Journal of Clinical & Experimental Dermatology Research
Open Access

Abstract

Teledermatology in Chile: Implementation of a Single National System

Gatica Monsalve José Luis, Aedo Inostroza Gabriel Ignacio*, Letelier María, Sabando Vezna, Loubies Rodrigo, Fuenzalida Héctor, Aragón-Caqueo Diego and Gabriel Martínez

Introduction: Teledermatology (TD) allows the delivery of timely and quality care.

Although the implementation of local systems has shown to provide good levels of resolvability, the implementation of a single system at the national level allows reaching all geographical areas in a uniform and timely manner.

Objective: To describe the results of the implementation of a unified national TD system in Chile.

Methods: Observational-retrospective study of electronic interconsultations (EIs) resolved by TD specialty in national teledermatology system from December 1st, 2018, to December 31st, 2020.

Results: A total of 49,211 electronic interconsultations from all geographic areas of Chile. From these, 57.55% received a diagnosis and treatment that could be delivered in a Primary Health Care (PHC), thus, preventing the inadequate referral of 28,321 patients to the secondary level. The most frequent specific diagnoses were: melanocytic nevus 8.86% (n:4364), Non-melanoma skin cancer 8.73% (n:4294) and irritant contact dermatitis 8.2%(n:4037). From the sample, female sex accounted for 29,942(60.8%) of the consultations. Age and latency in the resolution of median EI/interquartile range were 43/24 years and 3.5/6.4 days respectively. Finally, the diagnostic agreement between the TD specialist and the PHC physician was 71.03%.

Conclusion: The implementation of a single national TD system, which incorporates a high volume of IE and all the geographical areas of Chile, has shown to have high levels of resolvability, low waiting times, and a high level of resolution canters of origin. This could be an alternative to optimize healthcare attention in the public system of low to middle-income countries.

Published Date: 2022-04-28; Received Date: 2022-03-28