Beam’s Guide to Dermatology Telemedicine
- Jacob Wisda
- 0
- on Mar 18, 2022
Dermatology Telemedicine is the Future of Skincare
Dermatology is one of the most popular and misunderstood fields in medicine. Many patients assume dermatologists only treat cosmetic issues, or that primary care providers can do most of their work. In actuality, skin health has a huge bearing on any patient’s general wellbeing. So, to make skin treatment more accessible, dermatology telemedicine is here to help.
While it’s true that dermatologists handle cosmetic problems, that isn’t the full story. Rashes, melanoma, psoriasis, and a range of other issues fall under dermatology’s umbrella. On top of that, plenty of serious conditions first appears on the skin. No matter how you look at it, skincare is central to disease prevention and treatment.
While patients assume that dermatologists offer a niche service, they put themselves at risk. As such, dermatology telemedicine has the opportunity to offer care patients don’t even know they need. So, to do our part, Beam is here to help. By explaining the ins and outs of teledermatology, we can show how this service is essential.
How Does Remote Dermatology Work?
Telemedicine dermatology uses the same tools most virtual providers are familiar with. By meeting with patients over video chat, clinicians can discuss symptoms and possible diagnoses. It’s important to note that many skin issues show visual symptoms. As such, looking at the skin through a high-quality video chat will save a lot of time.
Teledermatologists may also use home telemedicine kits. If a skin lesion could point to one of many different conditions, providers are at the ready. Home kits contain the swabs and containers needed to take and store a sample. From here, patients send their kit to a lab for further testing.
Telemedicine’s toolkit allows teledermatologists to treat a wide range of conditions [1]. Providers can examine acne, itching, and rashes for signs of an underlying disease. They can also provide care and medication for Rosacea, Eczema, and Psoriasis. Finally, practices can manage prescriptions and provide refills on their client’s medication.
How Effective is Dermatology Telemedicine?
Unlike many other healthcare fields, dermatology is almost entirely visually-dependent. This means talented clinicians can form a diagnosis with one well-conducted examination. In some cases, the ineffective use of telehealth creates a barrier between patient and provider. But when dermatologists take advantage of their tools, they offer incredible care from the comfort of home.
When hosting high-quality video conferences, virtual care is very effective. Several studies on telemedicine dermatology prove that remote practices are reliable [2]. Teledermatology helps the field take several important strides forward.
Dermatology telemedicine makes skin-based healthcare more accessible. Because of its cost and the limited number of specialists in any given area, large parts of the population never see a dermatologist. All the while, skin cancer morbidity is on the rise. Teledermatology offers life-saving treatment with fewer overhead costs to the clinic.
Because remote clinics cost less to run, the price of entry goes down. Across all specializations, telehealth services tend to cost less than in-person care. On top of that, most insurance companies bill virtual visits the same way they would a walk-in [3]. All in all, dermatology telemedicine makes necessary treatment more available than ever before.
What Sets Virtual Dermatology Apart?
While dermatology has cosmetic uses, telemedicine leans into its medical function. The majority of patients go to teledermatologists for checkups and diagnoses. From here, providers offer treatment plans that are impossible without telemedicine.
First, telemedicine opens the door to remote patient monitoring. Virtual health services already use the tools needed to keep tabs on a patient. Home kits contain the items needed to read a patient’s vitals and get a general impression of their health. On top of that, patients can reach out to their provider when an emergency or change in symptoms occurs.
Remote care is also built to make networking with other providers simple. Telemedicine platforms store patient information within HIPAA-compliant channels. From here, clinicians can share relevant medical information with other practices. Whether a primary care specialist sends their patient to a dermatologist or vice versa, remote care makes the process fast and easy.
Finally, telemedicine platforms help clinics share educational resources. Outside of a video chat, providers can send clients resources to learn more about their condition. Some clinics host their videos, PDFs, and FAQs to help patients. But even practices without these tools may direct patients to other websites for clarification.
Dermatology telemedicine services may be new, but they promise high-quality treatment. Whether your patients’ needs are cosmetic or medical, teledermatologists offer much-needed care. And to show our commitment to virtual healthcare, Beam offers one year of free access to our platform. Click here to see if your clinic qualifies.
Sources:
[1] https://www.apderm.com/treatment/teledermatology/