<b><i>Background:</i></b> In recent years, telemedicine has led to a dramatic shift in healthcare service delivery, mainly due to the ease with which telemedicine can be integrated into a multitude of specialties and its flexibility as a means of providing care. Over the last 2 decades, technological advancements have made telemedicine integral to healthcare in many countries. In particular, dermatology was benefited from telemedicine as a new tool, thanks to the visual character that pervades this practice. Teledermatology is the interactive practice of remote dermatological assessment, involving live contact with patients (“live interactive”) and data access and retrieval (“store-and-forward”). This review discusses the role of this new discipline in medical education, inpatient care, and primary care through the analysis of several studies addressing this topic. Also examined are the status and limitations of teledermatology in Saudi Arabia and some proposed solutions. <b><i>Summary:</i></b> Visual assessment of dermatological conditions is common practice among dermatologists. However, due to the scarcity of specialists in some areas, wait times have been a hindrance for patients requiring an assessment. Teledermatology improves access by reducing wait times, speeding up the referral process, and streamlining assessments. Furthermore, teledermatology effectively serves as a form of triage, particularly for cases of suspected cutaneous malignancy that typically require the shortest referral time. Earlier diagnoses, more effective management of chronic skin disease, and inpatient care are all additional benefits offered by the teledermatology practice. The use of teledermatology is now widespread, with roles extending beyond patient care to medical teaching and training in residency programs. This perhaps reflects physicians’ highly positive perceptions regarding teledermatology; however, patient perception in Saudi Arabia is still lagging behind the global standard, possibly due to privacy concerns. <b><i>Key Message:</i></b> Teledermatology can be reliably utilized to advance healthcare services and medical education. Improving patient awareness and perception of this emerging discipline is crucial; to that end, the practice must address privacy concerns. Patient uploads of photographs and videos should be stored on an end-to-end encrypted platform to provide optimal service and encourage patients’ participation. Ultimately, physicians should be well acquainted with the medical, ethical, and technical aspects of teledermatology.
The establishment and roles of the Medical Education Department in the faculty of Medicine, King Abdul Aziz University, Jeddah Saudi Arabia