Teledermatology: Meeting the Need for Specialized Care in Rural Haiti.

Abstract

In Haiti, rural populations lack access to specialized care, such as dermatology, yet dermatological conditions are common causes for primary care (PC) visits. Studies on teledermatology from resource-constrained settings demonstrate promising results. We assessed the feasibility of implementing teledermatology in rural Haiti. Patients with dermatological problems were examined by a PC provider in Haiti. Photos and intake evaluations were reviewed by U.S.-based dermatologists. Among 101 patients with dermatological problems, atopic disease and fungal infections were most common. Average diagnostic concordance between Haitian providers and U.S. dermatologists was 68.9%. The average time from intake to "case-closed" was 1.67 days. Diagnostic concordance and turn-around time were comparable to similar studies, demonstrating that teledermatology is well-suited for rural Haiti and could increase access to specialized care. In Haiti and similar settings, telemedicine should be considered a viable option for meeting the health care needs of underserved populations.