Melanoma Canada
Did you know starting July 4th, online dermatology consults are available across the province of Quebec through your general practitioner?
In hopes of reducing waiting times for non-urgent cases, the Quebec Minister for Health and Social Services partnered with several associations and federations, namely dermatologists, physicians, and patients, to launch the “Plateforme de Soins Virtuels” (PSV). Through this online platform, general practitioners can submit patients’ pictures to dermatologists and expect a response in less than 14 days. After receiving a dermatologist’s answer, the general practitioner can follow up with the patient. Pilot projects conducted in a few regions, namely Laval, Laurentides, and Lanaudière since March 2022 have shown promising results. As seen in the literature and reported by Dr. Hanna, president of the Association of Dermatology Specialists of Quebec, up to 50-75% of cases can be treated via teledermatology [2,3]
Teledermatology refers to a healthcare format that delivers dermatology health services remotely. Historically, telemedicine originates from the 19th century when information was communicated over telephone lines or the radio. Nowadays, the rise of telemedicine, which includes teledermatology, can be influenced by the emergence of cutting-edge technologies such as smart phone devices and computers. The tasks involved in teledermatology include the storage and transfer of clinical data either on mobile applications, websites, or hospital software. Moreover, it includes videoconferencing and medical calls with the patients. All these applications of teledermatology increase patients’ accessibility to healthcare.
In the province of Quebec, 80 000 patients are currently waiting for a dermatology consultation [2].
Therefore, teledermatology initiatives such as the PSV could potentially alleviate the burden of waiting for several months. Additionally, it can lower patient stress associated with the delay of consultations.
Teledermatology has also the potential to play an active role in the early detection, prevention, and management of diseases, particularly melanoma5. When detected at an early stage, melanoma presents a 5-year survival rate up to 99%6. Teledermatology could facilitate the early diagnosis and treatment of skin cancer, thus reducing mortality and morbidity rates, which would ultimately result in better clinical outcomes for patients. Future steps of the PSV initiative may include the addition of new medical services on the platform. Dermatologists and general practitioners across the province of Quebec are now invited to voluntarily join the PSV initiative.
References
1. Pour un meilleur accès – Déploiement du service de télédermatologie à travers le Québec: Gouvernement du Québec. Accessed July 11, 2022. https://www.quebec.ca/nouvelles/actualites/details/pour-un-meilleur-acces-deploiement-du-service-de-teledermatologie-a-travers-le-quebec-41632
2. La télédermatologie disponible dans toutes les régions du Québec dès le 4 juillet | Actualités | Le Soleil – Québec. Accessed July 11, 2022. https://www.lesoleil.com/2022/06/20/la-teledermatologie-disponible-dans-toutes-les-regions-du-quebec-des-le-4-juillet-2e7f72beeffd9193efa9163e68f7f19f
3. Giavina-Bianchi M, Santos AP, Cordioli E. Teledermatology reduces dermatology referrals and improves access to specialists. eClinicalMedicine. 2020;29:100641. doi:10.1016/J.ECLINM.2020.100641
4. Pala P, Bergler-Czop BS, Gwiżdż JM. Teledermatology: idea, benefits and risks of modern age – a systematic review based on melanoma. Advances in Dermatology and Allergology/Postȩpy Dermatologii i Alergologii. 2020;37(2):159. doi:10.5114/ADA.2020.94834
5. Fabbrocini G, de Vita V, Pastore F, et al. Teledermatology: From Prevention to Diagnosis of Nonmelanoma and Melanoma Skin Cancer. International Journal of Telemedicine and Applications. 2011;2011. doi:10.1155/2011/125762
6. Siegel RL, Miller KD, Fuchs HE, Jemal A. Cancer statistics, 2022. CA: A Cancer Journal for Clinicians. 2022;72(1):7-33. doi:10.3322/CAAC.21708
Submitted by: Maxine Joly-Chevrier
