Teledermatology as an Educational Tool for Teaching Dermatology to Residents and Medical Students

Abstract

Although teledermatology (TD) is regarded as a tool to improve patient access to specialty healthcare, little has been done to evaluate its role in medical education. We describe the TD program at the Denver (CO) Department of Veterans Affairs Medical Center and evaluate its use as an educational tool for teaching dermatology to dermatology residents and medical students. Dermatology residents manage TD consultations and review all cases with a faculty preceptor; medical students participate as observers when possible. This study assessed dermatology resident (n = 14) and medical student (n = 16) perceptions of TD and its usefulness in teaching six core clinical competencies. Both residents (79%) and medical students (88%) ''strongly agree'' or ''agree'' that TD is an important educational tool. In general, medical students were slightly more satisfied than residents across all of the core competencies assessed except for patient care. Medical students and residents were most satisfied with the competencies of practice-based learning and improvement and medical knowledge, whereas they were least satisfied with those of interpersonal and communication skills and professionalism. Overall, TD is valued as a teaching tool for dermatology in the areas of patient care, medical knowledge, practicebased learning and improvement, and systems-based practice.

Integrating Outpatient Teledermatology Education Into the Dermatology Resident Curriculum

“…Studies also suggest appropriate utilization of TD as an educational tool. 2,3 We affirm this impression and advocate a standardized curriculum to enable dermatology residents to become adept at practicing TD. The TD program at Hampton Veterans Affairs Medical Center (VAMC) was implemented in 2012 using store-and-forward technology.…”

“…Both groups agreed that TD was an important educational tool, particularly in areas of practice-based learning and medical knowledge. 3 Teledermatology represents a unique tool to assess resident performance in accordance with the Accreditation Council for Graduate Medical Education competencies outlined in the Dermatology Milestone Project. With limited data as well as a lack of tactile and dermatoscopic examination, residents learn to triage lesions that require reassurance, topical/systemic treatments, or in-person visit for examination or biopsy.…”

Evolving Role of Telemedicine in Health Care Delivery in India

“…Based on their experience, they implemented a project identifying common skin disorders via this approach [41]. It is of note that teledermatology can be used not only in the diagnosis and treatment of patients, but also in the education of healthcare professionals [42].…”

Teledermatology and teledermatopathology as educational tools for international dermatology: a virtual grand rounds pilot curriculum

“…Several dermatology residency curricula have already integrated teledermatology to improve residents' diagnostic acumen of skin diseases through cased‐based practice and supervision from trained dermatologists. Integration of this technology into dermatology resident curricula may also fulfill certain competencies, such as medical knowledge and practice‐based learning, in the Dermatology Milestone Project by the Accreditation Council for Graduate Medical Education (ACGME) …”

“…Limited access to global health education has also been described by trainees in the US and Canada . Previous global health educational endeavors have also failed to address specific ACGME core competencies such as Interpersonal and Communication Skills and Professionalism …”