Skip to main content
Top
Published in: Current Dermatology Reports 4/2023

14-12-2023 | Telemedicine | REVIEW

Teledermatology Lessons During the COVID-19 Pandemic

Authors: Zachary Brown, Allison Dobry

Published in: Current Dermatology Reports | Issue 4/2023

Login to get access

Abstract

Purpose of review

The purpose of this review is to highlight the parallel changes in practice, regulatory, and reimbursement patterns for teledermatology before, during, and after the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic.

Recent findings

There was a sharp increase in teledermatology utilization by both patients and dermatologists during the COVID-19 pandemic. The rise in teledermatology use can be attributed to governmental changes in regulation that allowed greater flexibility in care delivery as well as a higher degree of access and payment parity for teledermatology as compared to in-person dermatology.

Summary

The confluence of a greater need for virtual care in conjunction with a more permissive regulatory environment and equitable pay structure was the impetus for teledermatology becoming a standard model of healthcare delivery in the USA. Whether teledermatology will continue to a viable model in the future years, however, will be dependent on whether these regulatory and payment structures can remain in place for the long term.
Literature
1.
go back to reference •• Lee JJ, English JC. Teledermatology: a review and update. Am J Clin Dermatol. 2018;19(2):253–60. This is a comprehensive text on the history of teledermatology and general types ot teledermatology there are. •• Lee JJ, English JC. Teledermatology: a review and update. Am J Clin Dermatol. 2018;19(2):253–60. This is a comprehensive text on the history of teledermatology and general types ot teledermatology there are.
3.
go back to reference Gonçalves L, Cunha C. Telemedicine project in the Azores Islands. Arch Anat Cytol Pathol. 1995;43(4):285–7.PubMed Gonçalves L, Cunha C. Telemedicine project in the Azores Islands. Arch Anat Cytol Pathol. 1995;43(4):285–7.PubMed
4.
go back to reference Menn ER, Kvedar JC. Teledermatology in a changing health care environment. Telemed J Off J Am Telemed Assoc. 1995;1(4):303–8. Menn ER, Kvedar JC. Teledermatology in a changing health care environment. Telemed J Off J Am Telemed Assoc. 1995;1(4):303–8.
5.
6.
go back to reference Murphy RL, Fitzpatrick TB, Haynes HA, Bird KT, Sheridan TB. Accuracy of dermatologic diagnosis by television. Arch Dermatol. 1972;105(6):833–5.CrossRefPubMed Murphy RL, Fitzpatrick TB, Haynes HA, Bird KT, Sheridan TB. Accuracy of dermatologic diagnosis by television. Arch Dermatol. 1972;105(6):833–5.CrossRefPubMed
7.
go back to reference Tensen E, van der Heijden JP, Jaspers MWM, Witkamp L. Two decades of teledermatology: current status and integration in national healthcare systems. Curr Dermatol Rep. 2016;5:96–104.CrossRefPubMedPubMedCentral Tensen E, van der Heijden JP, Jaspers MWM, Witkamp L. Two decades of teledermatology: current status and integration in national healthcare systems. Curr Dermatol Rep. 2016;5:96–104.CrossRefPubMedPubMedCentral
8.
go back to reference Xiang DH, He LD, Nambudiri VE, LaChance A. Trends in dermatology telehealth uptake in Medicare beneficiaries from 2010 to 2020: a retrospective cross-sectional analysis. J Am Acad Dermatol. 2023;88(5):1214–5.CrossRefPubMed Xiang DH, He LD, Nambudiri VE, LaChance A. Trends in dermatology telehealth uptake in Medicare beneficiaries from 2010 to 2020: a retrospective cross-sectional analysis. J Am Acad Dermatol. 2023;88(5):1214–5.CrossRefPubMed
10.
go back to reference Gronbeck C, Grant-Kels JM, Lu J, Feng H. Increased utilization of teledermatology among Medicare part B beneficiaries during the COVID-19 pandemic. Clin Dermatol. 2022;40(6):760–3.CrossRefPubMedPubMedCentral Gronbeck C, Grant-Kels JM, Lu J, Feng H. Increased utilization of teledermatology among Medicare part B beneficiaries during the COVID-19 pandemic. Clin Dermatol. 2022;40(6):760–3.CrossRefPubMedPubMedCentral
11.
