Teledermatological services at a Swiss university hospital - evaluation of patient benefits and economic impact

Abstract

Objectives: The aim of this study is to evaluate the potential of online consultation services in a Swiss dermatological clinic as a tool for triage, focusing on time savings, patient satisfaction, and cost-effectiveness. Methods: Over a period of 30 months, data were generated from a publicly available store-and-forward teledermatological platform (www.derma2go.com) hosted by the Dermatology Department of the University Hospital Zurich (USZ) for this analytical observational retrospective single-center study. Anonymized metadata from the online consultations and evaluation forms, as well as data from optional in-person follow-up consultations were analyzed. Results: Data were collected from 2207 patients (mean age 39.4 years, 51.2% female). The three most common diagnoses were atopic dermatitis, acne vulgaris, and perioral dermatitis/rosacea. 89.3% rated their satisfaction with the service at 7 or higher out of 10. The median waiting time for responses by dermatologists was 13.4 h. The service was financially profitable. Conclusions: Our study investigated the potential benefits of incorporating teledermatology into the services offered by a Swiss university hospital. It was a valuable tool to reduce waiting times and costs while achieving a high level of satisfaction. These findings can aid hospitals in choosing cost-effective and patient-friendly teledermatological services.