Investigating the factors enabling the accurate implementation of the patient‐assisted teledermatology model during the pandemic in Turkey: A pilot study

Abstract

We aim to investigate the factors enabling the accurate implementation of the patient-assisted teledermatology model during the pandemic in our country. This single-center, a prospective-survey study was enrolled consecutively 468 patients aged 13 years and older. The patients were asked about their attitudes towards teledermatology. After the dermatological examinations, the diagnosis and management of the diseases, and classification of diseases according to lesion locations were recorded. The physician's and the patient's opinions on whether it was possible to manage properly the current medical condition through teledermatology were recorded. The patients stated that 81.2% have been keen to use teledermatology for any complaints during the pandemic. 53.7% of the patients who are positive to use teledermatology expressed that they would never use this method unless it is fully reimbursed. Although it was thought that 49.8% of the current complaints according to the patients and 56.6% to the dermatologists could be resolved appropriately by teledermatology, for 24.8% either the patient's or the physician's opinion was contrary. Being woman, high-income level, and the presence of facial dermatosis favorably affected the patients' and physicians' evaluations regarding the suitability of the complaint to teledermatology. Factors such as low education level, insufficient technical skills to be examined alone, and the necessity of undressing for examination caused patients to consider teledermatology unsuitable for their current complaints.Priority should be given to the development of an appropriate reimbursement system and reducing potential medicolegal risks to encourage patients to participate in highquality teledermatology.

Telemedicine in Low- and Middle-Income Countries During the COVID-19 Pandemic: A Scoping Review

“…Matheus et al ( 32 ) identified telemedicine as playing a significant role in alleviating the effect of the COVID-19 pandemic on the healthcare system. Also, Turan and Utlu ( 33 ) reported that telemedicine was effective in triaging and screening 468 dermatological patients, resulting in a significant decrease in in-person visits to the healthcare facility.…”

“…Saving PPEs was also part of the healthcare system savings ( 23 , 29 , 36 , 37 , 40 , 42 , 57 , 65 – 67 ). Some articles ( n = 8, 14.8%) claimed that adopting telemedicine has resulted in the continuation of healthcare services that would otherwise be constrained or disrupted due to COVID-19 constraints and rules ( 4 , 6 , 33 , 35 , 36 , 39 , 41 ).…”

“…Users reported privacy issues in some studies ( n = 8, 14.8%) ( 7 , 28 , 38 , 39 , 46 , 55 , 58 , 69 ), as well as a lack of acceptance for telemedicine as a mode of healthcare delivery ( n = 8, 14.8%) ( 28 , 38 , 39 , 46 , 55 , 58 , 69 ). Additionally, several studies ( n = 9, 16.7%) discovered a deficiency in training and comprehension of healthcare users ( 7 , 28 , 33 , 38 , 39 , 46 , 55 , 58 , 69 ).…”

Using Implementation Science to Understand Teledermatology Implementation Early in the COVID-19 Pandemic: Cross-sectional Study

“…This finding aligns with patients’ experiences with teledermatology. Despite high levels of patient satisfaction and willingness to continue using teledermatology after the pandemic [ 4 , 5 ], satisfaction with dermatology telephone visits is lower, and fewer dermatology patients are willing to use telephone visits for future dermatologic care [ 14 ]. Taken as a whole, our findings build on a growing body of evidence that certain modalities, particularly telephone visits, are less acceptable to both patients and care providers.…”

“…A recent review highlighted teledermatology’s potential to reduce health care disparities in underserved and marginalized communities, calling for future efforts to study implementation, as teledermatology has expanded greatly during the pandemic [ 3 ]. Although much of the published work on teledermatology during the COVID-19 pandemic focused on satisfaction among patients and care providers, less is known about its actual implementation during the early months of the pandemic [ 4 , 5 ]. The field of implementation science has been recognized for its potential to improve the integration of evidence-based practices into routine dermatologic care [ 6 ].…”