title: Building a global teledermatology collaboration.
abstract: Skin disease is common in low-resource countries and is associated with significant morbidity. The disease burden is often heightened by lack of access to adequate diagnosis and treatment. Teledermatology is a growing healthcare delivery modality that allows access to subspecialty care at a distance. This article describes how a low-cost teledermatology program was launched through collaboration between the Medical College of Wisconsin and Hillside Healthcare International. Several factors are required for a teledermatology program to be successful, beginning with a partnership between two entities that targets a locally identified need and is mutually beneficial to invested partners. The program should utilize the expertise of each partner, be based on an agreed upon process with clearly defined objectives, and protect patient privacy. After a program is implemented, adaptation to address challenges and best meet the needs of all parties involved will allow for continued success and sustainability. This process can serve as a model for other programs desiring to establish similar teledermatology partnerships in an academic setting.
authors.affiliation: Medical College of Wisconsin, Hillside Healthcare International, Milwaukee, WI, USA.
authors.forename: Melanie
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Bobbs
authors.affiliation: Medical College of Wisconsin, Hillside Healthcare International, Milwaukee, WI, USA.
authors.forename: Michelle
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Bayer
authors.affiliation: Medical College of Wisconsin, Hillside Healthcare International, Milwaukee, WI, USA.
authors.forename: Tifany
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Frazer
authors.affiliation: Medical College of Wisconsin, Hillside Healthcare International, Milwaukee, WI, USA.
authors.forename: Stephen
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Humphrey
authors.affiliation: Medical College of Wisconsin, Hillside Healthcare International, Milwaukee, WI, USA.
authors.forename: Barbara
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Wilson
authors.affiliation: Medical College of Wisconsin, Hillside Healthcare International, Milwaukee, WI, USA.
authors.forename: Edit
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Olasz
authors.affiliation: Medical College of Wisconsin, Hillside Healthcare International, Milwaukee, WI, USA.
authors.forename: Kristen
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Holland
authors.affiliation: Medical College of Wisconsin, Hillside Healthcare International, Milwaukee, WI, USA.
authors.forename: Jacquelyn
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Kuzminski
mesh_terms: D001531:Belize; D003299:Cooperative Behavior; D003695:Delivery of Health Care / Q000379:methods / Q000458:organization & administration*; D003880:Dermatology / Q000458:organization & administration*; D003906:Developing Countries; D014943:Global Health; D006801:Humans; D008507:Medically Underserved Area; D020380:Needs Assessment; D009938:Organizations / Q000458:organization & administration; D016730:Program Development; D012577:Schools, Medical / Q000458:organization & administration; D012871:Skin Diseases / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000628:therapy; D017216:Telemedicine / Q000458:organization & administration*; D014922:Wisconsin