Instant Messaging in Dermatology: A Literature Review.
No Thumbnail Available
Date
0000-00-00
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
Abstract
The use of smartphones and IM has the potential to transform the delivery of health services by providing an easy to use cost effective tool for remote doctor to doctor and patient to doctor consultation and diagnosis Whilst the introduction of new technologies has improved access to healthcare it has also created new challenges The aim of this paper was to review the literature on the use of Instant Messaging IM and IM applications apps in dermatology METHOD PubMed Scopus and Science Direct were searched for multiple terms for 20 individual IM apps linked to the terms telehealth telemedicine ehealth e health mhealth or m health After title and abstract review 31 papers met the inclusion criteria of IM use in dermatology RESULTS Three papers all from the developing world reported the benefits of using IM in a clinical dermatology service Other uses included behavioural change disease management diagnosis triage screening diagnoses home monitoring education and administrative Little mention was made of medico legal issues such as consent confidentiality privacy and data security and storage CONCLUSION Currently there is little use of IM in clinical dermatology services but its potential is great There is need to address ethical and medico legal concerns and develop guidelines for its use IM is a simple cheap and effective solution for the developing world