Open Medical

Pathpoint eDerma - a valuable tool for improving the delivery of dermatology services by optimising the referral to assessment time for skin conditions including cancer and non-cancer pathways

The strain of COVID-19 on the healthcare system and other pressures mean only 65.2% of suspected cancer cases receive treatment within the standard 62-day timeframe.Urgent referrals are seen within two weeks in 79.1% of cases, but resource limitations lead to increasing rejections by secondary care facilities.Referrals rejected reached 401,115 in November 2021, an 87% increase since February 2020. Underserved areas face longer delays in accessing cancer care (The King's Fund, 2022). Early detection is crucial, highlighting the need for an equitable and accessible cancer pathway. Telemedicine services offer potential solutions, with the global teledermatology market projected to reach USD 67.43 billion by 2030, growing at a CAGR of 20.4% (2023-2030). The UK telemedicine market is estimated to reach $16.2 billion by 2030, expanding at a CAGR of 5.25% from 2022.

Pathpoint eDerma revolutionises the assessment process for suspected cancer patients, delivering faster evaluations and assisting dermatology teams in meeting diagnostic targets. It reduces the need for in-person visits, enabling faster diagnostic standards and management plans that result in exceptional care, increased patient satisfaction, and improved outcomes.

Integrated seamlessly into primary care, the NHS e-Referral Service (e-RS), and secondary care, Pathpoint eDerma transcends boundaries in care delivery and enables a comprehensive workflow from referral to discharge. It fosters collaboration, resource sharing, and enhanced data visibility among healthcare organisations across multiple Trusts and Integrated Care Systems. In line with the British Association of Dermatologists Quality Standards for TeleDermatology, it provides a robust, effective, and adaptable solution for busy multi-site Dermatology departments.

A secure cloud platform, Pathpoint eDerma enables efficient remote triaging of referrals using dermatoscopes, smartphones, and tablets in the community. The platform offers customisation options to meet departmental and local population needs, including expedited referrals, multidisciplinary team coordination, histopathology, biologics monitoring, and non-urgent skin lesion assessments.

Pathpoint eDerma addresses healthcare inequalities by establishing community diagnostic centres in underserved areas that target the CORE20PLUS5 population. This community-based approach brings healthcare services directly to those with limited access, promoting inclusivity and equitable care delivery.

• Pathpoint eDerma is rolled-out at 26 sites across 10 NHS Trusts
• Prospective health economic analyses show a net £132K saving per 5-9 eDerma sessions
• Cancer Waiting Times Reduction - 99% of referrals were assessed by a Dermatologist within 14 days)
• 72.8% of cases had either a clinical diagnosis or treatment decision at time of dermatologist assessment (average time between referral to dermoscopy appointment, 3 days and 16 hours, average time between referral to Dermatology assessment, 5 days and 17 hours)
• As of April 30, 2023, over 22,000 patients underwent the Pathpoint eDerma - teledermatology pathway

April 2023