Methodology A web based consult system has been built at the Walter Reed Army Medical Center. It allows the capture and storing of information for later retrieval. Unlike the more costly Live video conferencing which requires that both patient and the remote physician be available at the same time. It is web based which means that anyone with internet access can use the system. The consult system is template based in order to optimize the collection of information about the patient's skin condition.
Encryption is built in to for security.
The new consults are saved in the system until an available dermatologist logs into the website and answers the consult usuall twice a day. Based on the first 100 questionnaires, the referring physicians felt that they had increased their dermatologic knowledge due to the immediate electronic feedback from the consultant. Referring physicians are better trained and better overall dermatologic care to our patient population was acheived. Diagnostic Correlation A comparison of diagnoses from 15 dermatologists with over 400 patients was interpreted. The combined diagnostic correlation rate by category of skin diseas overall were high, including pigmented lesions.