Transformation Directorate

Dermatology digital playbook

How to use digital ways of working to improve outcomes for patients

This resource provides support to clinical teams and organisations that are looking for digital tools that support the delivery of patient pathways. We concentrate on dermatology services and how to deliver monitoring and support to patients. We welcome feedback on the playbooks, including ideas for further case studies. To get in touch, please email digital.playbooks@nhs.net

Scenarios

I want to help patients self-manage and monitor their skin conditions

Digital tools and information available to lead effective self management

I want digital tools that allow patients to send images to clinicians securely

Opportunities to provide a patient led service, allowing patients to provide information and upload photographs for review by a clinician

I want to use a personal mobile device to take clinical images of patients quickly and securely

Digital solutions for clinicians to securely store and forward photos

I want to equip and train GPs to use dermatoscopes to photograph moles for skin cancer triage

Digital tools and information available to support primary healthcare teams with their learning

I want to use digital technology to develop teledermatology services for advice and guidance and referral triage

Digital solutions to help all systems to safely manage patient demand and enable digital conversation between clinicians in primary and secondary care

How hospital doctors can share patient images quickly and securely

Digital solutions which allows healthcare teams to share sensitive information and images securely

I want to streamline managing inpatient referrals

Digital solutions to create an efficient and effective referrals service

I want to streamline 2 week wait pathways in secondary care

Digital solutions to support the entire patient pathway in secondary care

Pathway


Dermatology pathway

Explore case studies at different steps along the dermatology pathway

Case studies

An app to measure eczema symptoms using the Patient Oriented Eczema Measure

An app to measure eczema symptoms using the Patient Oriented Eczema Measure

POEM is a way of monitoring eczema activity on a weekly basis. It can be completed electronically using an app and the score automatically calculated and plotted so eczema severity can be tracked over weeks and months.
Taking images securely to get advice and guidance

Taking images securely to get advice and guidance

A tool for teamwork and collaboration, providing health and social care professionals with features including instant messaging and photo sharing.
A teledermatology pilot to improve cancer care in Leeds

A teledermatology pilot to improve cancer care in Leeds

Leeds teledermatology skin cancer pilot to assess two-week-wait (2ww) referrals
Using an app for advice and guidance and referral management to help reduce dermatology appointments

Using an app for advice and guidance and referral management to help reduce dermatology appointments

Advice and guidance using a commercial platform to take and share images and videos securely.
Teledermatology using e-Referral Service advice and guidance at the Royal Devon and Exeter Hospital

Teledermatology using e-Referral Service Advice and Guidance (e-RS A&G) at the Royal Devon and Exeter Hospital

Using eRS to provide advice and guidance remotely to improve referral management and streamline patient pathways.
Teledermatology advice and guidance service at the Barts Health NHS Trust

Teledermatology Advice and Guidance (A&G) service at the Barts Health NHS Trust

E-Referral Service (e-RS) Advice and Guidance for dermatology routine referrals to improve patient pathways and provide dermatology education to GPs
Close up of a person sat at a desk, typing on a laptop

Digital innovation to support the redesign and delivery of a community dermatology service

Supporting inpatient and skin cancer 2 week wait pathways in a community secondary care dermatology department.
Secure web platform for advice and guidance to reduce inappropriate outpatient referrals

Secure web platform for advice and guidance to reduce inappropriate outpatient referrals

Use an online portal to take and share images for rapid advice and guidance and avoid unnecessary referrals
Doctor sat at desk opposite a patient

A teledermatology assessment service for combined routine and 2 week wait (2WW) skin lesions

A teledermatology service for suspected skin cancer that allows assessments to happen in a GP surgery.
Use of a teledermatology platform to reduce dermatology referrals to secondary care

Use of a teledermatology platform to reduce dermatology referrals to secondary care

A teledermatology platform installed in practices to enable clinicians to make informed referrals
Transformation of the routine management of dermatology cases

Transformation of the routine management of dermatology cases

A whole pathway approach to address the issue of demand and capacity in Gloucestershire.
A text messaging and video call system between clinician and patient in primary care

A text messaging and video call system between clinician and patient in primary care

GP practices across the country have digitised contact with patients, ensuring those most at risk continue to receive appropriate care during the pandemic.
Teletriage service for two-week wait referrals

Teletriage service for two-week wait referrals

A secure platform to take and share images for teletriage service.
App to send photos directly from patient to dermatologist

App to send photos directly from patient to dermatologist

A smartphone app that allows GP-referred patients to upload and share their clinical photographs and information and get a diagnosis and treatment plan from their dermatologist within three working days.
Virtual patient consultation: Stirling Community Hospital, Stirling and Queen Elizabeth University Hospital, Glasgow

Virtual patient consultation: Stirling Community Hospital, Stirling and Queen Elizabeth University Hospital, Glasgow

Virtual patient consultation at Stirling Community Hospital.
Teledermatology and e-Referral Service advice and guidance

Teledermatology and e-Referral Service advice and guidance

e-Referral Service (e-RS) advice and guidance at York Teaching Hospital NHS Foundation Trust.

Dermatology webinar

Watch the dermatology webinar we presented with the British Association of Dermatologists on 13 April 2021.

The webinar password is ddp2021 and the Zoom passcode is 9Q?@jt*0

Disclaimer

These case studies summarise user and patient experiences, focussing on:

  • digital solutions along different care pathways
  • productivity improving digital solutions
  • how to open source code for health and care organisations

Unless expressly stated otherwise, the apps and digital tools referenced are not supplied, distributed or endorsed by NHS England or the Department of Health and Social Care and such parties are not liable for any injury, loss or damage arising from their use.

All playbook case studies have either passed, or are currently undergoing the Digital Technology Assessment Criteria (DTAC) assessment.

Please note the full legal disclaimer: NHS Transformation Directorate playbook disclaimer