TELEDERMATOLOGY AS A DIGITAL TOOL FOR IMPROVING ACCESS TO DERMATOLOGICAL CARE: A LITERATURE REVIEW
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.31435/ijitss.3(51).2026.5809Keywords:
Teledermatology, Telemedicine, Digital Health, Access to Care, Patient Satisfaction, Store-and-Forward, Artificial Intelligence, DermatologyAbstract
Teledermatology has become one of the fastest-growing areas of digital health and telemedicine, significantly transforming the delivery of dermatological services worldwide. Because dermatology relies heavily on visual assessment, it is particularly suitable for remote healthcare models. The COVID-19 pandemic accelerated the adoption of teledermatology and highlighted its potential to improve access to specialist care, especially in underserved, rural, and resource-limited settings.
Aim: This literature review aims to summarize current evidence regarding teledermatology, including its clinical applications, diagnostic effectiveness, patient and provider satisfaction, advantages, limitations, and future perspectives.
Methods: A comprehensive literature search was conducted using PubMed, Scopus, Google Scholar, and Web of Science for studies published between 2000 and March 2025. Particular emphasis was placed on literature published from 2020 to 2025, reflecting the accelerated development and implementation of teledermatology during the COVID-19 and post-pandemic period. Search terms included “teledermatology,” “telemedicine,” “digital health,” “access to care,” “patient satisfaction,” “store-and-forward,” “synchronous,” “asynchronous,” “artificial intelligence,” and “diagnostic concordance.” Original studies, systematic reviews, meta-analyses, and narrative reviews evaluating teledermatology outcomes, diagnostic accuracy, implementation barriers, and cost-effectiveness were included. A total of 36 studies were selected for qualitative synthesis.
Results: Teledermatology significantly improves access to dermatologic care by reducing waiting times, minimizing travel requirements, and supporting healthcare delivery in underserved populations. Both synchronous (live video) and asynchronous (store-and-forward) models demonstrate moderate-to-high diagnostic concordance with face-to-face consultations. Asynchronous systems are particularly efficient and cost-effective, especially when clinician-captured images are used. High levels of patient and provider satisfaction are consistently reported, driven by convenience and improved accessibility. Teledermatology has demonstrated effectiveness in inflammatory skin diseases, skin cancer screening, pediatric dermatology, inpatient consultation, emergency settings, and chronic disease follow-up. Emerging technologies such as artificial intelligence may further enhance triage and diagnostic support. However, limitations remain, including image quality variability, digital literacy disparities, privacy concerns, technological barriers, and inconsistent reimbursement policies.
Conclusion: Teledermatology is a clinically effective and patient-accepted digital healthcare tool that can substantially improve access to dermatologic services. Hybrid care models integrating synchronous and asynchronous approaches may represent the future standard of care. Continued investment in digital infrastructure, patient education, equitable access strategies, and standardized regulatory frameworks will be essential for sustainable implementation and future development of teledermatology worldwide.
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Copyright (c) 2026 Magdalena Dluzewska, Dawid Juszkiewicz, Krzysztof Kiełczewski, Barbara Fetner, Agnieszka Zaręba, Zuzanna Gebert, Ivanna Ilkiv, Agata Kucharska, Konrad Adler, Patrycja Stankowska
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