Telemedicine in Dermatology

Written by leading teledermatologists and telemedicine experts, this hands-on guide addresses the practical needs of the many emerging teledermatology services worldwide. It covers the medical and technical prerequisites for such services as well as the photographic imaging essentials. It also illustrates the performance of teledermatology by means of clinical examples, discusses teledermatology in underdeveloped countries, and presents specialized methods of teledermatology. The impact of telemedicine on the doctor-patient relationship is explored, and the advantages that accrue from improving access to expert knowledge are explained. In addition, quality assurance, legal assumptions, economic aspects, and the future horizons of such health care services are all considered. A comprehensive appendix provides information on training opportunities, sample protocols, consent forms, information sheets, references, and relevant web links.

Introduction to Teledermatology.- Historical Review.- Medical Prerequisites.- Technical Prerequisites.- Photographic Imaging Essentials.- Performance of Teledermatology including Clinical Examples.- Teledermatology in Underdeveloping Countries.- Special Methods of Teledermatology.- Teledermatology and Reflectance Confocal Microscopy Quality Assurance.- Legal Assumptions.- Economic Aspects and Cost-effectiveness.- Future Horizons.- APPENDIX: Education and Training Opportunities.- Quality Certificate Teledermatology.- Sample Protocol, Consent Form and Information Sheet.- References and Relevant Web links.- Glossary.- Subject Index.

H. Peter Soyer, chair of the Dermatology Group at the University of Queensland in Brisbane/Australia, is one of the pioneers of teledermatology and co-founder and current president of the International Society of Teledermatology. Michael Binder, Professor of Dermatology at the Department of Dermatology, Medical University of Vienna/Austria, is a dermatologist with special expertise in health technology assessment and quality assurance issues. Anthony C. Smith has a PhD in Telehealth and is currently Deputy Director at the Centre of Online Health of the University of Queensland in Brisbane/Australia.