PRACTICING DERMATOLOGY VIA TELEMEDICINE

Aim. An interactive telemedicine service has been established between Taumarunui Hospital and the Department of Dermatology at Waikato Hospi tal. The first one hundred dermatological consultations were reviewed to see if the consultations were satisfactory for medical staff and pa tients. Methods. A proprietary video conferencing system communicating via the Integrated Systems Digital Network was used to conduct dermat ological consultations. Data were collected regarding waiting time, di agnosis and followup arrangements. Each patient was asked to complete a questionnaire after the consultation. Results. Of these consultation s, 83 were newly referred patients and the rest were follow-ups. The m edian waiting time for a new patient was 63 days. A variety of skin le sions (in 40 patients), inflammatory eruptions (31) and infections (13 ) were diagnosed and managed. Sixteen patients had to be seen at the b ase hospital for surgical treatment (7), face-to-face diagnosis (3), p atch testing (3), a second opinion (2), or for personal reasons (1). T he others were followed up locally. Savings in time and cost to patien ts were noted particularly. Conclusion. Only about 20% of consultation s with new patients resulted in a further face-to-face appointment. Th e majority of patients found the telelink acceptable. The data support ed the continuation and possible expansion of the dermatology telemedi cine service. However, improved image quality is desirable.