go back to reference Marinelli S, Basile G, Zaami S. Telemedicine, Telepsychiatry and COVID-19 pandemic: future prospects for global health. Healthc Basel Switz. 2022;10(10):2085. Marinelli S, Basile G, Zaami S. Telemedicine, Telepsychiatry and COVID-19 pandemic: future prospects for global health. Healthc Basel Switz. 2022;10(10):2085.
12.
go back to reference Levine DM, Ouchi K, Blanchfield B, Saenz A, Burke K, Paz M, et al. Hospital-level care at home for acutely ill adults: a randomized controlled trial. Ann Intern Med. 2020;172(2):77–85.CrossRefPubMed Levine DM, Ouchi K, Blanchfield B, Saenz A, Burke K, Paz M, et al. Hospital-level care at home for acutely ill adults: a randomized controlled trial. Ann Intern Med. 2020;172(2):77–85.CrossRefPubMed
14.
go back to reference Hoffman DA. Increasing access to care: telehealth during COVID-19. J Law Biosci. 2020;7(1):lsaa043. Hoffman DA. Increasing access to care: telehealth during COVID-19. J Law Biosci. 2020;7(1):lsaa043.
19.
go back to reference Kane S, Admani S. COVID-19 pandemic leading to the accelerated development of a virtual health model for isotretinoin. J Dermatol Nurses Assoc. 2021;13(1):54–7.CrossRefPubMed Kane S, Admani S. COVID-19 pandemic leading to the accelerated development of a virtual health model for isotretinoin. J Dermatol Nurses Assoc. 2021;13(1):54–7.CrossRefPubMed
20.
go back to reference Pathoulas JT, Farah RS, Fiessinger L, Mansh M. An opportunity for improvement: iPLEDGE policy changes during the coronavirus pandemic. Dermatol Ther. 2020;33(6):e14411.CrossRefPubMedPubMedCentral Pathoulas JT, Farah RS, Fiessinger L, Mansh M. An opportunity for improvement: iPLEDGE policy changes during the coronavirus pandemic. Dermatol Ther. 2020;33(6):e14411.CrossRefPubMedPubMedCentral
22.
go back to reference Ibrahim AE, Magdy M, Khalaf EM, Mostafa A, Arafa A. Teledermatology in the time of COVID-19. Int J Clin Pract. 2021;75(12): e15000.CrossRefPubMed Ibrahim AE, Magdy M, Khalaf EM, Mostafa A, Arafa A. Teledermatology in the time of COVID-19. Int J Clin Pract. 2021;75(12): e15000.CrossRefPubMed
23.
go back to reference SteelFisher GK, McMurtry CL, Caporello H, Lubell KM, Koonin LM, Neri AJ, et al. Video telemedicine experiences in COVID-19 were positive, but physicians and patients prefer in-person care for the future. Health Aff Proj Hope. 2023;42(4):575–84.CrossRef SteelFisher GK, McMurtry CL, Caporello H, Lubell KM, Koonin LM, Neri AJ, et al. Video telemedicine experiences in COVID-19 were positive, but physicians and patients prefer in-person care for the future. Health Aff Proj Hope. 2023;42(4):575–84.CrossRef
24.
go back to reference •• Lin SK, Deitermann AM, Miller CJ, Garg A, Ungar J, Nguyen HP. Evolving teledermatology policy and reimbursement landscape in the United States. JAAD Int. 2023;29(11):200–8. This is an important update on policy change and reimbursement patterns for teledermatology within the United States. •• Lin SK, Deitermann AM, Miller CJ, Garg A, Ungar J, Nguyen HP. Evolving teledermatology policy and reimbursement landscape in the United States. JAAD Int. 2023;29(11):200–8. This is an important update on policy change and reimbursement patterns for teledermatology within the United States.
25.
go back to reference •• Kennedy J, Arey S, Hopkins Z, Tejasvi T, Farah R, Secrest AM, et al. Dermatologist perceptions of teledermatology implementation and future use after COVID-19: demographics, barriers, and insights. JAMA Dermatol. 2021;157(5):595–7. This manuscript focuses on the impact of COVID-19 on popularity of teledermatology among dermatologists. •• Kennedy J, Arey S, Hopkins Z, Tejasvi T, Farah R, Secrest AM, et al. Dermatologist perceptions of teledermatology implementation and future use after COVID-19: demographics, barriers, and insights. JAMA Dermatol. 2021;157(5):595–7. This manuscript focuses on the impact of COVID-19 on popularity of teledermatology among dermatologists.
26.
