The internet has changed many things about our lives, and the way we access healthcare is no exception.
Telehealth – the ability to have an appointment with a doctor from the comfort and safety of your home using your smartphone, tablet, or computer – was already gaining popularity before the COVID-19 pandemic. However, social distancing mandates and closed offices made telehealth practically essential, and specialties like dermatology that traditionally relied on in-person visits found ways to embrace the change. U.S. insurance claims for telehealth visits skyrocketed 8,000% between April 2019 and April 2020 alone.
Today, most patients have the freedom to choose between telehealth and in-person healthcare once again. As technology continues to advance and patient preferences evolve, the debate between telehealth vs. in-person dermatologist visits is more relevant than ever. TopLine MD Alliance affiliated physicians and practices are here to help you weigh the pros and cons of both options, so you can decide which one best suits your needs.
While telehealth visits vary between practices, your telehealth visit may be synchronous (“syncing up” with your doctor and chatting live via video conference or phone call) or asynchronous (sending information about your medical concern via email, often through a secure patient portal, and receiving a response).
Most telehealth visits require filling out forms ahead of time and making sure that you have the technology you need. For video conferences, the doctor’s office typically sends instructions that explain how to join the visit and use your device’s microphone and camera.
During your telehealth visit with a dermatologist, you can:
- Discuss and share images of current skin, hair, or nail problems
- Have your dermatologist check any suspicious spots (if the dermatologist thinks a spot needs to be tested or removed, they may ask you to come to their office for an in-person visit)
- Maintain treatment for chronic skin conditions, such as psoriasis or eczema
- Get medications prescribed
- Ask questions about any concerns or changes to your skin
How dermatology adapted to a digital world
Not every medical specialty benefits equally from the advantages of telehealth, but dermatologists have a unique edge, especially when treating skin, hair, and nail conditions that are openly visible on your body.
During the pandemic, many TopLine MD Alliance affiliated dermatology practices invested in modern videoconferencing tools and state-of-the-art encrypted software that allowed them to continue treating patients from afar. With the high-resolution cameras available on smartphones and other devices, patients could take and upload high-quality images before their visit, giving dermatologists a simple and secure way to evaluate everything from rashes to moles to acne breakouts.
The process worked so well that more than 80% of U.S. dermatologists offered some form of telehealth during the height of the pandemic – and for most, the telehealth option is here to stay.
Interested in trying a telehealth visit? Here are some of the most important pros and cons to consider.
Easy access to your TopLine MD Alliance affiliated Dermatologist
If you live in a remote area, work long hours, or have young children at home, scheduling an in-person visit with your dermatologist may be challenging.
With telehealth, there is no need to travel, adjust your busy schedule, or sit in a waiting room. Instead, you can have your appointment at home, during a break at work, in your car – wherever and whenever is most convenient for you. All you need is a working device and a WiFi signal for easy access to your dermatologist.
Telehealth visits allow you to save money on gas, parking, tolls, and much more. But most importantly, they save you time – and that is something we can all use more of these days.
Less exposure to germs
Sick people should never have to come to the dermatologist’s office. Telehealth visits offer a viable alternative to patients who currently need a dermatologist’s care but are sick and/or contagious to others.
And if you are well, telehealth visits can help you stay that way. Reducing exposure to other people’s germs is beneficial for everyone, especially those who are chronically ill, elderly, pregnant, or have compromised immune systems. Opting for telehealth visits, especially during cold and flu season, can help keep you healthy and safe.
The accuracy debate
Research shows that fewer patients miss their telehealth visits, allowing for more consistent treatment and stronger doctor-patient relationships. But are telehealth visits as accurate as in-person visits?
Recent studies indicate they are. A Mayo Clinic study found that video-based telehealth visits and in-person visits agreed on patient diagnoses nearly 87% of the time. Other studies have found that telehealth diagnoses are more likely to match in-person visits in specialty care, which is encouraging news for dermatology patients.
