E-learning and teledermatology: Are web-based images good enough for learning?

Abstract

The purpose of this study is to review different papers that discuss about e-learning and teledermatology and how web based images are helping in diagnose and treatment of dermatological problems. This study is a qualitative chronicle literature review of teledermatology and e learning to evaluate the current situation of teledermatology to solve skin related problems and how modern technologies are assessing in this field. After searching process more than 200 papers have found relevant to the thesis topic. After inclusion and exclusion criteria, 30 papers have found appropriate for the thesis topic. Selected articles are categorized according to the different arrears of telemedicine and new invention of e learning. Also the contribution of web based images to determine dermatological problems were discussed.

Some of the articles described about the role of teledermatology in non-cancerous diseases. All these articles explained about the diagnosis of skin problems and how fast and accurately these problems can be treated with the use of teledermatology technology. In most of the articles there are some comparison between face-to-face consultation and store and forward teledermatology technology. Area of research was a big factor in all papers because some of the research was conducted in rural areas. The procedures for cancerous disease were almost same. In this case the diagnostic accuracy was more important. In case of cancerous disease teledermatology played an important role for instant treatment. Some articles described about the role of mobile telephone in teledermatology. In this cases image quality was a big challenge to identify the accurate problem. Finally some articles explained about current situation of e learning condition and different fields of images used for the diagnosis procedure of skin problems. Notwithstanding this small number of articles discussed in different field of dermatology and e learning most of the articles related to the review achieved positive outcome after implementation of the telemedicine technology. These encouraging outcomes with the continuous advancement of information technology feels us to assume rising in the number of studies that investigate incorporating teledermatology and use of images in the field of dermatology in the future and the involvement of these applications into more dermatological cases.