Educating Providers and Medical Assistants on a Skin Assessment Form for Teledermatology Consults

Abstract

Purpose: The purpose of this quality improvement project was to present a skin assessment form that could be used for documentation during teledermatology consult at Mariposa Community Health Center (MCHC). Background: Dermatologic conditions are a major disease burden in the United States and worldwide. About 85 million Americans sought care for skin conditions in 2013. With the increasing number of skin conditions and shortage of dermatologist, patients have limited access to dermatologist. Teledermatology is a branch of telehealth currently being used to bridge the dermatologist gap in most areas especially rural areas. There is limited information on efficient documentation form for providers. As a result, documentation of a skin condition for teledermatology varies based on provider discretion. A skin assessment form (SAF) could make documentation easy, straight forward and consistent among providers. Method: The logic model was used to implement the project. Thirty health care staff at MCHC were invited to participate in the project. Participants were invited through email. A pre-survey assessing participant knowledge about teledermatology program guidelines at MCHC was completed. Health providers and medical assistants participated in a one-day in-service on a skin assessment form that can be used for teledermatology documentation. After the in-service education, participants completed a post survey. Results: Eighteen invitees attended the in-service. Six participants (33.3%) completed the pre- survey and post-survey. Responses from the participants indicated the skin assessment form was well received and they were agreeable to using the form in practice. Other benefits of the form are it is simple, easy to use, straightforward and contains relevant dermatology information. 9 Conclusion: The education on the use of the skin assessment form was well received as evidenced by the agreement of the health center participants to pilot the form. Similar program evaluation or quality improvement projects has great potential to enhance teledermatology programs thereby improving efficiency and patient outcomes.