The clinical value of AI teledermatology: Transitioning from pilot to sustainable standard practice

Chelsea and Westminster Hospital NHS Foundation Trust (CWFT) partnered with Skin Analytics to implement a skin cancer pathway using DERM to build on their already award-winning teledermatology service.

This video is by the Department of Health and Social Care.

Our impact

patients seen

0

of patients avoided an urgent
face-to-face appointment

0 %

increase in skin cancer
conversion rates

0 %

The service at CWFT has undergone extensive post-market surveillance and health economic modelling which continues to show enhanced efficiency and clinical value.

The challenge

In 2021, the year before the pilot, Urgent Suspected Skin Cancer (USSC) referrals increased by 175%, equating to 7,000 that year at CWFT.

More than 90% of these referrals did not result in a diagnosis of melanoma or squamous cell carcinoma, meaning scarce dermatology time was being spent with patients with benign lesions rather than with patients who require urgent treatment.

This sustained increase in demand had an impact on Trust performance. Given that over 1 in 3 skin cancers are found in non-urgent referral pathways, increasing numbers of patients were at risk of delayed diagnosis and treatment as ever more resources were reallocated to USSC appointments.

This also had an impact on non-cancer activity, with less dermatologist time available to see and treat on routine pathways.

The solution

CWFT wanted a solution that addressed their backlog and reduced delays in skin cancer detection and treatment, without the need for additional face-to-face clinics. The Trust deployed Skin Analytics’ AI powered teledermatology platform into their existing pathway.

Prior to attending an imaging hub, patients receive an SMS containing a link to fill out a medical history questionnaire. At the hub, the patient’s medical and lesion history is confirmed and images of their suspicious mole or skin lesion are captured by a Medical Photographer using an iPhone and dermatoscope. These images are uploaded to the Skin Analytics platform for DERM to make an assessment:

Patients with benign lesions have their results communicated to them and are discharged.
For patients with suspected malignant or premalignant lesions, the case is immediately available for a Trust Dermatologist review.

As seen on ITV News

In an interview with ITV News, Dr Lucy Thomas, Consultant Dermatologist at CWFT, explains the current challenges in dermatology and demonstrates how DERM is used.

This report is independent research funded by the NHSX (AI In Health and Care Award, AI_AWARD02451: DERM: Best practice and health economic benefits of AI triage in innovative skin cancer pathways. (Skin Analytics)). The views expressed in this publication are those of the author(s) and not necessarily those of the NHS, NHSX or the Department of Health and Social Care.

Skin Analytics has been supported by the CW Innovation programme, which is led jointly by CW+ and Chelsea and Westminster Hospital NHS Foundation Trust, and looks for ideas and innovations that support the everyday care of patients. The CW Innovation team has worked alongside colleagues in the dermatology service at the Trust, providing expert advice and guidance from the earliest stage of the Skin Analytics project.