Virtual nursing has received a lot of attention in primary care and behavioral health. But virtual specialist care is also gaining ground, including in the field of dermatology, where visiting specialists isn’t always easy.
Chicago startups SkinIO A skin screening app has been developed that can help early detection of the most common cancers by first analyzing photos taken by smartphones.The technology piqued the interest of Penn Medicine and Capital Blue Cross affiliates Smart Health Innovation Lab, this week announced that SkinIO has joined the Healthcare Technology Accelerator.
SkinIO currently works with most self-insured employer groups as well as some payers (such as Capital Blue Cross), health systems, and medical institutions that provide technology to members and patients. Lancaster, Pennsylvania-based SHIL is a joint venture between Aspire Ventures, Capital Blue Cross, Clio Health and Penn Medicine Lancaster General Health. By joining the lab, SkinIO hopes to make its technology available to more people at a time when cancer screenings have declined during the pandemic. Kyoko Crawford, Co-founder and CEO of SkinIO.
The pandemic has led to more people turning to virtual care and has asked insurers to increase coverage of telehealth services. While this has been a boon for health tech companies, it has reduced the number of routine screenings as patient and clinician concerns about the spread of Covid-19 have significantly reduced in-person visits, including preventive care. Research An article published last year in the Journal of the American Academy of Dermatology showed that Covid-19 has delayed the diagnosis and treatment of skin cancer.
“Our technology builds on the concept of whole body photography of the skin,” Crawford said in a phone interview. “It’s a key focus. ”
She noted that the app guides people to take skin photos by body parts, such as head and shoulders, torso, torso and legs.AI-powered image processing algorithms zero out moles, lesions, and other markings on the skin and securely send the image to SkinIO’s panel Reviewed by a board-certified dermatologist.
Doing so costs only a third of the cost of a dermatology visit, Crawford said. “SkinIO can be done in the office or at home for under $100, and for patients, we’re deploying it, so it’s usually a covered benefit.”
Follow-up in-person care, such as evaluating a worrisome mole, is then scheduled as needed.
“If our reviewing dermatologist sees something in the photos and results that requires in-person viewing or a possible biopsy, our customer service team will connect that individual with the appropriate dermatologist in their area,” Crawford said. De said.
Instead of delaying screening because people can’t see a dermatologist, this portable technology allows people to conveniently start the screening process.
“You can rest assured that you are fully awake or have quick access to care And make sure the issues are resolved as early as possible,” SHIL CEO Kim Ireland said by phone.
It was important for SHIL to find a user-friendly solution, and SkinIO lived up to that standard, she said. “It’s a tool that we feel anyone can use because their interface is so well designed.”
A growing number of health organizations are offering patients the option of having virtual skin exams, including screening for cancer, as well as access to teledermatology to assess other skin conditions.platforms and applications such as Miskin and UMS Skin Check Mole map and full body skin screening options are also available.
There are indeed companies like TytoCare Aims to complete annual physicals at home.
In the case of SkinIO, SkinIO is positioning itself as a comprehensive, AI-powered option that is currently offered primarily as a built-in benefit, typically for employees covered by self-insured group plans.The company Crawford co-founded with the Chicago-based firm focuses on early detection Dermatologist and skin cancer surgeon Dr. JC Lapiere successfully treated her father-in-law’s melanoma after discovering a tiny problematic spot during a full-body skin examination. Melanoma, the size of a grain of black pepper, was overlooked before exams, she said.
“We realized that even before the pandemic, much of the country had no access to this profession Unless you live in midtown Manhattan or downtown Chicago,” Crawford said. “Some places are a complete dermatology desert, and we have the technology, nurses in community clinics, clinical studies of remote screening in RVs. Available to coordinator or spouse or family member at home. “
Photo: SkinIO
