Telemedicine

The rate of UTIs diagnosed in the outpatient setting increased between 2008 and 2017, especially among older adults and in patients receiving virtual care, researchers reported in Clinical Infectious Diseases.

by Mike Greiwe, MD

A teledermatology program at the Cleveland Clinic resulted in a reduction in visits and diagnostic concordance comparable to previously reported findings, according to results published in Journal of the American Academy of Dermatology.

Physicians were more likely to receive a five-star satisfaction rating on a direct-to-consumer, or DTC, telemedicine platform when they prescribed antibiotics for pediatric respiratory tract infections, or RTIs. Researchers noted that pediatricians were less likely to prescribe antibiotics than other clinicians, yet had higher satisfaction ratings.

Dermatology practices required evolution and adaptation as the COVID-19 pandemic struck the United States. One of the ways the specialty has been able to continue serving patients was via implementation of comprehensive telemedicine programs.