Franco-African paediatric teledermatology: a store-and-forward network

Abstract

Background: Given the frequency of dermatological diseases in children and the difficulties in accessing specialist care in Africa, teledermatology services, such as store-and-forward (SAF), could be used an alternative approach for improving patient care. The dermatology department of the Argenteuil hospital in France developed a SAF network with paediatricians from seven French-speaking African countries. This study assessed the value of this Franco-African SAF collaboration by identifying the advantages and challenges associated with the first 100 uses of the SAF system.

Methods: Paediatricians belonging to medical societies in French-speaking African countries were provided with information on how to register for the SAF service. The first 100 SAF requests were evaluated. Information about the paediatricians who used the service, and patient demographic, clinical and management data were systematically collected.

Results: Twenty-five (10.2%) paediatricians, out of 244 who registered, submitted cases to the SAF network. In 95 cases, a response was sent within 24 h of submission. In 24 cases, additional information was needed (clinical data, n = 17; photos, n = 6; a histological report, n = 1; identity details, n = 1). The mean age of the children was 5.8 ± 5.0 years, with a predominance of girls (n = 61). Most patients had chronic pathologies (≥ 1 month) (n = 56) belonging to three main groups: chronic inflammatory diseases (n = 42), infectious diseases (n = 23), and genetic diseases (n = 11). As a result of the SAF requests, further examinations were proposed in 39 cases, treatment in 82 cases, and hospitalisation in 11 cases.

Conclusion: The SAF approach is an effective solution for improving access to dermatological care in Africa, providing an alternative method for expert consultation when resources are limited, without diminishing the role of local dermatologists. For dermatologists, this solution provides access to expertise on unusual pathologies and allows solutions to be offered that are tailored to the resources available in the field.

Keywords: Adolescents; Children; Infants; Newborns; Paediatric dermatology; Store-and-forward; Teledermatology.