Teledermatology [49] is the provision of dermatology services without the need to consult a
dermatologist in person. This procedure exists thanks to improvements and a higher ease of
access to technologies such as the internet and dermatoscopes as well as the average cameras
being able to obtain higher quality images.With improvements to the camera and dermatoscopes
an average camera can be extended by a simple dermatoscope. This makes it able to capture
images of a worrying skin lesion with dermoscopic-like quality. These images along with a
description are sent through the internet to a queue. The queue is processed by
teleconsultants (that are dermatologists). They determine if the lesion requires immediate
attention if the data is inconclusive or if it is benign. This feedback is given typically
within a 24 hour period [49].This method brings several advantages. An immediate opinion is not
required allowing specialists time to verify their conclusion. Despite usually taking 24 hours
to provide a response it is a significant improvement to the current wait time to see a
dermatologist. Lastly this procedure allows access to dermatology care in remote regions where
an expert might not be available.Despite these advantages there has not been a consensus if
teledermatology is comparable to dermatology. However at its lowest point it provided results
slightly inferior to those of dermatology [49]. These results indicate that teledermatology is
a viable way to streamline the triage of patients ensuring the most urgent ones get treatment
sooner. This improves the e ciency of the work time of the dermatologists as the healthier
patients will not necessitate a physical consultation.
