Dr. Goldyne is a teledermatology pioneer. With more than 45 years as a physician, the past 15 of which have been in teledermatology, he has performed thousands of remote consultations. He estimates that more than half of those patients had been previously provided with an incorrect diagnosis and therefore inappropriate therapy.

“Teledermatology is key to making sure that patients get timely access, appropriate diagnoses and optimum therapy regardless of where they live,” he says.

A young, single mother he saw in the early years of his teledermatology career made a lasting impression on him. For two years, she had been trying to get a diagnosis for her “changing mole.” Dr. Goldyne recognized it at once as a melanoma, and suggested immediate removal and biopsy. A few days later, the patient called back in concern; her local surgeon couldn’t see her for eight weeks. Knowing that time was of the essence, Dr. Goldyne found another surgeon, and it was removed two days later.

“The immediacy and adaptability of teledermatology enables us to support primary care physicians who may need a dermatologist’s expertise,” he said. “Ultimately, of course, the patient benefits because access to specialty care has been facilitated in a way previously unavailable.”