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Gierek M, Kitala D, Łabuś W, Glik J, Szyluk K, Pietrauszka K, Bergler-Czop B, Niemiec P. The Impact of Telemedicine on Patients with Hidradenitis Suppurativa in the COVID-19 Era. Healthcare (Basel) 2023; 11:healthcare11101453. [PMID: 37239740 DOI: 10.3390/healthcare11101453] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/04/2023] [Revised: 05/11/2023] [Accepted: 05/15/2023] [Indexed: 05/28/2023] Open
Abstract
(1) Background: Hidradenitis suppurativa is a chronic, inflammatory skin disease. It is characterized by the transformation of normal skin into skin with abscesses, nodules, tunnels, and scars. The most commonly affected areas are the armpits, groins, buttocks, and subscapular area. Patients with HS require constant care under the supervision of the outpatient clinic. Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, consultations have been introduced in the form of telemedicine. The aim of this study was to evaluate the availability of HS treatment during the COVID-19 pandemic and to assess patient satisfaction, problems with access to medical care, and the impact of the pandemic on the course of the disease. (2) Methods: An internet survey with an anonymous questionnaire was used to assess the effectiveness of telemedicine consultations. The survey consisted of 25 closed questions, and responses were kept fully anonymous. (3) Results: Most respondents reported minor problems with accessing specialized HS medical care during the COVID-19 pandemic (n = 25, 35.71%). However, 35.71% (n = 25) of them reported major problems with appointments for specialized ambulatory treatment during the last few months of the pandemic, mainly due to delayed appointments. Almost half of the respondents had been diagnosed with COVID-19 (n = 34, 48.57%), and 58.57% (n = 41) of respondents did not see a correlation between COVID-19 infection and HS progression. (4) Conclusions: Our study showed that the pandemic significantly limited access to medical advice, and patients with hidradenitis suppurativa prefer standard consultations.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marcin Gierek
- Dr Sakiel Center for Burns Treatment, Jana Pawła II Street 2, 41-100 Siemianowice Śląskie, Poland
| | - Diana Kitala
- Dr Sakiel Center for Burns Treatment, Jana Pawła II Street 2, 41-100 Siemianowice Śląskie, Poland
| | - Wojciech Łabuś
- Dr Sakiel Center for Burns Treatment, Jana Pawła II Street 2, 41-100 Siemianowice Śląskie, Poland
| | - Justyna Glik
- Dr Sakiel Center for Burns Treatment, Jana Pawła II Street 2, 41-100 Siemianowice Śląskie, Poland
- Department of Organisation of Chronic Wound Healing, Faculty of Health Sciences in Katowice, Medical University of Silesia in Katowice, 40-055 Katowice, Poland
| | - Karol Szyluk
- Department of Physiotherapy, Faculty of Health Sciences in Katowice, Medical University of Silesia in Katowice, 40-752 Katowice, Poland
- District Hospital of Orthopaedics and Trauma Surgery, Bytomska 62 Street, 41-940 Piekary Slaskie, Poland
| | - Kornelia Pietrauszka
- Department of Dermatology, Medical University of Silesia in Katowice, Francuska Street, 40-027 Katowice, Poland
| | - Beata Bergler-Czop
- Department of Dermatology, Medical University of Silesia in Katowice, Francuska Street, 40-027 Katowice, Poland
| | - Paweł Niemiec
- Department of Biochemistry and Medical Genetics, School of Health Sciences in Katowice, Medical University of Silesia in Katowice, Medykow Street 18, 40-752 Katowice, Poland
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Martora F, Fabbrocini G, Megna M, Scalvenzi M, Battista T, Villani A, Potestio L. Teledermatology for Common Inflammatory Skin Conditions: The Medicine of the Future? Life (Basel) 2023; 13:life13041037. [PMID: 37109566 PMCID: PMC10146182 DOI: 10.3390/life13041037] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/23/2023] [Revised: 04/09/2023] [Accepted: 04/16/2023] [Indexed: 04/29/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND The COVID-19 pandemic period revolutionized daily clinical practice. Several strategies were adopted by clinicians to avoid reducing treatment for diseases without the risk of spreading the infection. Among the adopted strategies, telemedicine played a key role. In this scenario, several tools were used, including e-mails, phone calls, video calls, support groups, and messages. Fortunately, the COVID-19 pandemic period seems to be at an end. However, the use of teledermatology appears to be an excellent strategy for the future as well. Indeed, several patients may benefit from