🧴 “Digital Skin Deep”: A Look at the Future of eHealth in Dermatology

Exploring how patients and professionals view the promise and pitfalls of digital care

Welcome back to the next edition of the Varrock Street Journal!
Have you ever tried managing a health concern online—maybe checking a rash via an app or messaging a provider through a portal—and wondered why it felt either incredibly convenient… or incredibly frustrating? This week, we’re diving into a study that explores what both patients and dermatology professionals think about the role of eHealth in managing skin conditions. As we continue to digitize healthcare, understanding where technology helps and where it hinders can guide better care for all.

🧠 What the Study Explored:

The researchers set out to understand two things:

1. What facilitates eHealth adoption in dermatology, and
2. What barriers make it harder to use digital tools in practice.

They conducted qualitative interviews with 10 dermatology professionals and 10 patients living with chronic skin conditions (like eczema or psoriasis) in the Netherlands. The goal? To get a real-world understanding of how people use—or avoid—digital tools in their healthcare journeys.

🔍 Key Takeaways from the Study:

✅ What Helps People Use eHealth:

• Convenience & Flexibility: Patients loved the idea of not having to take time off work or travel for care. Professionals found remote care efficient in many follow-up cases.
• Monitoring Tools: Features like uploading photos, tracking symptoms, and receiving reminders helped patients stay engaged.
• Accessibility of Information: Digital platforms made it easier to share educational resources and personalized guidance.

❌ What Makes It Hard to Use:

• Technical Issues & Complexity: Patients found some systems confusing or glitchy. Older users were particularly impacted by lack of digital literacy.
• Limited Personal Touch: Professionals expressed concern that remote care reduces the emotional, human component of dermatology visits.
• Infrastructure Gaps: Not all clinics had the right software or time to implement eHealth tools effectively.

🖼️ See Figure 2 on page 6 of the article for a visual overview of the major themes—it's a helpful summary of the barriers and facilitators.

🧴 Why This Matters:

This research highlights a reality many of us have felt: digital care has huge potential, but it’s not a one-size-fits-all solution. In dermatology, where visuals, tactile exams, and trust are crucial, we can’t let convenience override human connection.

As we push forward with teledermatology and other eHealth tools, it’s important to ensure these systems are not just “available” but actually usable—especially for the elderly, those with low digital literacy, or people with complex conditions.

🔮 Spotlight on the Future:

• Designing with Empathy: Future eHealth platforms need to be co-designed with input from both patients and providers.
• Hybrid Care Models: A mix of in-person and digital visits may become the gold standard—balancing convenience with the value of physical exams.
• Training for All Ages: Teaching digital skills to patients (especially older adults) could unlock the full potential of eHealth tools.
• Better Infrastructure: Clinics need better funding, training, and software support to integrate these platforms smoothly.

🌐 Final Thoughts:

This study reminds us that when it comes to healthcare, tech is only as good as its usability. As dermatology and other specialties increasingly adopt digital tools, we must prioritize equity, training, and emotional care. A good app can send reminders, track flares, or share resources—but it can’t replace the warmth of a provider who listens. The future of eHealth lies in blending both worlds.

📚 References:

• Vermeulen, F. M. J., van Dijk, M. R., van Geel, M. J. G. M., van Cranenburgh, O. D., de Bruin-Weller, M. S., van der Schaar, J. H., ... & Bos, J. D. (2021). Barriers and Facilitators to eHealth Use in Daily Practice: Perspectives of Patients and Professionals in Dermatology. JMIR Dermatology, 4(1), e17187. https://doi.org/10.2196/17187
• Read the full article here: JMIR Dermatology PDF