Paediatric dermatology teleconsultations: a survey of healthcare professionals in the UK

We present findings from a survey of healthcare professionals regarding teleconsultations in paediatric dermatology. Our results demonstrate varying practice, and variation in opinion on the effectiveness and optimal format, of paediatric teleconsultations, supporting the need for further research. This work stems from a UK Dermatology Clinical Trials Network Trainee group (2021) and will inform on a randomized controlled trial if teleconsultations are effective and acceptable for the follow-up care of patients with paediatric eczema. The COVID-19 pandemic catapulted dermatology services into a digital era, with the rapid introduction of teleconsultations. The UK National Health Service operational planning guidance recommends >= 25% of consultations are delivered remotely. There is a lack of data regarding the acceptability and effectiveness of paediatric dermatology teleconsultations. We surveyed UK healthcare professionals (HCPs) to explore their experiences of teleconsultations in paediatric dermatology, with a focus on follow-up consultations for paediatric eczema (PE), to inform a future clinical trial. There were 119 responses. Pre-pandemic, 37% provided some form of teleconsultation service, rising to 92% post-pandemic. In total, 41% (n = 49) now carry out > 25% of consultations remotely. We found 55% felt teleconsultations were less effective than face-to-face ones for PE follow-up. Eighty HCPs offered teleconsultations for PE. Among the HPCs who offered teleconsultations for PE, the most effective format for follow-up consultations was felt to be telephone with photographs (52/80, 65%). Our results demonstrate varying opinion on the effectiveness and optimal format of paediatric teleconsultations, supporting the need for further research.