Teledermatology in Morecambe Bay : a still photographic approach

• Main Author: Harrison, Philip V.
• Published: University of Edinburgh 2001
• Subjects: 616.5
• Online Access: http://ethos.bl.uk/OrderDetails.do?uin=uk.bl.ethos.652170

Telemedicine, or the practice of medicine at a distance, is a relatively recent medical development. The easy access of the skin, and an extensive visual knowledge of dermatological problems throughout the history of dermatology, lends the speciality to the practice of telemedicine. In Morecambe Bay, with a greater than average skin cancer incidence, we have examined the use of telemedicine to enhance dermatological management. A historical perspective examines the history of dermatological illustration, and also traces the development of photography and medical photography. Because art and medicine may link, art is a common theme, particularly since an artist derives knowledge and understanding from observation in the same way as dermatologists, when examining skin problems. Conventional and digital photographs are examined as a medium for examining dermatological problems, and studies described which support the use of teledermatology in patient management. The work concludes by examining the use of artificial intelligence for skin tumour diagnosis, and potential for automated telemedicine, forward looking to the next millennium.