JMIR Publications

ABSTRACT

Background:

Covid-19 disease pandemic caused nationwide lockdown which led to disruption in health services. Despite being a rising health care modality in the country, virtual dermatology service became an effective tool to provide dermatology-related services through online consultation in the entire nation. Therefore, we planned this study to know about the implementation of teledermatology service at our center to provide uninterrupted health service across the country during a pandemic.

Objective:

To evaluate the clinic-demographic profile of patients using teledermatology service and patient acceptance for this service.

Methods:

A retrospective observational single-center study was done. Clinico-demographic data from the patients using teledermatology service were obtained and analyzed. A set of questionnaires regarding the patient acceptance of teledermatology service were asked to the patients through a survey via phone calls and the data obtained were interpreted.

Results:

A total of 122 teleconsultations were done within the country. The mean age of patients was 33.48 ± 17.89 years. Out of 122 patients, 79 patients (64.8%) were from outside and 43 patients (35.2%) from inside the city where the institute is located. The average distance from the institute to the patient’s residence was approximately 144.84 ± 157.20 Km and the mean travel time was approximately 385.31 min ± 889.52 min. Eighty-nine patients could be contacted back, out of which 81 patients (91%) found the service easy to use, 75 patients (84.3%) were able to express their problems as similar to direct visits, 49 patients (55.05 %) thought teleconsultation was the same as an in-person visit, 80 patients (89.9%) were satisfied, and 85 patients (95.5%) agreed to use teledermatology service in the future. Superficial fungal infection was the most common diagnosis (24.6 %). New registered patients were more satisfied in comparison to follow-up patients (96.36 % new cases versus 79.41% follow-up cases, P=0.01).

Conclusions:

This study highlights the importance of virtual dermatology service to deliver dermatological services in the present scenario in Nepal. In the future, this program has a promising role in providing health care services to meet the medical need of patients.