title: Effect of real-time teledermatology on diagnosis, treatment and clinical improvement.
abstract: We assessed the effect of real-time teledermatology consultations on diagnosis and disease management, patients' quality of life and time- and cost-savings. All consecutive patients with skin diseases attending teledermatology clinics at two rural hospitals in Jordan were included in the study. Patients were interviewed at their initial visit and again after eight weeks. Various questionnaires and forms, including quality of life questionnaires, were used to collect the data. Ninety teledermatology consultations were performed for 88 patients between September 2013 and January 2014. A diagnosis was established as part of the teledermatology consultation in 43% of patients and changed from that of the referring provider in 19% of patients. The treatment plan was established for 67% of patients and changed for 9% patients. The mean SF-8 score increased significantly (P < 0.005). The mean DLQI score decreased significantly (P < 0.005) indicating that there had been an improvement in the patients' quality of life since baseline. Most patients perceived that the visit to the teledermatology clinic required less travel time (96%), shorter waiting time (83%) and less cost (96%) than a visit to the specialist clinic at the main hospital. The patients' mean satisfaction score was 90.5 (SD 8.5), indicating a high level of satisfaction. Teledermatology resulted in changes in the patients' diagnosis and treatment plan, and was associated with improved health state and quality of life.
authors.affiliation: Hashemite University, Zarqa, Jordan.
authors.forename: Hanadi A
authors.initials: HA
authors.lastname: Al Quran
authors.affiliation: Jordan University of Science and Technology, Irbid, Jordan yskhader@just.edu.jo.
authors.forename: Yousef Saleh
authors.initials: YS
authors.lastname: Khader
authors.affiliation: Ministry of Health, Amman, Jordan.
authors.forename: Ziad Mohd
authors.initials: ZM
authors.lastname: Ellauzi
authors.affiliation: Hashemite University, Zarqa, Jordan.
authors.forename: Amjad
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Shdaifat
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D003880:Dermatology / Q000379:methods*; D005260:Female; D017048:Health Care Costs; D006801:Humans; D007597:Jordan; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D017063:Outcome Assessment, Health Care; D017060:Patient Satisfaction; D011788:Quality of Life; D019114:Remote Consultation / Q000191:economics / Q000592:standards*; D012871:Skin Diseases / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000628:therapy; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D014850:Waiting Lists; D055815:Young Adult