go back to reference Dobry A, Almanza J, Stavert R. Teledermatology: platforms. In: English III JC, editor. Teledermatology: a comprehensive overview [Internet]. Cham: Springer International Publishing; 2023 [cited 2023 Aug 14]. p. 1–8. (Updates in Clinical Dermatology). Available from: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-031-27276-9_1. Dobry A, Almanza J, Stavert R. Teledermatology: platforms. In: English III JC, editor. Teledermatology: a comprehensive overview [Internet]. Cham: Springer International Publishing; 2023 [cited 2023 Aug 14]. p. 1–8. (Updates in Clinical Dermatology). Available from: https://​doi.​org/​10.​1007/​978-3-031-27276-9_​1.
27.
go back to reference Resneck JS, Abrouk M, Steuer M, Tam A, Yen A, Lee I, et al. Choice, transparency, coordination, and quality among direct-to-consumer telemedicine websites and apps treating skin disease. JAMA Dermatol. 2016;152(7):768–75.CrossRefPubMed Resneck JS, Abrouk M, Steuer M, Tam A, Yen A, Lee I, et al. Choice, transparency, coordination, and quality among direct-to-consumer telemedicine websites and apps treating skin disease. JAMA Dermatol. 2016;152(7):768–75.CrossRefPubMed
28.
go back to reference Vidmar DA. The history of teledermatology in the Department of Defense. Dermatol Clin. 1999;17(1):113–24, ix. Vidmar DA. The history of teledermatology in the Department of Defense. Dermatol Clin. 1999;17(1):113–24, ix.
29.
go back to reference Rosenbaum BE, Campion CH, Cohen JM, Latkowski JA. The department of defense: pioneers of early teledermatology. Dermatol Online J. 2017;23(2):13030/qt84v5t8vd. Rosenbaum BE, Campion CH, Cohen JM, Latkowski JA. The department of defense: pioneers of early teledermatology. Dermatol Online J. 2017;23(2):13030/qt84v5t8vd.
30.
go back to reference Jallow M, Ewulu A, Ajilore P, Hussain AN, Geng X, Cardis MA. Analyzing disparities in access to teledermatology compared with dermatology clinic visits before, during, and after COVID-19 quarantine. Clin Dermatol [Internet]. 2023;41(1). Available from: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/36336317/. Jallow M, Ewulu A, Ajilore P, Hussain AN, Geng X, Cardis MA. Analyzing disparities in access to teledermatology compared with dermatology clinic visits before, during, and after COVID-19 quarantine. Clin Dermatol [Internet]. 2023;41(1). Available from: https://​pubmed.​ncbi.​nlm.​nih.​gov/​36336317/​.
31.
go back to reference Resneck JS, Isenstein A, Kimball AB. Few Medicaid and uninsured patients are accessing dermatologists. J Am Acad Dermatol. 2006;55(6):1084–8.CrossRefPubMed Resneck JS, Isenstein A, Kimball AB. Few Medicaid and uninsured patients are accessing dermatologists. J Am Acad Dermatol. 2006;55(6):1084–8.CrossRefPubMed
32.
go back to reference Alghothani L, Jacks SK, Vander Horst A, Zirwas MJ. Disparities in access to dermatologic care according to insurance type. Arch Dermatol. 2012;148(8):956–7.CrossRefPubMed Alghothani L, Jacks SK, Vander Horst A, Zirwas MJ. Disparities in access to dermatologic care according to insurance type. Arch Dermatol. 2012;148(8):956–7.CrossRefPubMed
33.
go back to reference Uscher-Pines L, Malsberger R, Burgette L, Mulcahy A, Mehrotra A. Effect of teledermatology on access to dermatology care among Medicaid enrollees. JAMA Dermatol. 2016;152(8):905–12.CrossRefPubMed Uscher-Pines L, Malsberger R, Burgette L, Mulcahy A, Mehrotra A. Effect of teledermatology on access to dermatology care among Medicaid enrollees. JAMA Dermatol. 2016;152(8):905–12.CrossRefPubMed
34.
go back to reference Bezalel S, Fabri P, Park HS. Implementation of store-and-forward teledermatology and its associated effect on patient access in a veterans affairs dermatology clinic. JAMA Dermatol. 2015;151(5):556–7.CrossRefPubMed Bezalel S, Fabri P, Park HS. Implementation of store-and-forward teledermatology and its associated effect on patient access in a veterans affairs dermatology clinic. JAMA Dermatol. 2015;151(5):556–7.CrossRefPubMed
35.
go back to reference Chansky PB, Simpson CL, Lipoff JB. Implementation of a dermatology teletriage system to improve access in an underserved clinic: a retrospective study. J Am Acad Dermatol. 2017;77(5):975–7.CrossRefPubMed Chansky PB, Simpson CL, Lipoff JB. Implementation of a dermatology teletriage system to improve access in an underserved clinic: a retrospective study. J Am Acad Dermatol. 2017;77(5):975–7.CrossRefPubMed
