A TP applies to diagnosis, treatment, and follow-up of skin disorders and education. TP reduces multiple visits for follow-up care and benefits elderly, especially those coming from far-off places. For dermatology care in remote geographic regions or needy population in situ ations like serious pandemics like COVID-19 where the population is under lockdown, early care is provided and difficult to manage cases that are not neglected.
The aim of TP is to reach the one who is difficult to reach. COVID-19, a viral pandemic, is a well-suited scenario, in which dermatologists can evaluate and manage patients. Unnecessary and avoidable exposure of the people involved in delivery of health care can be avoided using TP. TP can prevent the transmission of infectious diseases, reducing the risks to both health-care workers and patients. Similar to radiology, dermatology is a visual specialty availability of clinical and histopathological images for diagnosis makes it an ideal choice for TP.Ī TP consultation is provided without exposing staff to viruses/infections in the times of contagious disease outbreaks like COVID. Teledermatology is a branch of dermatology involving application of electronics, communications, and information technology to transmit the information between the patient and dermatologist and vice versa for research and practice to cater dermatology care., Teledermatology practice (TP) is performed everywhere including as far as South Pole, as remote as Faroe Islands, rural India, USA, Africa, and in austere environments. Teledermatology in a nursing home setting was first demonstrated by Zelickson and Homan. The term teledermatology was introduced by Perednia and Brown. Between 19, research to monitor astronaut's heart rate, blood pressure, and electrocardiogram was conducted. The Nebraska Project, USA, in 1959, used videoconference for psychiatry patients which was conducted between two hospitals within a distance of 150 km. In 1906, Wilhelm Einthoven discovered telecardiogram and was successful in the transmission of electrocardiogram using a telephone network. The members may practice TP after observing all conditions as in telemedicine guidelines prepared by the National Medical Council with due caution. The Indian Association of Dermatologists, Venereologists, and Leprologists in view of COVID-19 situation encourages its members to perform TP and provide care. Spotters, pediatric, geriatric, and chronic cases are managed with TP. In an Indian scenario, SAF TP meets the technical requirement, economical, and easy to practice. Store-and-forward (SAF) teledermatology mobile apps (e.g., WhatsApp) perform to capture, transfer, and store the clinical images. It is a medium for a dermatologist to cater the needy patients. Teledermatology practice (TP) is an effective, safe, and fast medium to reach one who is difficult to reach. Recent outbreak of COVID-19, a viral pandemic, has motivated the global community for social distancing and enforcement of lockdown. Pandemics like influenza and plague have posed a great threat to humanity in the past.