Teledermatology: Canadian dermatologists’ practice patterns, perceived challenges and future recommendations
The use of teledermatology has increased significantly in recent years. The objective of this study was to determine Canadian dermatologists’ and dermatology residents’ perspectives on teledermatology. An online survey was created to determine participants’ teledermatology practice patterns and the...
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
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PAGEPress Publications
2025-02-01
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| Series: | Dermatology Reports |
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| Online Access: | https://www.pagepress.org/journals/dr/article/view/10197 |
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| author | Sidra Sarfaraz Tarek Turk Samuel A. J. Lowe Luvneet Verma Marlene Dytoc |
| author_facet | Sidra Sarfaraz Tarek Turk Samuel A. J. Lowe Luvneet Verma Marlene Dytoc |
| author_sort | Sidra Sarfaraz |
| collection | DOAJ |
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The use of teledermatology has increased significantly in recent years. The objective of this study was to determine Canadian dermatologists’ and dermatology residents’ perspectives on teledermatology. An online survey was created to determine participants’ teledermatology practice patterns and their perception of the challenges, education, training, and research in teledermatology. The survey was distributed through the Canadian Dermatology Association and by administrative staff at Canadian Dermatology departments. There were 33 respondents: 66.7% of respondents started using teledermatology during the COVID-19 pandemic, and 93.8% reported that teledermatology accounted for 0-25% of their practice. Convenience, access, and safety were identified as the primary advantages of teledermatology. Teledermatology was mainly utilized for medication monitoring or refills and to assess, manage, or follow up on dermatitis, other chronic inflammatory conditions, and pre-diagnosed dermatologic conditions. Poor photo quality (32.3%) and the inability to conduct physical examinations or accurately diagnose conditions (74.2%) were reported as significant challenges. Respondents recommended education on the medicolegal considerations of teledermatology and research on how teledermatology compares to in-person consultations. Overall, teledermatology offers convenience, access, and improved safety for patients and healthcare professionals. However, addressing challenges related to physical examinations, accurate diagnoses, and photo quality is essential for optimal care delivery.
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| format | Article |
| id | doaj-art-9ee9f92129fe4de283ede0450adf46b0 |
| institution | Kabale University |
| issn | 2036-7392 2036-7406 |
| language | English |
| publishDate | 2025-02-01 |
| publisher | PAGEPress Publications |
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| series | Dermatology Reports |
| spelling | doaj-art-9ee9f92129fe4de283ede0450adf46b02025-02-07T01:45:26ZengPAGEPress PublicationsDermatology Reports2036-73922036-74062025-02-0110.4081/dr.2025.10197Teledermatology: Canadian dermatologists’ practice patterns, perceived challenges and future recommendationsSidra Sarfaraz0Tarek Turk1Samuel A. J. Lowe2Luvneet Verma3Marlene Dytoc4Department of Medicine, Division of Dermatology, The Ottawa Hospital, University of Ottawa, OntarioFaculty of Medicine and Dentistry, University of Alberta, Edmonton, Canada; Department of Dermatology and Venereology, Ministry of Health, DamascusSchool of Public Health, University of Alberta, EdmontonDivision of Dermatology, Faculty of Medicine and Dentistry, University of Alberta, EdmontonDivision of Dermatology, Faculty of Medicine and Dentistry, University of Alberta, Edmonton The use of teledermatology has increased significantly in recent years. The objective of this study was to determine Canadian dermatologists’ and dermatology residents’ perspectives on teledermatology. An online survey was created to determine participants’ teledermatology practice patterns and their perception of the challenges, education, training, and research in teledermatology. The survey was distributed through the Canadian Dermatology Association and by administrative staff at Canadian Dermatology departments. There were 33 respondents: 66.7% of respondents started using teledermatology during the COVID-19 pandemic, and 93.8% reported that teledermatology accounted for 0-25% of their practice. Convenience, access, and safety were identified as the primary advantages of teledermatology. Teledermatology was mainly utilized for medication monitoring or refills and to assess, manage, or follow up on dermatitis, other chronic inflammatory conditions, and pre-diagnosed dermatologic conditions. Poor photo quality (32.3%) and the inability to conduct physical examinations or accurately diagnose conditions (74.2%) were reported as significant challenges. Respondents recommended education on the medicolegal considerations of teledermatology and research on how teledermatology compares to in-person consultations. Overall, teledermatology offers convenience, access, and improved safety for patients and healthcare professionals. However, addressing challenges related to physical examinations, accurate diagnoses, and photo quality is essential for optimal care delivery. https://www.pagepress.org/journals/dr/article/view/10197TeledermatologydermatologytelemedicineCanadaCOVID |
| spellingShingle | Sidra Sarfaraz Tarek Turk Samuel A. J. Lowe Luvneet Verma Marlene Dytoc Teledermatology: Canadian dermatologists’ practice patterns, perceived challenges and future recommendations Dermatology Reports Teledermatology dermatology telemedicine Canada COVID |
| title | Teledermatology: Canadian dermatologists’ practice patterns, perceived challenges and future recommendations |
| title_full | Teledermatology: Canadian dermatologists’ practice patterns, perceived challenges and future recommendations |
| title_fullStr | Teledermatology: Canadian dermatologists’ practice patterns, perceived challenges and future recommendations |
| title_full_unstemmed | Teledermatology: Canadian dermatologists’ practice patterns, perceived challenges and future recommendations |
| title_short | Teledermatology: Canadian dermatologists’ practice patterns, perceived challenges and future recommendations |
| title_sort | teledermatology canadian dermatologists practice patterns perceived challenges and future recommendations |
| topic | Teledermatology dermatology telemedicine Canada COVID |
| url | https://www.pagepress.org/journals/dr/article/view/10197 |
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