Of course, diagnostic accuracy can vary depending on the specific condition being treated. Telehealth dermatology works best for visible skin, hair, and nail conditions, including:
- Acne
- Eczema
- Psoriasis
- Rashes
- Spots or moles
Ask your TopLine MD Alliacne affiliated dermatologist if telehealth visits are a viable option for you.
Cost differences
Before scheduling a telehealth dermatology visit, be sure to check with your insurance provider. Coverage often varies by state and policy type, although some insurance companies charge less for telehealth visits vs. in-person visits.
Telehealth does require a financial investment from both provider and patient. Dermatologists must continue to adopt new technological advances, while patients must have internet service and a smartphone, tablet, or computer that can adequately handle telehealth visits. Patients without reliable internet service at home often use libraries, community centers, their workplace, or other public locations to conduct telehealth visits.
As mentioned above, telehealth visits provide many types of savings as well, from gas and vehicle wear-and-tear to childcare costs. A UC Davis Health study found that during the first two years of the COVID-19 pandemic, telehealth visits saved an estimated 204 years of travel time and nearly $34 million in travel-related costs. Telehealth visits also eliminated the need to commute more than 53 million miles – equivalent to 113 round trips from Earth to the moon.
The power of personal interaction
Does the idea of talking to a doctor on-screen make you feel uncomfortable? It is important to consider your personal ability to feel comfortable, build trust, and connect with your dermatologist without being in the same room. If you struggle with this concept, in-person visits may be a better choice for you.
Language barriers can also be more challenging to overcome virtually, and patients who are less comfortable with technology (such as older people) may be reluctant to use it. Some may have concerns about the privacy of using the internet to conduct a doctor’s visit, especially if they are in a public place.
Many patients find that telehealth visits provide plenty of personal interaction, while others only want to talk with their dermatologist face-to-face in an exam room. The choice is yours.
When technology backfires
Technology is not perfect, and sometimes telehealth visits don’t go as planned. You may experience connectivity problems, especially if the WiFi signal is weak or during inclement weather. Some patients do not have access to the internet at all, putting telehealth visits out of reach.
Telehealth visits also require high-quality images, which may be difficult to obtain on older or outdated smartphones, tablets, and computers. Without adequate images, it can be harder for the dermatologist to diagnose your skin, hair, or nail condition properly.
In-person visits don’t rely on technology but they do have other limitations, especially for patients with mobility or transportation issues. The wait times for in-person visits have also increased at many dermatology practices.
Sometimes, in-person visits are irreplaceable
Studies show that in-person visits may be more reliable for diagnosing new conditions, while telehealth dermatology is highly effective for managing existing conditions. However, there are certain dermatology treatments and procedures that always require hands-on care. For instance, skin cancer screenings and full-body skin exams cannot be performed virtually.
A high-quality image of a spot, growth, or lesion does not always substitute for a dermatologist seeing it with their own eyes and touching it with their own hands. In many cases, the dermatologist will still have to see the patient in person, even if the initial evaluation is done via telehealth.
Now that we have covered the advantages and disadvantages of both approaches, we hope that you feel more informed when making decisions about your skin health. Whether you choose telehealth or in-person visits, TopLine MD Alliance affiliated providers and practices can ensure you get the dermatology care you deserve.
Find a TopLine MD Alliance affiliated Dermatologist near you
The TopLine MD Alliance was created by physicians who came together to make healthcare experiences better for patients. Affiliated physicians help patients navigate the healthcare system, connecting them with top-of-the-line healthcare providers, practices, diagnostic centers, and imaging centers we trust. TopLine MD brings together high-quality care and exceptional service while ensuring that you are always satisfied with your choice of doctors and healthcare providers.
Our affiliated dermatology experts treat patients of all ages, with providers specializing in Mohs surgery and pediatric dermatology. To learn more and change your skin health for the better, find a TopLine MD Alliance affiliated dermatologist near you.
The TopLine MD Alliance is an association of independent physicians and medical practice groups who are committed to providing a higher standard of healthcare services. The members of the TopLine MD Alliance have no legal or financial relationship with one another. The TopLine MD Alliance brand has no formal corporate, financial or legal ties to any of the affiliated physicians or practice groups.
