Teledermatología asincrónica a través de WhatsApp®: experiencia en la Pontificia Universidad Católica de Chile

Background In Chile, there is little access to Dermatology outpatient consultations in the public health care system, which has favored the development of tele dermatology (TD). Aim To assess satisfaction levels of primary care providers with a TD channel via the social networking app WhatsApp® and the concordance between the diagnosis of general practitioners and dermatologists at Pontificia Universidad Catolica de Chile. Material and methods An electronic survey was answered by the general practitioners who participate in the TD channel. In 417 cases, the diagnostic concordance between general practitioners and specialists was assessed. Results The survey was answered by 84 practitioners. General satisfaction levels with the platform were over 95%. Satisfaction levels with the response speed and the management suggested by the specialist were over 90%. Over 80% of the practitioners read the consultation sent by dermatologists and considered that their dermatological knowledge improved. Diagnostic concordance between practitioners and specialists was 41%. Conclusions TD via a WhatsApp® group linked to a university is a low cost and easy to implement intervention, generating high levels of satisfaction among general practitioners.