Telediagnosis with Confocal Microscopy: A Reality or a Dream?
Reflectance confocal microscopy (RCM) is becoming more popular among dermatologists aiming to improve their bedside diagnostic accuracy and reduce unnecessary removal of benign cutaneous lesions. With increased interest in the field, limitation of experts, and dedicated training programs, telemedicine application to RCM (teleconfocal) helps to connect patients with experts at a distance. Diagnostic accuracy of store-and-forward telemedicine review of RCM images, patient safety, and cost-effectiveness are important considerations for proper acceptance and usage of the technology in the medical community.
Department of Dermatology, University of Modena and Reggio Emilia, Via del Pozzo 71, 41100 Modena, Italy. Electronic address: alexander.witkowski@unimore.it.
Alexander
A
Witkowski
Department of Bioinformatics and Telemedicine, Jagiellonian University Medical College, ul. Sw. Łazarza 16, 31-530 Krakow, Poland.
Joanna
J
Łudzik
Dermatology Research Centre, Translational Research Institute, School of Medicine, The University of Queensland, 37 Kent Street Woolloongabba QLD 4102, Australia.
H Peter
HP
Soyer
D000067917:Cloud Computing; D006801:Humans; D000069416:Intravital Microscopy; D018613:Microscopy, Confocal; D012871:Skin Diseases / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging; D012878:Skin Neoplasms / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging*; D017216:Telemedicine
Confocal microscopy; Dermoscopy; Tele-confocal; Teledermatology; Telemedicine