Affiliation:
1. Department of Dermatology and Allergy TUM School of Medicine and Health, Technical University of Munich Munich Germany
2. Pettenkofer School of Public Health Munich Germany
3. Institute for Medical Information Processing, Biometry, and Epidemiology—IBE, LMU Munich Germany
4. OnlineDoctor 24 GmbH Hamburg Germany
Abstract
AbstractBackground and AimsTelemedicine, including teledermatology, has become a central component of modern medicine. Its importance, especially during the COVID‐19 pandemic, underlines its potential to optimize access to dermatological care. The study aims to assess the potential of teledermatology, understand the importance of linking digital and physical practices, and analyze the adoption of online services based on participants' demographic and experiential factors.MethodsThis cross‐sectional survey was conducted among users of the telemedicine platform from July 2022 to March 2023. The platform ("OnlineDoctor") allows users to contact dermatologists for remote dermatological consultations. The survey included questions about the participants' dermatological concerns, their reasons for using teledermatology, their satisfaction with the recommendations and their willingness to continue using telemedicine in the future. Data was collected via the RedCap online platform. Descriptive statistics and regression analyses were carried out.ResultsOverall, 1141 people participated in the study (mean age 44.0 years [SD 14.6], 61.4% women). Results showed that 52.7% of participants with skin conditions had not consulted a dermatologist in the previous year. Shorter waiting times and the lack of face‐to‐face appointments were the main reasons for using the online platform. In total, 77.6% (n = 885) of participants indicated they would use teledermatology as their first choice if they had an upcoming skin condition. Age, gender, and satisfaction with previous consultations impacted the use of teledermatology as the first choice for future skin conditions.ConclusionTeledermatology is characterized by various benefits, including reduced waiting times and improved accessibility to treatment. Nevertheless, the study underscores the importance of a hybrid care approach involving direct interaction with physicians. Teledermatology can be transformative in meeting dermatologic needs, mainly when traditional face‐to‐face consultation is limited. A deep understanding of user preferences and widespread adoption of digital services can pave the way for the successful adoption of teledermatology platforms, improving healthcare accessibility and efficiency.