36.
go back to reference Zakaria A, Maurer T, Su G, Amerson E. Impact of teledermatology on the accessibility and efficiency of dermatology care in an urban safety-net hospital: a pre-post analysis. J Am Acad Dermatol. 2019;81(6):1446–52.CrossRefPubMed Zakaria A, Maurer T, Su G, Amerson E. Impact of teledermatology on the accessibility and efficiency of dermatology care in an urban safety-net hospital: a pre-post analysis. J Am Acad Dermatol. 2019;81(6):1446–52.CrossRefPubMed
37.
go back to reference Dobry A, Begaj T, Mengistu K, Sinha S, Droms R, Dunlap R, et al. Implementation and impact of a store-and-forward teledermatology platform in an urban academic safety-net health care system. Telemed J E-Health Off J Am Telemed Assoc. 2021;27(3):308–15. Dobry A, Begaj T, Mengistu K, Sinha S, Droms R, Dunlap R, et al. Implementation and impact of a store-and-forward teledermatology platform in an urban academic safety-net health care system. Telemed J E-Health Off J Am Telemed Assoc. 2021;27(3):308–15.
38.
go back to reference Miller J, Ioffreda P, Nugent S, Jones E. Demographic data associated with digital inequity reported in patient-to-provider teledermatology studies in the United States from 2011 to 2021: scoping review. JMIR Dermatol [Internet]. 2023;6. Available from: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/36938315/. Miller J, Ioffreda P, Nugent S, Jones E. Demographic data associated with digital inequity reported in patient-to-provider teledermatology studies in the United States from 2011 to 2021: scoping review. JMIR Dermatol [Internet]. 2023;6. Available from: https://​pubmed.​ncbi.​nlm.​nih.​gov/​36938315/​.
39.
go back to reference Buster KJ, Stevens EI, Elmets CA. Dermatologic health disparities. Dermatol Clin. 2012;30(1):53–9, viii. Buster KJ, Stevens EI, Elmets CA. Dermatologic health disparities. Dermatol Clin. 2012;30(1):53–9, viii.
40.
go back to reference Mahmood F, Bendayan S, Ghazawi FM, Litvinov IV. Editorial: the emerging role of artificial intelligence in dermatology. Front Med. 2021;8:751649.CrossRef Mahmood F, Bendayan S, Ghazawi FM, Litvinov IV. Editorial: the emerging role of artificial intelligence in dermatology. Front Med. 2021;8:751649.CrossRef
41.
go back to reference Pannu S, Nguyen BM, Yang FSC, Rosmarin D. Predictors of patient experience with teledermatology in setting of COVID-19 pandemic in a single medical center. Int J Dermatol. 2021;60(5):626–7.CrossRefPubMed Pannu S, Nguyen BM, Yang FSC, Rosmarin D. Predictors of patient experience with teledermatology in setting of COVID-19 pandemic in a single medical center. Int J Dermatol. 2021;60(5):626–7.CrossRefPubMed
42.
go back to reference Coustasse A, Sarkar R, Abodunde B, Metzger BJ, Slater CM. Use of teledermatology to improve dermatological access in rural areas. Telemed J E-Health Off J Am Telemed Assoc. 2019;25(11):1022–32. Coustasse A, Sarkar R, Abodunde B, Metzger BJ, Slater CM. Use of teledermatology to improve dermatological access in rural areas. Telemed J E-Health Off J Am Telemed Assoc. 2019;25(11):1022–32.
43.
go back to reference Becker AL, Witkowski A, Ludzik J. Inequities in geriatric access to teledermatology and smartphone dermoscopy. Dermatol Rep. 2023;15(2):9612. Becker AL, Witkowski A, Ludzik J. Inequities in geriatric access to teledermatology and smartphone dermoscopy. Dermatol Rep. 2023;15(2):9612.
44.
go back to reference Eberly LA, Khatana SAM, Nathan AS, Snider C, Julien HM, Deleener ME, et al. Telemedicine outpatient cardiovascular care during the COVID-19 pandemic: bridging or opening the digital divide? Circulation. 2020;142(5):510–2.CrossRefPubMedPubMedCentral Eberly LA, Khatana SAM, Nathan AS, Snider C, Julien HM, Deleener ME, et al. Telemedicine outpatient cardiovascular care during the COVID-19 pandemic: bridging or opening the digital divide? Circulation. 2020;142(5):510–2.CrossRefPubMedPubMedCentral
