Dermatology is the field of medicine that diagnoses and treats skin conditions. There has been an increase in demand for dermatology services in Ireland in recent years. There are not enough consultant dermatologists to meet the increased demand, which has contributed to patients having to wait a long time for an appointment, particularly for non-urgent cases.
Teledermatology-supported referral management involves a dermatologist using photos, videos, or live interactive video as well as the clinical information provided by the GP. The dermatologist uses this information to decide whether to:
- prioritise the patient and refer them for in-person consultation;
- refer the patient back to the GP for management in primary care;
- book the patient directly for a procedure;
- redirect the patient to another speciality.
The aim of teledermatology-supported referral management is to manage patients more efficiently and help dermatologists triage patients.
The Health Service Executive (HSE) requested that HIQA complete a health technology assessment (HTA) to inform a decision on the implementation of teledermatology to support the management of primary care referrals. A draft version of the report was published for public consultation over a six-week period in November and December 2025. Following revision of the HTA report based on the feedback received, the final version was presented to the Minister for Health.