Implementation of a patient-assisted teledermatology model in the Veteran Health Administration. 2019

Andrew P Fortugno, and Robert P Dellavalle

Owing to the inherently visual nature of the field of dermatology, advances in imaging and communication technology have resulted in wide-spread application of teledermatology since its introduction in the mid-1990s. In the last 20 years, studies have repetitively shown that teledermatology provides effective and efficient quality care for patients. It also increases access to underserved patients and reduces traveling costs, wait times, and unnecessary referrals. In this letter the authors seek to analyze implementation of a direct patient to dermatologist model in a Veteran Health Administration (VHA) patient population, referred to as patient-assisted teledermatology. This population is largely over the age of 65 and a significant portion are either without internet or have the minimum technology necessary to participate in the studied model. Owing to these observations and personal experiences, the authors found the implementation process of a patient-assisted model to be challenging in this population.

UI MeSH Term Description Entries
D003880 Dermatology A medical specialty concerned with the skin, its structure, functions, diseases, and treatment.
D006284 Health Plan Implementation Those actions designed to carry out recommendations pertaining to health plans or programs. Health Plan Implementations,Implementation, Health Plan,Implementations, Health Plan,Plan Implementation, Health,Plan Implementations, Health
D006297 Health Services Accessibility The degree to which individuals are inhibited or facilitated in their ability to gain entry to and to receive care and services from the health care system. Factors influencing this ability include geographic, architectural, transportational, and financial considerations, among others. Access To Care, Health,Access to Care,Access to Contraception,Access to Health Care,Access to Health Services,Access to Medications,Access to Medicines,Access to Therapy,Access to Treatment,Accessibility of Health Services,Availability of Health Services,Contraception Access,Contraceptive Access,Medication Access,Accessibility, Health Services,Contraceptive Availability,Health Services Geographic Accessibility,Program Accessibility,Access to Cares,Access to Contraceptions,Access to Medication,Access to Medicine,Access to Therapies,Access to Treatments,Access, Contraception,Access, Contraceptive,Access, Medication,Accessibilities, Health Services,Accessibility, Program,Availability, Contraceptive,Care, Access to,Cares, Access to,Contraception, Access to,Contraceptive Accesses,Health Services Availability,Medication Accesses,Medication, Access to,Medicine, Access to,Medicines, Access to,Therapy, Access to,Treatment, Access to
D006801 Humans Members of the species Homo sapiens. Homo sapiens,Man (Taxonomy),Human,Man, Modern,Modern Man
D000368 Aged A person 65 years of age or older. For a person older than 79 years, AGED, 80 AND OVER is available. Elderly
D014481 United States A country in NORTH AMERICA between CANADA and MEXICO.
D014493 United States Department of Veterans Affairs A cabinet department in the Executive Branch of the United States Government concerned with overall planning, promoting, and administering programs pertaining to VETERANS. It was established March 15, 1989 as a Cabinet-level position. United States Veterans Administration,Veterans Administration (U.S.),Veterans Affairs (U.S.),United States Veterans' Administration,United States. Dept. of Veterans Affairs,Veterans Administration
D014728 Veterans Former members of the armed services. Veteran
D017216 Telemedicine Delivery of health services via remote telecommunications. This includes interactive consultative and diagnostic services. Tele-Care,Tele-ICU,Tele-Intensive Care,Tele-Referral,Telecare,Virtual Medicine,Mobile Health,Telehealth,eHealth,mHealth,Health, Mobile,Medicine, Virtual,Tele Care,Tele ICU,Tele Intensive Care,Tele Referral,Tele-Referrals

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