45.
go back to reference Hadeler E, Prose N, Floyd LP. Teledermatology: how it is impacting the underserved. Pediatr Dermatol. 2021;38(6):1597–600.CrossRefPubMed Hadeler E, Prose N, Floyd LP. Teledermatology: how it is impacting the underserved. Pediatr Dermatol. 2021;38(6):1597–600.CrossRefPubMed
46.
go back to reference Hartford EA, Carlin K, Rutman LE, Lion KC. Changes in rates and modality of interpreter use for pediatric emergency department patients in the COVID-19 era. Jt Comm J Qual Patient Saf. 2022;48(3):139–46.PubMed Hartford EA, Carlin K, Rutman LE, Lion KC. Changes in rates and modality of interpreter use for pediatric emergency department patients in the COVID-19 era. Jt Comm J Qual Patient Saf. 2022;48(3):139–46.PubMed
47.
go back to reference Zakaria A, Miclau TA, Maurer T, Leslie KS, Amerson E. Cost minimization analysis of a teledermatology triage system in a managed care setting. JAMA Dermatol. 2021;157(1):52–8.CrossRefPubMed Zakaria A, Miclau TA, Maurer T, Leslie KS, Amerson E. Cost minimization analysis of a teledermatology triage system in a managed care setting. JAMA Dermatol. 2021;157(1):52–8.CrossRefPubMed
48.
go back to reference Datta SK, Warshaw EM, Edison KE, Kapur K, Thottapurathu L, Moritz TE, et al. Cost and utility analysis of a store-and-forward teledermatology referral system: a randomized clinical trial. JAMA Dermatol. 2015;151(12):1323–9.CrossRefPubMed Datta SK, Warshaw EM, Edison KE, Kapur K, Thottapurathu L, Moritz TE, et al. Cost and utility analysis of a store-and-forward teledermatology referral system: a randomized clinical trial. JAMA Dermatol. 2015;151(12):1323–9.CrossRefPubMed
49.
go back to reference Pak HS, Datta SK, Triplett CA, Lindquist JH, Grambow SC, Whited JD. Cost minimization analysis of a store-and-forward teledermatology consult system. Telemed J E-Health Off J Am Telemed Assoc. 2009;15(2):160–5. Pak HS, Datta SK, Triplett CA, Lindquist JH, Grambow SC, Whited JD. Cost minimization analysis of a store-and-forward teledermatology consult system. Telemed J E-Health Off J Am Telemed Assoc. 2009;15(2):160–5.
50.
go back to reference Paquette S, Lin JC. Outpatient telemedicine program in vascular surgery reduces patient travel time, cost, and environmental pollutant emissions. Ann Vasc Surg. 2019;59:167–72.CrossRefPubMed Paquette S, Lin JC. Outpatient telemedicine program in vascular surgery reduces patient travel time, cost, and environmental pollutant emissions. Ann Vasc Surg. 2019;59:167–72.CrossRefPubMed
51.
go back to reference Bynum AB, Irwin CA, Cranford CO, Denny GS. The impact of telemedicine on patients’ cost savings: some preliminary findings. Telemed J E-Health Off J Am Telemed Assoc. 2003;9(4):361–7.CrossRef Bynum AB, Irwin CA, Cranford CO, Denny GS. The impact of telemedicine on patients’ cost savings: some preliminary findings. Telemed J E-Health Off J Am Telemed Assoc. 2003;9(4):361–7.CrossRef
52.
go back to reference Morton CA, Downie F, Auld S, Smith B, van der Pol M, Baughan P, et al. Community photo-triage for skin cancer referrals: an aid to service delivery. Clin Exp Dermatol. 2011;36(3):248–54.CrossRefPubMed Morton CA, Downie F, Auld S, Smith B, van der Pol M, Baughan P, et al. Community photo-triage for skin cancer referrals: an aid to service delivery. Clin Exp Dermatol. 2011;36(3):248–54.CrossRefPubMed
53.
go back to reference Hsiao JL, Oh DH. The impact of store-and-forward teledermatology on skin cancer diagnosis and treatment. J Am Acad Dermatol. 2008;59(2):260–7.CrossRefPubMed Hsiao JL, Oh DH. The impact of store-and-forward teledermatology on skin cancer diagnosis and treatment. J Am Acad Dermatol. 2008;59(2):260–7.CrossRefPubMed
Metadata
Title
Teledermatology Lessons During the COVID-19 Pandemic
Authors
Zachary Brown
Allison Dobry
Publication date
14-12-2023
Publisher
Springer US
Published in
Current Dermatology Reports / Issue 4/2023
Electronic ISSN: 2162-4933
DOI
https://doi.org/10.1007/s13671-023-00416-6

Other articles of this Issue 4/2023

Current Dermatology Reports 4/2023 Go to the issue