A Desperate Need for Psoriasis Health Care in Remote Regions as Revealed by a Live Interactive Teledermatology Program Serving Penghu Islands in Taiwan Strait

Yu Wen Cheng, Chia Ying Wu, Bing Chang Wang, Kuo Chung Lan, Su Yun Ou, Li Man Lin, Hung Chang Liao, Chih Chi Wang, Chih Hung Lee*

*Corresponding author for this work

Research output: Contribution to journalJournal Article peer-review

1 Scopus citations

Abstract

Introduction: Several studies indicated that teledermatology is good for people living on offshore islands. However, what disease benefits the most from interactive dermatology geographically in offshore islands remain uncertain. Objectives: This study aimed to investigate the seasonal and geographical distribution with different diseases in remote regions of Penghu islands in Taiwan Strait, thus to study the medical needs for specific disease in remote islands. The cost differences among three models by professional dermatologists were analyzed. Methods: This interactive teledermatology program serving Penghu Hospital, Ministry of Health and Welfare (MOHW-PH, March 2020 to February 2021) from a medical center in Taiwan recruited 145 patients with 280 patient-visits. The seasons, the timing from residential houses to MOHW-PH, the number of disease diagnosis, and the numbers of teledermatology visits are compared. The association of the distance from residential houses to MOHW-PH with different disease diagnosis was analyzed. Results: Eczema (33%), dermatophytosis (13%), and psoriasis (11%) were most common. Seasonal analysis showed dermatophytosis and eczema are more common in summer and winter, respectively. Geographical analysis showed that psoriasis has relatively higher case numbers, higher visits per case, with cases living in longer distances. The patient satisfaction was good (>95%). Among the three care modes of dermatologist, the cost estimation of interactive teledermatology and in-person clinic were similar yearly (2.4-2.9 million New Taiwan Dollars, roughly 80,000-90,000 USD). Conclusions: The study indicates that health care for psoriasis, being underprivileged but in desperate need in distant regions, could be delivered with quality and satisfaction by interactive teledermatology.

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)1109-1116
Number of pages8
JournalTelemedicine and e-Health
Volume28
Issue number8
DOIs
StatePublished - 01 08 2022

Bibliographical note

Publisher Copyright:
Copyright © 2022, Mary Ann Liebert, Inc.

Keywords

  • live interactive telemedicine
  • psoriasis
  • remote islands
  • teledermatology

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