Access to a Dermatologist within 24hrs – Case Study

FACD Certified Dermatologists often reside in busy cities and other metropolitan areas. This places pressure on regional Australians to travel into the more urban areas to seek dermatologist consultation. Travelling from regional Australia means long car trips, days off work and other related expenses. ­­If the travel wasn’t bad enough, most patients also need to wait on average, anywhere from 4 – 8 months before they can have their dermatologist consultation.

However, recently Teledermatologist was able to deliver a dermatologist consultation within 24hr of the GP creating the referral. Here is an example of the timeline. 

Wednesday

Around mid-afternoon, Teledermatologist received a referral from a regional medical center for a skin condition a local GP needed assistance diagnosing. 

Later that afternoon, the GP clinic’s administration team called (02 4960 8277) Teledermatologist to discuss our next availability & when the patient could return to the GP’s clinic for the Teledermatology consultation. There was an availability at both the GP’s clinic & with our specialist on the next day. Teledermatologist then called the patient to confirm that they wanted to lock in a teledermatology consultation for the next day.

Before 5pm, the patient had confirmed that they wanted the appointment & the GP’s clinic had been notified of the returning patient.

Thursday

On Thursday morning the patient had sent Teledermatologist coordinators (coordinator@teledermatologist.com.au) their patient registration form & the photos of the skin issue. By early afternoon, the teledermatology consultation took place & the patient’s skin issue was diagnosed. Moments later the letter had been sent back to the GP & a patient care program was underway.

Easier access to available times! 

Coming early in February 2020, Teledermatologist will have an online booking platform which Doctors and/or Reception staff can book Dermatology consultations that matches the dates and times of the Patient, GP or Nurse (attending the consultation with the patient) and Tele-health consultation room. The patients referral, consent form and four photos of the skin condition will still need to be emailed.

Summary

Within 24hrs the patient had visited a GP for a consultation, had a referral made to visit a dermatologist & then conducted a consultation with a dermatologist via Teledermatologist. The patient received a diagnosis and prescription for the medication they required.

The Teledermatologist team prides ourselves on providing Dermatology consultations to patients within a 2 week window, thus truly making Teledermatology a ‘Dermatologist near me’ Australia wide.

All Teledermatologist Dermatologists are Fellows of the Australasian College of Dermatologists (FACD) and based in Australia.