the guideline defines:
Store-and-forward is a data transmission method in which the data is first stored temporarily and then later sent for analysis. With real-time technology, the skin findings are made directly in real time, as in video switching, for example. The experts of both professional societies like the BVDD president Dr. Klaus Störmer, who has elaborated the guideline together with other colleagues, expects an important step in the adequate support of dermatologists as well as their patients from the guideline-compliant teledermatology and hopes for a good practicability of the guideline in the strongly visually influenced field of medicine.
Source: E-Health