teledermatology. OBJECTIVE In this manuscript, we aim to investigate the use of telemedicine in the dermatological field to point out how this tool may become the mainstay of future medicine. Only the use of teledermatology with common inflammatory skin conditions have been reported herein. MATERIALS AND METHODS Investigated manuscripts included metanalyses, reviews, letters to the editor, real-life studies, case series, and reports. Manuscripts were identified, screened, and extracted for relevant data following the PRISMA (preferred reporting items for systematic reviews and meta-analyses) guidelines. RESULTS A total of 121 records were identified from the analyzed databases. However, only 110 articles were assessed for eligibility. Finally, 92 articles were selected at the end of the literature research for our review. CONCLUSIONS Teledermatology should be considered as a viable option for the dermatologist for the future. We believe that the pandemic has strengthened this service, and this will allow for ever better development in the future. Guidelines regarding the use of teledermatology are required as well as additional improvements for the future.
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Affiliation(s)
- Fabrizio Martora
- Section of Dermatology, Department of Clinical Medicine and Surgery, University of Naples Federico II, Via Pansini 5, 80131 Napoli, Italy
| | - Gabriella Fabbrocini
- Section of Dermatology, Department of Clinical Medicine and Surgery, University of Naples Federico II, Via Pansini 5, 80131 Napoli, Italy
| | - Matteo Megna
- Section of Dermatology, Department of Clinical Medicine and Surgery, University of Naples Federico II, Via Pansini 5, 80131 Napoli, Italy
| | - Massimiliano Scalvenzi
- Section of Dermatology, Department of Clinical Medicine and Surgery, University of Naples Federico II, Via Pansini 5, 80131 Napoli, Italy
| | - Teresa Battista
- Section of Dermatology, Department of Clinical Medicine and Surgery, University of Naples Federico II, Via Pansini 5, 80131 Napoli, Italy
| | - Alessia Villani
- Section of Dermatology, Department of Clinical Medicine and Surgery, University of Naples Federico II, Via Pansini 5, 80131 Napoli, Italy
| | - Luca Potestio
- Section of Dermatology, Department of Clinical Medicine and Surgery, University of Naples Federico II, Via Pansini 5, 80131 Napoli, Italy
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Long V, Choi ECE, Chen Z, Kamil MAA, Rajagopalan M, McMeniman E, Chandran NS. Dermatologists' Perceptions of the Use of Teledermatology in Managing Hidradenitis Suppurativa: Survey Study. JMIR DERMATOLOGY 2023; 6:e43910. [PMID: 37632921 PMCID: PMC10335133 DOI: 10.2196/43910] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/29/2022] [Revised: 12/16/2022] [Accepted: 01/08/2023] [Indexed: 01/11/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND The field of teledermatology has expanded tremendously and has been used for conditions including hidradenitis suppurativa (HS). However, due to the sensitive location of lesions, HS may be considered less suitable for teledermatology. OBJECTIVE We sought to assess dermatologists' experiences and perceptions toward using teledermatology for HS relative to atopic dermatitis (AD) as a comparison. METHODS A survey was disseminated electronically to practicing dermatologists in the Asia-Pacific region between February and June 2022. Differences in attitudes and perceptions between HS and AD were compared using random-effects ordered logistic regression, controlling for demographics. RESULTS A total of 100 responses were obtained comprising of 76 (81.7%) dermatologists and 17 (18.3%) dermatology trainees; 62.6% (62/98) of physicians were uncomfortable with using teledermatology for HS. Multivariable regression confirmed increased perceived challenges with managing HS using teledermatology compared to AD. These challenges include the need for photography of hard-to-reach or sensitive areas (odds ratio [OR] 4.71, 95% CI 2.44-9.07; P<.001), difficulties in accurate assessment of severity (OR 2.66, 95%CI 1.48-4.79; P=.001), and inability to palpate lesions (OR 2.27, 95% CI 1.23-4.18; P=.009). CONCLUSIONS This study confirms the relative reluctance of dermatologists to use teledermatology for HS and complements existing data showing mixed levels of willingness from patients. The use of teledermatology for HS may need to be optimized to overcome these challenges, including increasing security features, selection of patients with milder or limited diseases, and selecting patients with an established and strong doctor-patient relationship.
