Perspectives and Challenges of Telemedicine and Artificial Intelligence in Pediatric Dermatology.

Abstract

Background: Pediatric dermatology represents one of the most underserved subspecialties in pediatrics. Artificial intelligence (AI) and telemedicine have become considerable in dermatology, reaching diagnostic accuracy comparable to or exceeding that of in-person visits. This work aims to review the current state of telemedicine and AI in pediatric dermatology, suggesting potential ways to address existing issues and challenges.

Methods: We conducted a literature review including only articles published in the last 15 years. A total of 458 studies were identified, of which only 76 were included.

Results: Most of the studies on telemedicine evaluate accuracy focused on concordance, which ranges from 70% to 89% for the most common pediatric skin diseases. Telemedicine showed the potential to manage chronic dermatological conditions in children, as well as decrease waiting times, and represents the chance for unprivileged populations to overcome barriers limiting access to medical care. The main limitations of telemedicine consist of the language barrier and the need for adequate technologies and acceptable image-quality video, which can be overcome by AI. AI-driven apps and platforms can facilitate remote consultations between pediatric dermatologists and patients or their caregivers. However, the integration of AI into clinical practice faces some challenges ranging from technical to ethical and regulatory. It is crucial to ensure that the development, deployment, and utilization of AI systems conform to the seven fundamental requirements for trustworthy AI.

Conclusion: This study supplies a detailed discussion of open challenges with a particular focus on equity and ethical considerations and defining possible concrete directions.