Teledermatology using WhatsApp messenger during COVID 19 pan-demic; our experience of a cost-effective solution to reach out patients in limited resource settings
Teledermatology using WhatsApp Messenger
Keywords:
COVID-19, pandemic, teledermatology, Cost-effectiveAbstract
Teledermatology is a reliable tool for remote consultations. It’s significance was greatly enhanced during the COVID-19 pandemic. The teledermatology model proposed by our study used WhatsApp as communication modality to reach-out non-COVID patients especially in a low-income setting. We used store and forward method of telemedicine and observed effective communication on behalf of the patients irrespective of educational status. This model was time efficient for the practitioners and provided a cost-effective solution to the Dermatology patients in re-mote settings, unable to access healthcare facilities during lockdown. Our study supports the use of free mobile applications such as WhatsApp messenger that the patients are already using for social networking and communication to reach out Dermatology patients cost effectively, particularly in low resource settings and in challenging circumstances such as COVID 19 pandemic.
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