General office infrastructure guide
Is your practice prepared for quality teledermatology visits? You should review this guide with the entire teledermatology team. If you answer “no” to any of the questions below, address that issue before conducting teledermatology.
Safety and privacy
Does your telehealth platform protect patient data in compliance with HIPAA?
Do you have a process for obtaining informed consent from patients to receive care virtually?
Do you have a way of collecting and storing patient photos for their telehealth visits?
Additional resources
Patient experience
Do you utilize a telehealth platform that allows easy patient access, such as via a smartphone or tablet?
Does your telehealth platform generate direct web address links to the virtual encounter that can be sent to patients via text message?
Is the patient provided with a number to call for technical assistance for issues that arise before or during the virtual visit?
Do you have a process for preparing patients for teledermatology visits?
Do you have a process for obtaining a patient’s relevant health information?
Do you have a process for sending teledermatology visit notes to the patient’s referring physician?
Additional resources
Equity
Does your platform support interpreter services for patients who use a language other than English for medical encounters, and does it support patients who use American sign Language (ASL)? If not, do you have a telephone language interpreter or family member who can help interpret on behalf of the patient?
Do you collaborate with community organizations (such as a library, community center, or church) where patients can conduct teledermatology visits if they do not have access to a private space or high-speed internet?
Additional resources
Quality improvement
Do you plan to improve your teledermatology process based on feedback and data?
Do you have a process for obtaining patient feedback after they complete a teledermatology visit?
Do you have a process for obtaining clinician and staff feedback about your teledermatology policies and procedures?
Do you have a method for collecting data on your practice’s use of teledermatology, such as number of visits per week, no-show rates, conditions managed, unsuccessful encounters, etc.?
Are clinicians and staff educated on best practices for teledermatology and trained in your specific teledermatology processes?
