OTN Teledermatology is a free service allows primary care physicians to securely send a digital photograph and brief description of patient’s skin condition to a dermatologist.
Here are five pearls to benefit most from OTN Teledermatology:
1) Ensure to provide essential OTN Teledermatology referral information:
- Referring GP info: GP name, MOH/billing (not CPSO) number, phone number
- Patient information: correct name, DOB, valid health card and correct version
- Ideally, one issue per patient consult and avoid multiple submissions
- Brief relevant history, pertinent positives and negatives
- Details of drug plan: e.g. work plan or ODB
- Good pictures, i.e. clear; not blurry/fuzzy due to camera shake
Ensure the information in the bolded fields has been entered correctly.
2) Few tips for submitting pictures:
- Ideally 3-4 pictures are submitted, some from close (macro, especially if 1 lesion), others from far (perspective, for rashes or multiple lesions)
- Each picture should be <1MB file size for faster loading on both ends, and ensure not blurry
- When submitting multiple close-up images, it is helpful to include a note or ruler in the picture field, indicating the location
3) When referring patients with lesions, include:
- History: e.g. how long, if growing, spreading
- Personal & family history of skin cancer
- Treatments tried
- Note: In some circumstances, OTN Teledermatology cases involving lesions may still require an in-clinic consultation assessment (e.g. by a plastic surgeon). In such cases the consultant will advise accordingly.
4) When referring patients with rashes, include:
- History: e.g. how long, evolution
- Occupation/hobbies: could be related?
- Rash distribution
- Treatments tried: be specific, e.g. "Hydroval cream bid x 2 weeks failed"
5) Keep OTN Teledermatology workflow via OTN Teledermatology:
- Communicate everything via OTN Teledermatology program: e.g. direct follow-up queries via OTN Teledermatology
- Don’t call consultant’s office or fax additional results as it results in parallel workflow
- Don’t give the OTN Teledermatology report with consultant’s office info/email visible to patient
- If issues arise (e.g. can't upload file, haven't heard back about a case in a timely manner), call OTN helpdesk (1-855-654-0888)
Use the "Reply" button to ask follow up questions or to communicate with the dermatologist.
This is in keeping with the general intent of the store forward model.
At Toronto Dermatology Centre, Dr. Anatoli Freiman and Dr. Benjamin Barankin are pleased to assist in the care of your OTN dermatology patients and usually provide consultation within 1-2 days, i.e. diagnosis and treatment plan; more info on www.torontodermatologycentre.com/otn.
