BT13 MySkinDoctor: lessons learnt from assessing 120 000 teledermatology patients

Abstract

Abstract MySkinDoctor is a novel teledermatology platform that enables dermatologists to review images submitted directly by the patient via their smartphone, in addition to any metadata and the standard general practitioner referral. The three sets of data are used to triage or provide advice and guidance to National Health Service patients throughout the south east of England. Since its inception in 2019, the service has completed the assessment of > 120 000 cases. Analysis of the data shows that an unnecessary first appointment has been avoided in 48% of cases. This has led to a sharp reduction in waiting times in the areas in which it is being used (an average of 6 weeks) vs. neighbouring areas where waiting times remain between 27 and 50 weeks. Another benefit of the service is that, on average, each patient using it submits three digital images that are subsequently tagged inter alia with their age, sex, body location and the consultant’s diagnosis. This has resulted in a large, and growing, digital image library with associated dataset of patients that has been used to develop an artificial intelligence platform called ‘dermXai’. Using convolutional neural networks for image identification has produced an accuracy of determination of > 90% for the top 20 conditions seen. We will discuss the implementation schedule and regulatory challenges that need to be met in order for dermXai to support clinical decision-making. There are also environmental and economic benefits associated with using MySkinDoctor. Since its inception, it has saved > 40 000 road miles—over twice Earth’s circumference. This is a CO2 saving of 16 488 kg. The benefit to patients and their carers in terms of saving travel and regaining otherwise lost productivity time is difficult to quantify but could be studied prospectively. Patient-led digital dermatology is the obvious evolution of traditional teledermatology and our successful experience with MySkinDoctor and dermXai in southern England provides a template for a national service that will eliminate backlogs and significantly reduce patient waiting times. Conflicts of interest: Dr Bav Shergill is the Chief Medical Officer of MySkinDoctor Ltd and a Director of dermXai.