Investigating the factors enabling the accurate implementation of the patient-assisted teledermatology model during the pandemic in Turkey: A pilot study. 2021

Çağrı Turan, and Zeynep Utlu
Department of Dermatology and Venereology, the Republic of Turkey, Health Sciences University Erzurum Regional Training and Research Hospital, Erzurum, Turkey.

We aim to investigate the factors enabling the accurate implementation of the patient-assisted teledermatology model during the pandemic in our country. This single-center, a prospective-survey study was enrolled consecutively 468 patients aged 13 years and older. The patients were asked about their attitudes towards teledermatology. After the dermatological examinations, the diagnosis and management of the diseases, and classification of diseases according to lesion locations were recorded. The physician's and the patient's opinions on whether it was possible to manage properly the current medical condition through teledermatology were recorded. The patients stated that 81.2% have been keen to use teledermatology for any complaints during the pandemic. 53.7% of the patients who are positive to use teledermatology expressed that they would never use this method unless it is fully reimbursed. Although it was thought that 49.8% of the current complaints according to the patients and 56.6% to the dermatologists could be resolved appropriately by teledermatology, for 24.8% either the patient's or the physician's opinion was contrary. Being woman, high-income level, and the presence of facial dermatosis favorably affected the patients' and physicians' evaluations regarding the suitability of the complaint to teledermatology. Factors such as low education level, insufficient technical skills to be examined alone, and the necessity of undressing for examination caused patients to consider teledermatology unsuitable for their current complaints. Priority should be given to the development of an appropriate reimbursement system and reducing potential medicolegal risks to encourage patients to participate in high-quality teledermatology.

UI MeSH Term Description Entries
D010865 Pilot Projects Small-scale tests of methods and procedures to be used on a larger scale if the pilot study demonstrates that these methods and procedures can work. Pilot Studies,Pilot Study,Pilot Project,Project, Pilot,Projects, Pilot,Studies, Pilot,Study, Pilot
D011446 Prospective Studies Observation of a population for a sufficient number of persons over a sufficient number of years to generate incidence or mortality rates subsequent to the selection of the study group. Prospective Study,Studies, Prospective,Study, Prospective
D003880 Dermatology A medical specialty concerned with the skin, its structure, functions, diseases, and treatment.
D005260 Female Females
D006801 Humans Members of the species Homo sapiens. Homo sapiens,Man (Taxonomy),Human,Man, Modern,Modern Man
D000293 Adolescent A person 13 to 18 years of age. Adolescence,Youth,Adolescents,Adolescents, Female,Adolescents, Male,Teenagers,Teens,Adolescent, Female,Adolescent, Male,Female Adolescent,Female Adolescents,Male Adolescent,Male Adolescents,Teen,Teenager,Youths
D014421 Turkey Country in Southeastern Europe and Southwestern Asia bordering the Black Sea, between Bulgaria and Georgia, and bordering the Aegean Sea and the Mediterranean Sea, between Greece and Syria. The capital is Ankara. Turkiye
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
D058873 Pandemics Epidemics of infectious disease that have spread to many countries, often more than one continent, and usually affecting a large number of people. Pandemic

Related Publications

Çağrı Turan, and Zeynep Utlu
November 2019, Dermatology online journal,
Çağrı Turan, and Zeynep Utlu
June 2022, Studies in health technology and informatics,
Çağrı Turan, and Zeynep Utlu
October 2020, Journal of cosmetic dermatology,
Çağrı Turan, and Zeynep Utlu
June 2020, Journal of drugs in dermatology : JDD,
Çağrı Turan, and Zeynep Utlu
February 2021, Journal of drugs in dermatology : JDD,
Çağrı Turan, and Zeynep Utlu
December 2023, Current dermatology reports,
Çağrı Turan, and Zeynep Utlu
May 2024, Telemedicine journal and e-health : the official journal of the American Telemedicine Association,
Çağrı Turan, and Zeynep Utlu
January 2011, Journal of telemedicine and telecare,
Çağrı Turan, and Zeynep Utlu
April 2020, Acta clinica Belgica,
Copied contents to your clipboard!