FrequentlyAsked Questions (FAQs):
TeleDerm Solutions brings
the convenience of telemedicine to the field of dermatology. Healthcare
costs are rising in response to an aging population, and primary-care
physicians are seeing an increase in demand for dermatologic services.
The uneven distribution/shortage of general clinical dermatologists who
can quickly diagnose and treat these problems makes it difficult and
expensive for some patients to receive care. TeleDerm Solutions provides
a cost-effective alternative to traditional dermatology consultations
and allows primary-care physicians to submit consults to specialized,
board-certified dermatologists from any location. Instead of requiring
patients to schedule referral appointments - which can often take weeks
or even months to schedule - physicians can use digital imaging and the
Internet to consult with a qualified member of the TeleDerm
Solution‘s dermatologist network. Where office visits can average
almost 15 minutes, a Teledermatologist can diagnose a condition and
recommend treatment in as little as 5 minutes.
1. Is this Real Time Video or Store and
Forward?
- Our application utilizes
the store and forward technology to link patients and providers to
dermatologists.
Back
2. Why not use Real Time Video instead of
Digital Images?
- Cost is higher with real
time video
- Difficult to schedule
dermatologists by real time
- High volume typically
cannot be managed using real time
- Resolution is
significantly lower using real time
Back
3. Why should my organization consider
using teledermatology?
- Improve access to
dermatologists
- Reduce cost
- Improve productivity
(RVU)
- Improve the quality of
dermatologic care by primary care providers
Back
4. What are the associated
costs?
- Costs are based on the
needs of the customers. After a few minutes, we can typically evaluate
your needs and what you need to get started. Let us know what your
needs are and we will take it from there. We will prepare a quote for
you within hours.
Back
5. What do I need to start a
teledermatology program?
- A Digital Camera, PC,
Internet Access (DSL or Cable)
- A trained Technician/
Consult manager
- A Secure method to
transmit and send consults with images
- A Business Process for
your organization
- A Business Model
Back
6. Why should I get help with this? It
seems pretty simple…I take pictures and send them via email to a
dermatologist. Actually, it’s not that simple:
- First, starting a
teledermatology program is not easy. It takes significant training to
ensure that reliable and quality images are captured. In addition, one
needs to develop a business model and a process that can be integrated
into the organization’s way of doing business day to day.
- Second, you cannot use
regular email as it violates HIPAA regulations. You need to ensure
that the system is secure, encrypted and that you have processes which
protect patient information and privacy.
- Finally, you need to take
into account the human factor and ensure you get appropriate buy-in
from various users.
Back
7. How do I know if teledermatology is
right for our organization?
If you are
a Dermatologist
- You are interested in
expanding your business using teledermatology and by combining
teledermatology and physician extenders
- You are interested in
performing follow ups for many of your patients especially those with
cosmetic procedures.
- You want help those
patients from remote locations or indigent populations who otherwise
could not get your care
If you are a primary care
provider
- You want to increase
your earnings by seeing more patients with skin disease (higher CPT
reimbursement)
- You want to improve your
knowledge in dermatology
- You do not have adequate
access to dermatologists
- You want to manage your
patients with skin conditions without having to send them to a
dermatologist.
If you are an
organization
- You have an interest in
increasing revenue or productivity for dermatology
- You have no or difficult
access to dermatologists
- You want to improve the
quality of dermatologic care by primary care providers
Back
8. Will patients accept this
technology?
- Studies have been done
which show wide acceptance and high satisfaction. Please remember that
the choice is not dermatology versus teledermatology. It is rather a
choice of waiting 2-6 months to see a dermatologist or waiting 1 week
or less for the results of a consult using teledermatology.
Back
