Fast Facts: Psoriasis

Teledermatology is the third book in the Royal Society of Medicine Teledermatology series, its predecessors being The Legal and Ethical Aspects of Telemedicine and Introduction to Telemedicine . The book is divided into four sections. The first is an introduction, but deals particularly with digital technology applied to teledermatology. The second section describes different dermatology applications throughout the world. This is followed by a section on distance-based learning in dermatology. The final section primarily looks to the future, but also includes teledermatology standards. A little while ago, digital technology lagged behind conventional camera equipment and image transfer and video equipment was still relatively in its infancy. Today however, digital technology can produce images of the skin which can almost replace seeing a patient in real life. The introduction gives a background to teledermatology and this is followed by an in depth examination of image production and storage together with teledermatology concepts. This is followed by teledermatology developments, primarily in America, but also with European developments. Perhaps the under-representation of UK experience here reflects the current divided opinion amongst UK dermatologists as to the merits of teledermatology against the background of relative underprovision of dermatological manpower. Next, education for patients, and medical teaching, is described, with detailed use of the internet for on-line medical education, again something perhaps UK dermatology lags behind in. The future is perhaps the most interesting section in this useful book. Perhaps many UK dermatologists have not become actively involved in telemedicine, concerned over issues such as confidentiality, standards, and how we should use telemedicine in dermatology. The chapter describing teledermatology in developing countries is of interest, and a chapter deals with the economics of teledermatology in the UK and New Zealand which concludes that both real-time and store-and-forward teledermatology techniques should improve the overall standard of health care delivery. This is a conclusion similar to other workers’ findings in different parts of the world. Mobile teledermatology, delivering the equipment to the patient, and automated melanoma diagnosis, are areas where perhaps teledermatology might ultimately head, bringing expert systems to the skin in the field . The book was not conceived as a review but more a state of the art experience from experts globally, and concludes that still more research is necessary, particularly looking at how teledermatology may be integrated into day-to-day practice. It looks as if teledermatology is here to stay, and increasingly clinicians will inevitably be involved in its practice. It is up to us, as a profession, to embrace new technology when it can benefit our practice, and the book is a useful complement to existing literature on telemedicine and teledermatology. However, it is more likely to find a place in departments either already involved in, or about to embark upon teledermatology or telemedicine work, rather than being a routine reference work. The bias of the book, in some areas, towards particular areas of teledermatology, perhaps reflects today’s experience, where not everyone, but certain departments or enthusiasts, tend to be involved in the subject.