Teledermatology: a step forward

Telemedicine describes the application of information and communication technologies across the whole range of functions that affect the health sector. The visual nature of dermatology makes this discipline an obvious candidate for telemedicine techniques, and the feasibility and reliability of teledermatology is already well established. Skin disorders can be telediagnosed by various experts worldwide, stimulating an exchange of knowledge and expertise. Building a connected world in dermatology by promoting free-access teleconsulting is one way to harness the opportunities opened up by the Internet, although concerns over security and privacy of health-care information remain.