The purpose of the Teledermatology SIG is to foster, promote and support the field of teledermatology within a diverse group of professionals. Areas of interest include developing standards and protocols for teledermatology, developing a database to collect teledermatology activity in the United States, reviewing literature for outcomes studies, and developing recommendations for reimbursement codes for teleconsultations. The SIG sponsors tutorials, courses and other educational seminars in Teledermatology as well as this web page that provides important information and numerous documents and reports in support of this specialty field.

What is Teledermatology?

Teledermatology is one of the most active applications of telemedicine rendered in the United States. Dermatology is particularly suited to the use of advanced communication technologies and the internet for delivery of care. By using advanced communication technologies, dermatologists are able to widen their reach to patients in a cost-effective manner.

Teledermatology specialty care is generally delivered via store-and-forward communications or by full-motion video. In teledermatology, store-and-forward communication typically refers to the sending or forwarding of digital images and associated patient data to the specialist for storage and consultation. For full-motion video, providers and patients interact via live videoconferencing. For videoconferencing, a variety of peripheral hardware attachments may be utilized to enhance the consultation: episcopes, power zoom, freeze frame and polarizing devices, oblique angle viewing devices, and contact plates. 

SIG Leadership

Chair Marc Goldyne, MD, PhD Clinical Professor of Dermatology University of California San Francisco 221 Marina Boulevard San Francisco, CA 94123 Phone: 415-929-9122 Fax: 415-929-9155 Email: mgdyne@aol.com	Vice-Chair Dennis Oh, MD, PhD Associate Professor of Dermatology University of California, San Francisco 4150 Clement Street San Francisco , CA 94121 Phone: 415-750-2091 Fax: 415-750-2106 Email: ohd@derm.ucsf.edu
Secretary Karen McKoy MD, MPH Senior Staff Lahey Clinic 26 Farm Street Dover, MA 02030 Phone: 508-785-0423 Email: thrlmcky@massmed.org	Immediate Past Chair John Bocachica, M.D. FAAD Chief, Dermatology and Teledermatology Alaska Federal Health Care Access Network /  Alaska Native Tribal Health Consortium  4201 Tudor Centre Drive Anchorage, AK 99508 Phone: 907-830-0198 / 907-729-2260 Fax: 907-622-0262 Email: jbocachica@anmc.org  CC Emai: bohujo@msn.com

SUBCOMMITTEES

Standards & Guidelines Karen McKoy MD, MPH Senior Staff Lahey Clinic 26 Farm Street Dover, MA 02030 Phone: 508-785-0423 Email: thrlmcky@massmed.org	Training & Certification Dennis Oh, MD, PhD Associate Professor of Dermatology University of California, San Francisco 4150 Clement Street San Francisco , CA 94121 Phone: 415-750-2091 Fax: 415-750-2106 Email: ohd@derm.ucsf.edu
Reimbursement Marc Goldyne, MD, PhD Clinical Professor of Dermatology University of California San Francisco 221 Marina Boulevard San Francisco, CA 94123 Phone: 415-929-9122 Fax: 415-929-9155 Email: mgdyne@aol.com	Outreach April Armstrong MD Dermatology Resident Massachusetts General Hospital, Center for Connected Health 93 Strathmore Road, Unit 3 Brighton, MA 02135 Phone: 617-726-2000 Email: aprilwarmstrong@gmail.com

SIG Communication Tools

• Teledermatology SIG Directory  - A real-time listing of all active Teledermatology SIG members.
• Online Forum  - The Teledermatology SIG Online Forum is a resource for sharing information and fostering communication between SIG members and working groups. (Please note: you must be a member of ATA to participate in the Forum.)
• Listserv  - This listserv will send an email message to all members of the Teledermatology SIG. (Please note: you must send the message from the same email address listed in your ATA member profile--otherwise the message will not be delivered. You must be a member of the SIG to use the listserv. )

SIG Goals & Activities

• SIG Goals for 2010-2011

SIG Products & Resources

• Teledermatology SIG Resident/Fellow Award Announcement (22 December 2008) - This is the announcement for the 2009 Annual American Telemedicine Association Teledermatology Special Interest Group Resident/Fellow Award. This award will include funding for registration for one resident/fellow enrolled in a U.S. Dermatology Training Program to attend and present a 15-minute talk on a Teledermatology-related topic at the 2009 ATA Annual Meeting, April 28, 2009.  Interested applicants must be residents/fellows in a dermatology program. Abstracts must be received by February 6th, 2009. Guidelines and additional information about this award can be found in the attachment to this message.  If you have any questions please feel free to contact John Bocachica, MD, Chair, Teledermatology SIG, at jbocachica@anmc.org.

Practice Guidelines for Teledermatology

• Practice Guidelines for Teledermatology (14 December 2007)  - These guidelines, generated by the ATA Teledermatology Working Group, have undergone a thorough consensus and rigorous review, with final approval by the ATA Board of Directors. These guidelines are designed to aid in the development and practice of coherent, effective, safe and sustainable teledermatology practices.
• Store and Forward Teledermatology Template Guidelines for Referring Physicians (2005)

General

• 2010 Summary of the Status of Teledermatology Research (7 June 2010) - The review is organized under major research headings that are relevant areas of investigation for teledermatology research. These categories include (1) diagnostic reliability, (2) management reliability, (3) diagnostic accuracy, (4) clinical outcomes, (5) economic analyses, and (6) satisfaction assessments. The categories are further divided by consult modality, namely store and forward and real-time interactive. "Hybrid" models employ elements of each, specifically, a real-time interactive component coupled with high-resolution still images. A summary statement will appear at the end of each section consisting of the conclusions that can be reached based on current evidence. Finally, areas of future research needs will be identified.
• SIG Survey on Teledermatology Activity in the US (2003)
• Basic Guide to Dermatologic Photography (1999) - This is to serve as a basic guide for non-dermatologists on how to take basic clinical photographs in dermatology using a digital camera.
• ATAwiki.com – Telehealth wiki home page for teledermatology information sharing and collaboration.

Forms

• Project Outreach Teledermatology Consultation Form
• Acne/PFB Patient Information Form
• Alopecia Patient Information Form
• Non Pigmented Skin Lesion Patient Information Form
• Other Patient Information Form
• Pigmented Lesion Patient Information Form
• Rash Patient Information Form
• Patient History Form for Non-Internal Medicine Case
• Dermatology Protocol: Real-Time
• Dermatology Protocol: Store & Forward
• Dermatology Camera Lab Notes
• History Form

Outside Resources

• American Academy of Dermatology Association Position Statement on Telemedicine (22 May 2004)
• Assessment of Patients' Acceptance of and Satisfaction with Teledermatology (December 2004) - George Demiris PhD1, Stuart M. Speedie PhD2, Lanis L. Hicks PhD1, Trisha A. Taylor1, Karen Edison MD1 (1 Health Management and Informatics, School of Medicine, University of Missouri; Columbia, MO; 2 Laboratory Medicine and Pathology, University of Minnesota; Minneapolis, MN)

SIG Meetings

• Teledermatology SIG Minutes from ATA 2010 Meeting (17 May 2010)
• Teledermatoloty SIG Minutes from ATA 2008 Meeting (8 April 2008)

Outside Resources

• TeleDerm 2010: The 3rd Annual Congress of Teledermatology (28-30 October 2010)

SIG participation is an exclusive benefit to ATA members. If you are interested in joining this group, contact the chair, email ATA at membership@americantelemed.org or call ATA at 202-223-3333.