DIAGNOSTIC-ACCURACY OF TELEDERMATOLOGY - RESULTS OF A PRELIMINARY-STUDY IN NEW-ZEALAND

Aim. To determine the accuracy of a video conferencing system (telemed icine) in diagnosis of dermatological disorders. Methods. New patients referred to a dermatology clinic were initially examined by telemedic ine and then by a standard face to face consultation. The diagnoses ma de by each type of consultation were compared and accuracy of telemedi cine determined. Results. One hundred and four patients with 135 derma tological conditions were analysed. Seventy five percent of conditions were correctly diagnosed by telemedicine. In a further 7% a different ial diagnosis was made, which included the final diagnosis made face t o face. In 12%, the diagnosis was incorrect using the telemedicine sys tem, and in 3% no diagnosis was made. Four per cent of diagnoses were only made when the patient was seen face to face. Conclusion. This pre liminary study suggests that video conferencing equipment can be used with a reasonable degree of accuracy for the diagnosis of dermatologic al disease.