The Advantages Of Teledermoscopy Services In Your Practice

In recent years, a marked decrease in the number of available dermatologists providing the necessary patient care in Canada has led to longer wait times for patients and increased pressure on existing dermatology practices.¹This article will focus on how virtual healthcare technologies such as MetaOptima's MoleScope II mobile dermoscope and DermEngine dermatology EMR software play a pivotal role in transforming the teledermoscopy industry as a solution to this growing concern.

1. Teledermoscopy: A Key Tool In Digital Healthcare

A recent study by the Fraser Institute highlighted the growing issue of wait times for medical care in Canada. The median wait time between a referral from a general practitioner and treatment was 27.7 weeks in 2023, the longest recorded in their history.² When dealing with time-sensitive skin conditions such as melanoma or basal cell carcinoma (BCC), waiting cannot and should not be an option. This is where advanced dermoscopy tools can play a vital role as an exceptional ally.

2. DermEngine: For Teledermatology Workflow

Traditional dermatoscopes have been in use by dermatologists and clinical physicians for several decades.² In addition to producing high-quality images, digital devices are now able to work with intelligent software for the analysis and interpretation of these images. Such is the case of MetaOptima's DermEngine, a sophisticated teledermoscopy software designed for the imaging, documentation and diagnosis of skin conditions by healthcare professionals.

Among the numerous advances of DermEngine, one aspect relies on its instant connectivity supported by a cloud-based platform for the transmission of data in real time for ultimate convenience. This enables physicians to analyze patients' skin conditions from anywhere at anytime. Additionally, it allows professionals to confidentially share patient data to obtain an expert second opinion or request a pathological exam.

3. MoleScope: Supporting Professional Imaging Needs
Versatile and affordable, MoleScope II is a mobile dermatoscope intended to assist physicians with daily tasks in their dermoscopy imaging practice. Its portable, compact shape and adaptability to be used with a wide variety of mobile devices make it ideal for obtaining medical grade-quality images than can then be automatically uploaded to DermEngine.

Due to the efficacy of capturing and sending dermoscopic images via teledermatology software, it is clear that these services provide a valuable solution to the current dermatologist shortage in Canada. Both MoleScope II and DermEngine function in a potent synergy to shorten the gap between a potential life-threatening skin lesion and its adequate review, diagnosis and treatment by a qualified health professional.

Conclusion

Considering the rising need to shorten dermatology appointment wait times, DermEngine and MoleScope II tackle this problem by providing physicians with the ability to efficiently analyze images to support the early detection of skin cancer for optimized patient care outcomes. As traditional health systems continue to struggle with increasing waiting times and inefficient processes, teledermoscopy software offers a new approach to helping both patients and doctors when time is a determining factor.

-The MetaOptima Team

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