Getting an appointment with a dermatologist can take several months. Faced with this shortage, a solution is emerging in some pharmacies: teleconsultation booths equipped with a dermatoscope, allowing for the evaluation of skin lesions without an appointment or prescription.
During a national campaign conducted in February by Tessan, a company specializing in enhanced medical teleconsultations, more than 1 devices were deployed in France, including nearly 600 in Normandy. The objective: to facilitate the early detection of skin cancers.
A remote examination with a dermatoscope
Located in a discreet area of the pharmacy, the booth operates via a video consultation with a doctor. After inserting their health insurance card, the patient interacts with the practitioner and uses the connected instruments provided.
For suspicious lesions, a dermatoscope equipped with a high-definition camera can magnify a mole or spot and analyze its pigmentary structure. If necessary, images are transmitted to a dermatologist for remote consultation, with a response expected within 48 hours.
In most cases, the doctor can reassure the patient or prescribe treatment. If an in-person procedure or examination is required, a referral letter is issued.
A tool to address the shortage of specialists
In some regions, the shortage of dermatologists is particularly acute. In Occitanie, for example, just over 300 specialists practice for more than six million inhabitants. Waiting times can therefore delay a diagnosis.
Early detection is crucial. According to Public Health France, more than 240,000 skin cancers are diagnosed each year. Melanoma detected at an early stage is treatable in approximately 90% of cases.
Healthcare professionals emphasize, however, that the booth does not replace regular medical follow-up. It is a complementary tool, integrated into the care pathway, to address specific situations and quickly direct patients.
Teleconsultation in pharmacies thus appears as an intermediate solution to improve access to dermatological care, while promoting the prevention and early detection of skin cancers.
