key: cord-0972293-zfdb90hr
authors: Luca, Potestio; Fabbrocini, Gabriella; Villani, Alessia
title: Letter to the editor regarding article “Gu L, Diaz SM, Lipner SR. Retrospective study of acne telemedicine and in‐person visits at an academic center during the COVID‐19 pandemic. J Cosmet Dermatol. 2022;21(1):36‐38.”
date: 2022-04-23
journal: J Cosmet Dermatol
DOI: 10.1111/jocd.15018
sha: 19a78c63362e88fd9d224096d7151b14346f85ac
doc_id: 972293
cord_uid: zfdb90hr

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Dear Editor, From March 2020, with the outbreak of Coronavirus disease 2019 preventive measures in public health have been adopted in order to reduce virus transmission. There has been a reorganization of dermatologic patient care, resulting in the reduction of in-person visits and the increase of telemedicine use 1 . We read with great interest the article written by Gu et al. 2 analyzing the characteristics of acne visits during the pandemic period and we also want to report the experience of our dermatologic center. We conducted a retrospective analysis of all acne visits (in-person and tele-visits) that were conducted at the Dermatology Centre of the In literature, several real-life experiences, confirming telemedicine efficacy in treating dermatologic patients have already been reported; moreover, with the reduction of government restriction measures, many patients continued to prefer teledermatology to faceto-face consultations. Thus, teledermatology may be a new way of medical practice, in particular for follow-up visits of chronic skin diseases such as atopic dermatitis, acne and psoriasis. [4] [5] [6] The feasibility, the possibility to join also rural areas are the main strengths of telemedicine. 4 Moreover, this could be also a way to reduce waiting lists as well as a tool

This article is protected by copyright. All rights reserved allowing to overcome logistic barriers (e.g.availabilities of dermatologists, geographical isolation, time constraint). 4 However, the main limitations remain the technical issues, depending on the computerization of ambulatories, and patients capacity to use messages or video-communication instruments. 4 Finally, telemedicine revolutionized the concept of medicine, being a valid strategy also after the pandemic. Thus, even if teledermatology played a key role during the pandemic period to fight against social distancing measures, 7 this tool will play a key role also after Covid-19 pandemic period, particularly in patients affected by systemic diseases. 4 Clinicians should keep in mind that dermatologic clinical practice is changing and the use of teledermatology in daily clinical practice is mandatory to offer patients a tailored-tail management. Certainly, further studies are required in order to evaluate long-term results of teledermatology and patients' satisfaction.

Teledermatology for acne patients: How to reduce face-to-face visits during COVID-19 pandemic

Retrospective study of acne telemedicine and in-person visits at an academic center during the COVID-19 pandemic

Teledermatology in the time of COVID-19

Teledermatology: a useful tool also after Covid-19 era?

Adherence to systemic therapy in patients with psoriasis during the COVID-19 pandemic: A multicenter study

Long-term results of teledermatology for acne patients during COVID-19 pandemic

Teledermatology and chronic skin diseases: Real life experience in a Southern Italian Dermatologic Centre