Not every question requires a trip to the office. For patients who are geographically distant, who are weighing options before scheduling an in-person visit, or who need expert input on a specific clinical question that can be addressed through records and photographs, remote case review provides expert input without requiring travel.
We are direct about what remote review can and cannot accomplish. Clinical photographs and pathology reports provide substantial information. A lesion that needs palpation, dermoscopic evaluation, or biopsy determination cannot be adequately assessed remotely. We’ll tell you clearly when remote review is sufficient and when coming in is the right answer.
What remote review is appropriate for
Review and interpretation of pathology reports — particularly for patients who received a report they don’t fully understand, or who want expert commentary on the significance of specific findings.
Assessment of clinical photographs of a suspicious lesion, with guidance on whether the features suggest the lesion warrants in-person evaluation and biopsy or can reasonably be monitored.
Review of prior treatment records for a recurrent skin cancer, to assess whether the documentation suggests an explanation for recurrence and what approach makes sense going forward.
Questions about treatment plan options — what the tradeoffs are between different surgical or non-surgical approaches — where the clinical details are adequately captured in existing records.
What remote review is not appropriate for
Any situation where the lesion itself needs to be examined directly. Clinical photographs are informative but miss features that dermoscopy and palpation would reveal. If there is a lesion that might need biopsy, come in. The cost of an unnecessary trip is far smaller than the cost of delayed diagnosis.
Frequently asked questions
How do I submit materials for remote review?
Contact us to discuss your situation. We’ll tell you what materials would be most useful and how to get them to us securely.
Will I receive a written report?
Yes. Remote case reviews result in a written summary of findings and recommendations that you can share with other treating physicians.