COVID-19 pandemic-related impact on two-week wait window for clinic visits in dermatology departments-results of pre-visit image referrals

摘要

The COVID-19 pandemic has led to several changes in the approach of triaging patients in two-week wait 2 WW）skin cancer clinics. These measures were taken to safely address the new skin lesion referrals in U. K's National Health Services during the pandemic 【1】. Where appropriate, hospitals and dermatology teams continued to aim to deliver remote telephone clinics for outpatient appointments for the duration of the COVID-19 outbreak, to reduce patients coming into the hospital, and support safe practice and infection control 【2】. These 2WW skin cancer referrals from general practitioners （GP） along with relevant images were sent to our service via the standard NHS national electronic Referral Service （E-rs）。 These were taken either by the patients themselves or by the GP. Of note, there was no availability of dermatoscopic images. Thereafter, the patient would be booked into a 2W/W skin cancer telephone clinic where the clinician would review the images and discuss with the patient diagnosis and appropriate management.