JMIR Publications

ABSTRACT

Teledermatology has evolved as a branch of dermatology meeting the unmet health care need globally and in rural parts of countries. This scenario of lack of medical resources and expertise is portrayed in Afro-Asian region. With the surge of technological advancements, internet, WIFI’s and mobile phones with cameras across every corner of the world, its utilization for righteous purpose has also been well established. Nepal lies in a geo-topographically complex terrain in between two of the world’s largest economies-the China and India. Because of the geo-topographical complexities, certain regions of this mountainous country are still untouched by road or air transport facilities. To aid on to the ailing humanity, largely attributed to poverty and underdevelopment, humanitarian endeavors via clinicians’ initiative have helped provide rural health service across Africa and South Asia. Clinicians make voluntary contributions by participating in free health camp in rural terrains. However, this can only be done every once in a while, and may not be available in times of dire emergencies. Given the socioeconomic condition of people from rural terrain, telemedicine including teledermatology can be deployed widely across as a nationwide program. Teledermatology comprises of two modalities of consultations- store and forward with images, and direct video consultations. As compared to real time consultations, store and forward consultations can be reviewed at a feasible time for clinicians and appropriate treatment can be provided. Given the well corroborated diagnostic and therapeutic equivalence of teledermatology with face-to-face consultation, utilization of teledermatology in rural terrain seems justifiable.