[Diagnostic reliability of an asynchronous teledermatology consultation]

Abstract

Objective: To analyze the diagnostic agreement rate between primary care, an asynchronous teledermatology consultation, and a conventional dermatology consultation.

Design: Prospective non-randomized concordance study.

Setting: Dermatology Service in Hospital Son Llàtzer (Palma de Mallorca) and primary care centers of Sóller and Arenal (Mallorca).

Participants: Patients have been included from December 2005 to July 2008, sent by teleconsultation (n=158).

Main measurements: Analysis of primary care, teledermatology consultation and face-to-face consultation diagnosis, in mentioned period of time. Calculation of kappa index of concordance.

Results: 158 teleconsultations have been made from December 2005 to July 2008, 94 (59,5%) women, and 64 (40,5%) men, aged from 9 to 96 years old (average, 55 years old). After grouping the diagnosis in categories, the distribution was: 48 (37,2%) benign tumours, 39 (30,2%) inflammatory and appendages diseases, 15 (11,6%) infectious diseases, 14 (10,9%) malignant tumours, and 13 (10,1%) premalignant tumours. In grouped diagnosis, concordance was 59,8% (CI 95%, 50-70%) (P<.0001) for general practitioner and 94,7% (CI 95%, 90-99%) (P<.0001) for teledermatologist.

Conclusions: The main advantage of asynchronous teledermatology is the improvement of the quality triage, allowing the detection of malignant or suspicious lesions. However, we need more comparable studies on a larger scale to evaluate the disadvantages (photographic technique limitation, evaluation of other lesions, legal aspects, professional motivation...).

Figures

Figura 1

Distribución temporal del número de teleconsultas por centros de salud.

Figura 2

Motivos de consulta: diagnósticos agrupados.