Teledermatology Transformed Through an Automated Previsit Engagement Strategy

With an increase in teledermatology, accelerated by the Covid-19 pandemic, leaders at Penn Medicine recognized a need to improve the value of videoconference-based visits by developing an innovative process to simplify the method by which patients can share photos in advance of the visit while automating instructions and reminders for patients to reduce the burden on staff. The process enables patients to submit photos via cell phone text attachments rather than using the traditional patient portal, if they prefer. Initial results show improvements in patient compliance and engagement, photo quality, and teledermatology encounters. Copyright © 2022 Massachusetts Medical Society.