Shaping the future of teledermatology: a literature review of patient and provider satisfaction with synchronous teledermatology during the COVID-19 pandemic

Abstract

Following the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic, widespread adoption of synchronous teledermatology (e.g. live video conferencing) has increased patient and provider familiarity with the method. To our knowledge, no teledermatology reviews have exclusively characterized patient and provider satisfaction with synchronous models of teledermatology. This study quantitatively evaluated patient and provider satisfaction through a literature review of synchronous teledermatology studies conducted during the COVID-19 pandemic. We undertook a review of the literature using the PubMed database, which was performed in accordance with the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses guidelines. The search terms included, but were not limited to, ‘teledermatology’, ‘patient satisfaction’ and ‘provider satisfaction’. Studies were evaluated for quality of evidence, based on guidelines described by the Oxford Centre for Evidence-based Medicine. In total, 15 studies satisfied the inclusion criteria, and described the satisfaction of 7871 patients and 146 providers with synchronous teledermatology during the COVID-19 pandemic. Patients and providers were overall satisfied with access measures, the patient–provider relationship and the ability of synchronous teledermatology to meet patient needs. Limitations of the virtual physical examination and image/video quality were consistent limiting factors for the patient and provider experience, respectively. Patients and providers perceive that synchronous teledermatology can meet the needs of the patient. Patients perceived a satisfactory patient–provider relationship through synchronous teledermatology. Practices can identify best applications and educate patients on expectations of the virtual examination in order to enhance the use and sustainability of synchronous teledermatology beyond the pandemic.