RESUMEN
Introducción: La teledermatología (TD) ha sido implementada en Chile como estrategia de salud para suplir el déficit de dermatólogos y aumentar la resolutividad de la atención primaria. Esta estrategia fue implementada en la Provincia de Palena en 2013, sin un análisis de las atenciones brindadas hasta la fecha. Material y métodos: Estudio descriptivo, transversal, de concordancia inter-observador. Se analizan todas las consultas por TD de Ayacara, Chaitén, Futaleufú y Palena desde 2013 a 2017. Datos obtenidos de plataforma MINSAL. Concordancia diagnóstica calculada con índice kappa. Resultados: Total 326 consultas de TD con promedio de edad de 35,8 años (DE: 22,4), en su mayoría de sexo femenino (59,8%). Mayoría de TD originadas en Palena, con un 40,8%. Tiempo de respuesta promedio de 12,6 días (DE: 22,8), disminuyendo a 6,4 días (DE: 5,2) tras la incorporación de dermatólogo en el Hospital de Puerto Montt (p = 0,0005). Concordancia diagnóstica moderada entre el médico general y el dermatólogo, con índice kappa de 0,5. Un 20,6% de las consultas requirió evaluación presencial. Tiempo de respuesta promedio de 12,6 días (DE: 22,8), aumentando a 25,7 días (DE: 41,2) sí requirió evaluación presencial (p < 0,0001). Conclusiones: La TD es una herramienta diagnóstica y terapéutica necesaria para el médico general en zonas aisladas. La concordancia diagnóstica moderada es similar a estudios internacionales, pero inferior a estudios nacionales. Es relevante el menor tiempo de respuesta al incorporar un dermatólogo al servicio. La diferencia significativa entre el tiempo de respuesta de la consulta presencial versus la teleasistida requiere una mejor gestión asistencial
Background: Teledermatology was introduced in Chile to make up for the lack of dermatologists and improve the primary care system's ability to resolve problems. This strategy was implemented in the province of Palena in 2013, but outcomes were not analyzed and reported until now. Material and methods: Descriptive, cross-sectional study with analysis of inter-rater agreement on diagnoses. All the teledermatology consultations made on behalf of patients in Ayacara, Chaitén, Futaleufú, and Palena from 2013 through 2017 were analyzed. Data were extracted from the MINSAL platform. The κ statistic was used to assess diagnostic agreement. Results. A total of 326 teledermatology consultations were made. The mean (SD) age of the patients was 35.8 (22.4) years. The majority (59.8%) were female. Palena generated the largest volume of cases (40.8%). The mean time until a teledermatology diagnosis was given was 12.6 (22.8) days. This response time decreased to 6.4 (5.2) days after a staff dermatologist from Hospital Puerto Montt joined the program (P = .0005). Diagnosis concordance between the general practitioner and the dermatologist was moderate (κ = 0.5). Physical examination by the dermatologist at the hospital of reference (Puerto Montt) was necessary for 20.6% of the patients, and time until a definitive diagnosis for the patient took longer in such cases (25.7 (41.2) days) than for the cases that didn't need a physical evaluation at the Hospital of Puerto Montt (P < .0001). Conclusions. Teledermatology provides a necessary diagnostic and therapeutic resource for general practitioners in isolated locations. Diagnostic agreement is moderate between the generalist and the specialist, similar to agreement in international studies but lower than agreement reported in other Chilean studies. The reduction in diagnostic response time after incorporation of a dermatologist on staff at the hospital of Puerto Montt was significant. The significant difference between the time for diagnosis under teledermatology and the delay when physical examination is required at the hospital of Puerto Montt identifies an aspect of care management to improve
Asunto(s)
Humanos , Masculino , Femenino , Adulto , Teledermatología , Telemedicina para Zonas Rurales y Remotas , Epidemiología Descriptiva , Hospitales Rurales , Salud Rural , Chile , Estudios Transversales , Población Rural/estadística & datos numéricosRESUMEN
BACKGROUND: Teledermatology was introduced in Chile to make up for the lack of dermatologists and improve the primary care system's ability to resolve problems. This strategy was implemented in the province of Palena in 2013, but outcomes were not analyzed and reported until now. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Descriptive, cross-sectional study with analysis of inter-rater agreement on diagnoses. All the teledermatology consultations made on behalf of patients in Ayacara, Chaitén, Futaleufú, and Palena from 2013 through 2017 were analyzed. Data were extracted from the MINSAL platform. The κ statistic was used to assess diagnostic agreement. RESULTS: A total of 326 teledermatology consultations were made. The mean (SD) age of the patients was 35.8 (22.4) years. The majority (59.8%) were female. Palena generated the largest volume of cases (40.8%). The mean time until a teledermatology diagnosis was given was 12.6 (22.8) days. This response time decreased to 6.4 (5.2) days after a staff dermatologist from Hospital Puerto Montt joined the program (P=.0005). Diagnosis concordance between the general practitioner and the dermatologist was moderate (κ=0.5). Physical examination by the dermatologist at the hospital of reference (Puerto Montt) was necessary for 20.6% of the patients, and time until a definitive diagnosis for the patient took longer in such cases (25.7 [41.2] days) than for the cases that didn't need a physical evaluation at the Hospital of Puerto Montt (P<.0001). CONCLUSIONS: Teledermatology provides a necessary diagnostic and therapeutic resource for general practitioners in isolated locations. Diagnostic agreement is moderate between the generalist and the specialist, similar to agreement in international studies but lower than agreement reported in other Chilean studies. The reduction in diagnostic response time after incorporation of a dermatologist on staff at the hospital of Puerto Montt was significant. The significant difference between the time for diagnosis under teledermatology and the delay when physical examination is required at the hospital of Puerto Montt identifies an aspect of care management to improve.
