Skin cancer Virtual consultation soon at the dermatologist?

Dermatologists rely on modern communication technology
The Internet opens up many new possibilities in medicine. In the opinion of the Professional Association of German Dermatologists (BVDD), dermatologists could in the future make a diagnosis with the help of video-consulting sessions and thus counter the impending shortage of specialists. At the same time, patients would benefit from this straightforward method.

Basically, the dermatologists are not closed to the new technical possibilities, reports the President of the Professional Association of German Dermatologists, Klaus Strömer in an interview with the news agency "dpa". For example, wounds could be checked during a video consultation or with the help of a submitted photo. Thus, the expected shortage of medical specialists could be compensated something. In particular, for patients who are already being treated, modern communication technology offers to monitor the therapy. In addition, certain diseases could be diagnosed relatively well in this way. Not least, the patients from the holidays could contact the dermatologist they trusted directly.

Pilot project tests video meeting hours
To enable the online consultation with the dermatologist, according to Strömer's statement, the legal framework must first be clarified. "It will take some time, but we have to set off," Strömer is quoted by the "dpa". Currently, some health insurance companies would still lock up and not all physicians are open to technology. In a pilot project, five practices are to test from the late summer on what the video consulting hours can do, for example in Berlin, Kiel and on Rügen, the "dpa" continues. Today only one dermatologist is active on Rügen.

Limits of modern communication technology
Even if modern communication technology can revolutionize medical practice in many areas, there are clear limits. For example, American scientists at the University of Pittsburgh, according to the Professional Association of German Dermatologists, came to the conclusion that the "skin cancer self-diagnosis via mobile application software (App) is deficient". The results of four examined software programs were predominantly wrong. Only one of the four mobile phone programs detected melanoma (98.1 percent) in almost all cases, although the diagnosis was made within 24 hours by a dermatologist to whom the program had forwarded the findings of a photographed birthmark. At the same time, the limits and the potential of modern communication technology become clear.

Light skin cancer is a growing problem
According to the experts, skin cancer is one of the major malpractices of the future, although telemedicine can only help to a limited extent here. Worldwide, there is a strong increase in the number of cases, which goes back not only on the improved diagnostics, but also in connection with the aging of the population, reports the news agency "dpa", citing Michael Reusch from the Presidium of the German Dermatological Society (DDG) ... Moreover, there is no growing awareness among the population of the dangers of UV radiation, Reusch continues. In particular, the diseases of bright skin cancer have already increased significantly in recent years. In Australia, the number of cases in relation to the number of inhabitants between 2003 and 2009 increased by 70 percent and today, the white skin cancer is here already "the most expensive human cancer," Reusch is quoted by the "dpa". (Fp)

Picture credits: Domaris