Prospective observational comparative study assessing the role of store and forward teledermatology triage in skin cancer
Abstract
In the UK, patients with suspected cancer should be seen within 2 weeks of referral, and treatment commenced within 62 days. We investigated store-and-forward teledermatology triage for melanoma and squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) at a skin-cancer clinic. Electronic referral and digital photography were assessed together to allocate priority. Data were collected prospectively for 1 year and compared with conventional referral. In the photograph group, we upgraded all patients with malignant lesions who were not referred urgently. In the comparison group, seven patients (9%) were not upgraded and six (8%) were downgraded. Median wait to clinic for photographed patients with melanoma was 14 days and 13.5 days for SCC. Without photographs, urgent cases were seen after a median of 24 days. In the photograph group, all but one melanoma and 60% of patients with SCC were treated within 62 days. In the group without photographs, 68% of patients with melanoma and < 50% of patients with SCC were treated within 62 days. These data support photographic triage as a useful tool for improving prioritization and reducing waiting times.
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Many countries have tested the use of telemedicine in dermatology as a way to increase access to health care services when distance is a critical factor.
“Many countries have tested the use of telemedicine in dermatology as a way to increase access to health care services when distance is a critical factor [18-26].”
From Use of Smartphones for Early Detection of Melanoma: Systematic Review (2018) · cites this paper as [26]
Cites
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- Authors
- May, C., Giles, L., & Gupta, G.
- Affiliations
- Monklands Hospital (GB)
- Hairmyres Hospital (GB)
- Venue
- Clinical and Experimental Dermatology
- Publisher
- Oxford University Press (OUP)
- Published
- 2008-11
- Volume
- 33
- Issue
- 6
- Pages
- 736-739
- ISSN
- 0307-6938 (ISSN-L)
- 1365-2230
- OpenAlex
- W2040965700
- Cited by
- 43
- References
- 10
- Citations by year
- 2026: 1 · 2025: 3 · 2024: 2 · 2022: 4 · 2020: 2 · 2018: 4 · 2017: 3 · 2015: 7 · 2014: 1 · 2013: 4 · 2012: 1
- FWCI
- 1.93
- Type
- journal article
- Language
- en
- Open access
- closed
- Locations
- Clinical and Experimental Dermatology (publishedVersion)
- PubMed (publishedVersion)
- Topics
- Health Sciences › Medicine › Oncology › Cutaneous Melanoma Detection and Management
- Health Sciences › Medicine › Public Health, Environmental and Occupational Health › Telemedicine and Telehealth Implementation
- Social Sciences › Business, Management and Accounting › Organizational Behavior and Human Resource Management › Healthcare Systems and Technology
- Keywords
- store-and-forward teledermatology, triage, melanoma, squamous cell carcinoma, skin cancer, digital photography, electronic referral, waiting time, urgent referral, treatment delay
- MeSH terms
- Carcinoma, Squamous Cell, Humans, Melanoma, Photography, Prospective Studies, Referral and Consultation, Scotland, Signal Processing, Computer-Assisted, Skin Neoplasms, Time Factors, Triage, Telemedicine, Dermoscopy
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