Electronic Dermatology Consultation

How can mobile technology be used to streamline dermatology consultations in the primary care setting?

Sponsored by Hamilton Family Health Team

Who is the Hamilton Family Health Team?

The Hamilton Family Health Team is the largest, serving approximately 250,000 people and was built on the “platform” of the H-W HSO Mental Health and Nutrition Programme.

The Hamilton Family Health Team includes:

· 129 physicians serving approximately 250,000 patients
· 114 Nurses and Nurse Practitioners
· 20 Registered Dietitians
· 77 Mental Health Counsellors
· 22 psychiatrists
· 7 pharmacists

The Problem

Through OTN, the Hamilton Family Heath Team is running a pilot project called Telederm to facilitate dermatology consultations in the primary care setting. In the LHIN 4 catchment area, dermatologists are in short supply, with waiting periods for a consultations running anywhere from 6 to 8 months.

The present Telederm system is extremely complicated and time consuming and is a barrier to having practices participate and increase utilization. Multiple logins, double entry of patient demographics and clinical data, downloading and uploading of digital photos, a messaging and reporting system which is restrictive, are all barriers.

The opportunity is to use iPhone/iPad with the utility of the OS to streamline the whole process, increase efficiency and ultimately provide much better patient care.

Wish List

· Secure submission
· Simple photo op iPhone or iPad/camera connection kit
· Transfer demographic info from EMR to app
· Simple menu driven screens to record clinical info
· Clinical info itemized to facilitate derm database
· Simplified reporting
· Copy and paste in EMR
· Patient portal/ electronic report to patient

Resources

Ontario Telemedicine Network (OTN)
OTN Services Store Forward
Telederm