Work

Store‐and‐Forward Teledermatological Collaboration Between Prisons and University Hospitals in Switzerland

Year: 2025

Type: article

Abstract: ABSTRACT Background Dermatological conditions are common and affect a significant portion of the population. Most affected individuals do not receive adequate treatment, leading to unnecessary suffering and social challenges. Teledermatology is seen as a promising solution for improving access to dermatological services by providing remote consultations. Implementing this diagnostic modality in Swiss prisons offers inmates timely remote dermatological assessment and treatment. Objectives The aim of this study is to analyze the impact of teledermatology on healthcare services for incarcerated individuals in Switzerland, focusing on its efficiency, time savings and prison healthcare workers' satisfaction. Methods This retrospective, multicentric analysis is based on data collected from October 2021 to January 2025 via the teledermatology platform derma2go , complemented by surveys conducted in collaboration with Swiss prisons and university hospitals. Results A total of 140 teledermatology consultations were conducted for 125 patients, with a mean age of 35.8 years; 98.4% were male. The most common Fitzpatrick skin type was IV (37.6%). Itching (42.1%) and pain (10.7%) were the most frequently reported symptoms. The leading diagnoses were eczema (17.1%) and scabies (13.6%). Average response time from dermatologists was 19.2 h. In 86.4% of consultations, the condition was managed entirely via teledermatology. Diagnostic concordance compared to in‐person consultation was 92.3%. Prison healthcare workers reported high satisfaction with the platform (VAS 8.5/10) and dermatologist responses (VAS 9.0/10). Conclusions Our study suggests that teledermatology may be an effective approach for managing dermatological conditions in prisons. Most inmates were successfully treated remotely, with high diagnostic accuracy and strong acceptance by prison healthcare workers. Teledermatology's value in this setting lies not only in clinical outcomes but also in reducing logistical barriers, costs and stigma. However, these findings are limited by the study's design, sample size and setting. Teledermatology may offer a cost‐ and time‐efficient alternative to in‐person care in access‐limited settings.

Source: JEADV Clinical Practice

DOI: 10.1002/jvc2.70167