Abstract:
A teledermatology system promotes a faster and efficient way of consultation under extreme
geographical barriers as it utilizes modern communication technology for the transfer of information while
incorporating the store-and-forward technology.
A teledermatology system with chat support and reminder alerts via SMS is developed for the
Philippine Genera! Hospital to cater for dermatological problems whose consulting patient is situated in an
area far from where there are enough dermatology experts around. UP-PGH Telederm is equipped with
functionalities that will lessen the burden experienced when consulting under tremendous geographical
conditions and will lessen the cost of travel and strain on the part of the patient. The store-and-forward
technology used by the system which allows images to be uploaded and used as the basis of diagnosis
instead of the actual patient is highly cost-efficient and time-saving. The records and other information are
easily appended into the database and can be easily retrieved and viewed by users who have granted
access to it. All these are done with less paper work and lower manpower. The easy retrieval of patient
information as well as the efficient exchanges of ideas fostered by the maximization of modern
communication technology like private messaging, forums, and chat support which are all part of the
system greatly fosters the objectives of an efficient teledermatology network.
Hosting the system in the internet makes the transfer of information faster and less viable for data
corruption and losses as it will be safely guarded by firewalls against falsified access. The reminder
system increases the degree of recall on both the sending and receiving user for scheduled chat
conversations.
