E-Health system: A tool for investigating pattern of dermal diseases in remote beneficiary network of telemedicine under Mayo hub

Objective To analyze pattern of skin diseases in remote areas of Punjab diagnosed by telemedicine network. Methods Rural centers at the district and tehsil levels (Rajanpur, Dera Ghazi Khan, Khushab, Sahiwal, Gujrat and Jhang regions of Punjab) were connected to tertiary care centers with specialized telemedicine equipment. The images were transmitted live. Prescriptions were written and duly forwarded. Patients were called to the tertiary care center for further investigations and examination if needed. Results A total of 11,892 patients were treated. Acne was the commonest disorder (42%), followed by dermatophytosis (28%), scabies (22%) and eczemas (18%). Infestations and infections are common in patients from poor socio-economic strata. Conclusion Telemedicine is beneficial for providing services to remote areas and can be used as a preventive measure by educating people.