On the “occasion of the event”, let’s speak dermatology “organized on June 23, 2025 in Paris Health Campus, a round table bringing together doctors, researchers and associations explored the concrete solutions that shape the future of skin care.
No need to wait six months for an appointment with the dermatologist: today, a simple photo may be enough to obtain a specialized opinion. There Dermatological tele -expertisein full swing since the COVID crisis, transforms access to skin care, in particular in regions where dermatologists are scarce.
The principle is simple: a health professional (general practitioner, pharmacist or nurse) sends an image of the suspicious lesion to a dermatologist via a secure platform. The specialist responds within 24 to 48 hours, without seeing the patient face -to -face.
In certain situations, the delay even falls a few hours, as at the Henri-Mondor hospital.
Dermatological tele -expert: a response to the shortage of specialists
In Burgundy-Franche-Comté, where there are only 2.8 dermatologists for 10,000 inhabitants, the boom in tele-expertise is spectacular: +124 % acts between 2022 and 2024. The number of requesting physicians, called “applicants”, has also exploded (+120 %).
This system does not replace the face-to-face consultation, but makes it possible to prioritize urgent cases. According to networks, 10 to 30 % of requests give rise to a physical consultation. For oncodermatology, this rate climbs more than 30 %.
Another unexpected effect: general practitioners improve. By dint of receiving specialized answers, they develop their skills and learn to better identify benign lesions.
“It’s a form of continuing education“”observes Marie-Claude Boiteux, president of the Association Cutis Laxa International.
From digital tools to sorting AI: dermatology rocks in a new era
The development of artificial intelligence also plays an accelerator role. In Marseille, the melanoma screening center already uses 3D vectraa tunnel equipped with 92 cameras that captures the entire body in a second. The AI then sorts the suspect beauty grains.
“She sometimes detects things that we do not see yet”specifies Dr Jilliana Monnier.
These technologies are not intended to replace dermatologists, but to assist them. The promise: faster diagnosis, improved monitoring, and better sorting of patients. “In Star Trek, there is always a doctor”slipped a speaker in the blink of an eye.
But be careful not to dehumanize the care. The need for a complete clinical examination, of real contact, remains essential, in particular to detect certain invisible locations in photo.
“”It’s an aid, not a substitution “hammers pr you anh Duong.
Information on social networks
Another striking development: direct information of patients by social networks. Pioneer in the field, the dermatologist known as Dermato’drey Sensitizes his community every day on Instagram and Tiktok.
She shares frequent diagnostics, prevention advice and deconstruction of false marketing promises.
“You have to stop leading to perfect skin. Showing reality is also treating“She explains.
Faced with the shortage of specialists and online disinformation, this medical presence on networks has become an essential link in the chain of care.
Administrative brakes, training, organization: conditions for it to work
The generalization of tele -expertise is not obvious. Certain administrative rules slow down its development. For example, a doctor cannot charge a tele-expertise on the same day as a consultation, with regional exceptions. And the responsibility of the dermatologist remains engaged, even without having seen the patient.
Another issue: training. Professionals must learn to take exploitable shots (wide plan, tight plan, visible scale), while dermatologists must learn to make an image diagnosis.
“We set up a photo tutorial”explains Dr Monnier, “with simple but precise instructions“.
Finally, everything is based on a solid territorial organization. The working model? Regional care teams, integrating generalists, paramedics, specialists and coordinators. In Île-de-France, these networks already cover around thirty CPTS, with a financing of up to 100,000 euros per year.
“We must not oppose technological innovation and local organization”insists Luc Sulimovic, president of the SNDV.
Efficiency comes from the cumulation: tele -expert, face -to -face, AI, social networks, business actions. Everything is good, as long as the patient is well oriented.