DermaLab
10/2022 - 02/2023
Bachelorthesis @ HfG Schwäbisch Gmünd
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Challenged Problem
Dermatology is facing an enormous overload: too many patients and too few dermatologists lead to long waiting times and severely limited treatment durations, often just 5 minutes per patient. At the same time, teledermatology offers a promising solution. Studies show that up to 90% of dermatological conditions can be diagnosed and treated solely through the submission of images and anamnesis data. This not only significantly relieves physicians but also enhances the efficiency of care. Only 10% of patients would still need to visit a practice for further diagnostics or treatment. However, what is missing is an integrated system that effectively links both worlds, the teledermatology and traditional practice, to alleviate the burden on dermatological practices and sustainably optimize patient care.
Participants
Luzie Funk
Niklas Moldan
Project Abstract
Dermalab is a digital system that transmits and processes telemedicine diagnosis data for dermatologists on-site. It enables them to focus on personalized patient therapy, supporting their individualized treatment plans. By optimizing the use of consultation time, Dermalab aims to relieve dermatologists while improving patient outcomes and comfort. We achieve this through standardized diagnostic documentation, preliminary therapy recommendations, and interoperable practice management tools.
Project documentation
Project trailer
Design process
Initially, telemedicine, dermatology and teledermatology were examined from different perspectives. In each case, status reports were formed and examined for potentials and challenges. From this, we generated findings which were evaluated together with experts from the various sub-areas and underpinned with real examples from practice. We were able to draw on a number of dermatologists and a project partnership with the teledermatology company dermanostic.
The user interviews with practicing physicians, along with several observations in clinics, allowed us to gain a detailed understanding of established procedures and workflows. This enabled us to identify opportunities for digitization through our practice management software. In one of the visited practices, for example, the diagnoses are documented by the physician on custom-designed paper (example below, filled with dummy content by the physician). He also demonstrated his daily routine as he moves between different treatment rooms. After leaving a room, he decides which room to enter next, aided by a light signal system. The practice staff communicates via these light signals. For instance, there is a lamp in the practice hallway that indicates whether the doctor is running 20, 30, or 40 minutes behind schedule. In front of each treatment room, another lamp is installed, capable of displaying up to three colors simultaneously. The colors are controlled by a simple switch system inside the rooms. Different color-light combinations signify different meanings, such as: 'MFA with patient (do not disturb, patient may be undressed),' 'very short appointment (e.g., injection, quick check-up),' or 'longer appointment,' etc.
Through numerous conversations with individuals personally affected and by accompanying various patients during their healing process, we were able to map the patient journey and conduct a touchpoint analysis.