Abstract
Curbside consultations have always been a part of modern medical practice. Dermatology is given to this type of informal interaction in part due to the accessibility of physical findings, and this is amplified in pediatric dermatology due to a severe workforce shortage. The proliferation of email and especially cellphone cameras has dramatically increased the volume of such consultations many pediatric dermatologists encounter daily. In this chapter we review both the pros of curbside consultation including improved access and triage, convenience for patients, and decreased carbon footprint to name several, and the cons including potential inconvenience and volume overload for consultants, ethical and legal liability, and Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act/HIPAA concerns, as well as potential loss of income. Brief actual or adapted “case reports” are transcribed, for a more realistic appraisal of the issues involved. Trends certainly suggest the number of curbside consultations is only increasing just as provider satisfaction among dermatologists is decreasing. Recognition and attention to both the risks and benefits of curbside consultation will be critical for a sustainable care model.
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Duffy, E., Sidbury, R. (2022). Curbside Consultations in Pediatric Dermatology: Risks and Benefits. In: Faintuch, J., Faintuch, S. (eds) Integrity of Scientific Research. Springer, Cham. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-030-99680-2_32
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-030-99680-2_32
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