Assessment of an asyncronic tele dermatology system for primary care physicians via social networking app WhatsApp

Abstract

In Chile, there is little access to Dermatology outpatient consultations in the public health care system, which has favored the development of tele dermatology (TD). To assess satisfaction levels of primary care providers with a TD channel via the social networking app WhatsApp® and the concordance between the diagnosis of general practitioners and dermatologists at Pontificia Universidad Católica de Chile. An electronic survey was answered by the general practitioners who participate in the TD channel. In 417 cases, the diagnostic concordance between general practitioners and specialists was assessed. The survey was answered by 84 practitioners. General satisfaction levels with the platform were over 95%. Satisfaction levels with the response speed and the management suggested by the specialist were over 90%. Over 80% of the practitioners read the consultation sent by dermatologists and considered that their dermatological knowledge improved. Diagnostic concordance between practitioners and specialists was 41%. TD via a WhatsApp® group linked to a university is a low cost and easy to implement intervention, generating high levels of satisfaction among general practitioners.