Geriatric Teledermatology

TeledermatologyTeledermatology can be a highly effective health-care tool, and it has increased in demand since the onset of theCovid-19 COVID-19 pandemic. Older adultsOlder adults are an important subset of patients who have the potential to benefit from teledermatology services. We discuss the current state of teledermatology in older adults in general, as well as unique populations including nursing home residents and aging veterans. Few studies have systematically evaluated teledermatology in older patients, and a limited number of published teledermatology reports include a significant proportion of older adults (65 + years old). Store-and-forwardStore-and-forward was the preferred modality in these studies, and the majority of dermatology visits could be completed via teledermatologyTeledermatology alone, with no in-person consultation needed. These teledermatology studies demonstrated good diagnostic accuracyDiagnostic accuracy (88%) and treatment accuracy (70–90%). Teledermatology was found to offer many potential additional benefits for older patients, including reduced transportation costs, time savings, reduced wait times, as well as increased accessibility to dermatology care for underservedUnderserved patients. Some limitations include low technological capabilities in a subset of older adults, poor image quality, difficulty in taking photos, and issues with digital literacy. For older adultsOlder adults facing technological barriers, teledermatology visits should be assisted by the patient’s personal support network. For those with more severe physical or cognitive conditions, assistance from nurses at long-term care facilities or home health aides is recommended.