Teledermoscopy for Teledermatology

Abstract

Teledermatology is the remote delivery of dermatologic services and clinical information using telecommunications technology. One of the main potential benefits of teledermatology is providing patients and primary care physicians, especially those in medically underserved and remote communities, access to dermatologists. Other foreseeable benefits include improving healthcare access and delivery, reducing wait times for physician visits, and increasing overall cost savings. As the field of teledermatology has continued to expand, teledermoscopy, which involves the transmission of dermoscopic images in order to obtain a remote diagnosis of pigmented or non-pigmented skin lesions and rashes, is increasingly being utilized. However, very few studies have examined how teledermoscopy affects diagnostic accuracy in teledermatology. In this comprehensive review of the literature, we provide a summary of studies involving teledermoscopy, its uses, its advantages, and some of its future barriers and challenges.