title: Teledermatology via a social networking web site: a pilot study between a general hospital and a rural clinic.
abstract: Teledermatology via a free public social networking Web site is a practical tool to provide attention to patients who do not have access to dermatologic care. In this pilot study, a general practitioner sent consults to a dermatology department at a general hospital via Facebook(®). Forty-four patients were seen and treatment was installed. We identified both simple-to-treat, common skin diseases and rare congenital diseases that require genetic counseling and more complex treatment. The majority of patients (75%) benefited with the diagnoses and treatments offered, thus avoiding unnecessary expenses or transportation to urban areas.
authors.affiliation: Department of Dermatology, Hospital General Dr. Manuel Gea González, Mexico City, Mexico. teregarro@gmail.com
authors.forename: Maria Teresa
authors.initials: MT
authors.lastname: Garcia-Romero
authors.forename: Fernanda
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Prado
authors.forename: Judith
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Dominguez-Cherit
authors.forename: Maria Teresa
authors.initials: MT
authors.lastname: Hojyo-Tomomka
authors.forename: Roberto
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Arenas
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D003880:Dermatology / Q000191:economics / Q000379:methods / Q000458:organization & administration*; D005260:Female; D006769:Hospitals, General / Q000191:economics / Q000458:organization & administration / Q000639:trends; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010865:Pilot Projects; D019114:Remote Consultation / Q000191:economics / Q000379:methods / Q000458:organization & administration*; D019035:Rural Health Services / Q000191:economics / Q000458:organization & administration / Q000639:trends; D012871:Skin Diseases / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000628:therapy*; D060756:Social Networking; D055815:Young Adult