Analysis of Dermatologic Counseling by PC Communication.
- Author:
Jung Hoon CHA
1
;
Chang Keun OH
;
Ho Sun JANG
;
Kyung Sool KWON
Author Information
1. Pusan National University, College of Medicine, Department of Dermatology, Pusan, Korea. ckoh@pusan.ac.kr
- Publication Type:Original Article
- Keywords:
Teledermatology;
Dermatologic counseling;
PC communication
- MeSH:
Acne Vulgaris;
Alopecia;
Counseling*;
Delivery of Health Care;
Dermatology;
Diagnosis;
Humans;
Internet;
Korea;
Outpatients;
Statistics as Topic;
Telemedicine;
Urticaria
- From:Korean Journal of Dermatology
2001;39(5):581-586
- CountryRepublic of Korea
- Language:Korean
-
Abstract:
BACKGROUND: Telemedicine(tele+medicine=medicine at a distance) is a health care delivery system to deliver health care to patients at distant sites. In Korea, medical counseling by PC communication is nearly the only available field in the telemedicine at present. However, the concerns of telemedicine is growing as an issue, and dermatologists in Korea should be prepared for "the era of teledermatology". OBJECTIVE: We analyzed the queries of PC communication and the internet. Based on the results of the analysis, we tried to establish a more effective medical counseling system by PC communication and make them basic data to prepare the utilization of telemedicine system. METHODS: We analyzed questions and answers in ten sites in a computer mediated communication system from Jan 1 to Dec 31, 1997. RESULTS: The proportion of questions in dermatologic area among all medical fields was relatively high(8.7-13.4%). The frequency was acne, urticaria, alopecia, and so on, in an order of high frequency, which was different from previous results in a statistical study of outpatients in dermatology. Reasons for questions were to know the treatment method(42.2%), to get the diagnosis (23.7%), and so on. Contents of answers were explanation(46.5%), advice to visit doctors(40.4%), and so on. CONCLUSION: The proportion of dermatologic questions in telemedicine was high, and there are possibilities of dermatology's being important in the future of telemedicine. Therefore, dermatologists should be prepared for the future telemedicine era. However, teledermatology should be evaluated thoroughly and improved because we could see some problems in that.
