In the following survey, we will ask you questions about three types of teleservice for dermatology. The NHS e-Referral service will be referred to as e-RS (following the Paper Switch Off Programme in October 2018, e-RS is now the universal route for GP referrals to secondary care outpatient services in England). Please use the following definitions when answering this survey:
Triage Teledermatology - patients directed into appropriate service
Patients are referred electronically for a face-to-face appointment by their GP.
Referrals are placed in the most relevant healthcare setting.
Full Teledermatology - patient not seen in secondary care but GP advised on care (e.g. e-RS Advice and Guidance)
An alternative to a face-to-face referral.
Patients are not seen in person. Instead, the provider of the teledermatology service (the reporting specialist clinician) offers a management plan and advice to help manage the patient in the community.
If face-to-face referral is required, the GP converts the teledermatology to a face-to-face referral.
Combination of Advice and Guidance and triage (e.g. NHS e-RS Referral Assessment Service)
A mix of both the above according to patient need. Some patients are triaged to an appropriate specialist appointment, while others receive (through the referring clinician/GP) diagnostic and management advice.
* The survey should take an estimated 5-10 minutes to complete.