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Affiliation(s)
- Valencia Long
- Division of Dermatology, Department of Medicine, National University Hospital, Singapore, Singapore
| | - Ellie Ci-En Choi
- Division of Dermatology, Department of Medicine, National University Hospital, Singapore, Singapore
| | - Zhaojin Chen
- Biostatistics Unit, Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine, National University of Singapore, Singapore, Singapore
| | | | | | - Erin McMeniman
- Department of Dermatology, Princess Alexandra Hospital, Brisbane, Australia
| | - Nisha Suyien Chandran
- Division of Dermatology, Department of Medicine, National University Hospital, Singapore, Singapore
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Ruggiero A, Martora F, Fabbrocini G, Villani A, Marasca C, Megna M, Fornaro L, Comune R, Potestio L. The Role of Teledermatology During the COVID-19 Pandemic: A Narrative Review. Clin Cosmet Investig Dermatol 2022; 15:2785-2793. [PMID: 36569420 PMCID: PMC9783831 DOI: 10.2147/ccid.s377029] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/02/2022] [Accepted: 12/14/2022] [Indexed: 12/23/2022]
Abstract
Teledermatology represented one of the most important and useful tools during the COVID-19 pandemic era. Indeed, due to the severe restriction, and to reduce the spread of the infection, different measures were applied among different countries and hospitals to ensure a continuity of care for patients. In this scenario, teledermatology played a central role, especially in the management of patients suffering from chronic inflammatory skin diseases. The aim of this narrative review is to describe the role of teledermatology during the COVID-19 pandemic to analyze main strengths and limitations of this tool, as well as to provide future perspectives in clinical applications.
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Affiliation(s)
- Angelo Ruggiero
- Section of Dermatology, Department of Clinical Medicine and Surgery, University of Naples Federico II, Naples, Italy,Correspondence: Angelo Ruggiero, Section of Dermatology, Department of Clinical Medicine and Surgery, University of Naples Federico II, Via Pansini, 5, Naples, 80131, Italy, Tel +39 - 081 - 7462457, Fax +39 - 081 - 7462442, Email
| | - Fabrizio Martora
- Section of Dermatology, Department of Clinical Medicine and Surgery, University of Naples Federico II, Naples, Italy
| | - Gabriella Fabbrocini
- Section of Dermatology, Department of Clinical Medicine and Surgery, University of Naples Federico II, Naples, Italy
| | - Alessia Villani
- Section of Dermatology, Department of Clinical Medicine and Surgery, University of Naples Federico II, Naples, Italy
| | - Claudio Marasca
- Section of Dermatology, Department of Clinical Medicine and Surgery, University of Naples Federico II, Naples, Italy
| | - Matteo Megna
- Section of Dermatology, Department of Clinical Medicine and Surgery, University of Naples Federico II, Naples, Italy
| | - Luigi Fornaro
- Section of Dermatology, Department of Clinical Medicine and Surgery, University of Naples Federico II, Naples, Italy
| | - Rosita Comune
- Department of Precision Medicine, University of Campania Luigi Vanvitelli, Naples, Italy
| | - Luca Potestio
- Section of Dermatology, Department of Clinical Medicine and Surgery, University of Naples Federico II, Naples, Italy
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