The Teledermatology Experience: Cost Savings and Image Quality Control.
Matthew M WallaceAmber J HackstadtZijun ZhaoJames R PatrinelyJohn ZicDarrel EllisLynn PaulMiliyard SultanBrandon DanfordAllison M HanlonPublished in: Telemedicine journal and e-health : the official journal of the American Telemedicine Association (2023)
Introduction: Teledermatology adoption continues to increase, in part, spurred by the COVID-19 pandemic. This study analyzes the utility and cost savings of a store-and-forward teledermatology consultative system within the Veterans Health Administration (VA). Methods: Retrospective cohort of 4,493 patients across 14 remote sites in Tennessee and Kentucky from May 2017 through August 2019. The study measured the agreement between the teledermatology diagnoses and follow-up face-to-face clinic evaluations as well as the cost effectiveness of the teledermatology program over the study period. Results: Fifty-four percent of patients were recommended for face-to-face appointment for biopsy or further evaluation. Most patients, 80.5% received their face-to-face care by a VA dermatologist. There was a high level of concordance between teledermatologist and clinic dermatologist for pre-malignant and malignant cutaneous conditions. Veterans were seen faster at a VA clinic compared with a community dermatology site. Image quality improved as photographers incorporated teledermatologist feedback. From a cost perspective, teledermatology saved the VA system $1,076,000 in community care costs. Discussion: Teledermatology is a useful diagnostic tool within the VA system providing Veteran care at a cost savings.
Keyphrases
- end stage renal disease
- healthcare
- ejection fraction
- newly diagnosed
- chronic kidney disease
- peritoneal dialysis
- skin cancer
- mental health
- prognostic factors
- palliative care
- quality improvement
- public health
- image quality
- computed tomography
- quality control
- cross sectional
- climate change
- chronic pain
- risk assessment
- electronic health record
- pain management
- health information