The SERIS’s push for teledermatology has reduced the average waiting time to see a dermatologist by 76 percent. The Minister of Health and Social Policies, María Martín, announced this on the 3rd, along with SERIS’s manager, Luis Ángel González, and the head of the Dermatology Service, Iñigo Martínez de Espronceda, during their visit to the Centro de Alta Resolución de Procesos Asistenciales San Millán (CARPA) in Logroño.
Martín highlighted that SERIS’s promotion of online teledermatology, included in the service portfolio of the Hospital Universitario San Pedro in 2023, "has reduced the average wait time to see a dermatologist by 76%. Over the past two years, teledermatology has decreased the waiting time to be seen by a specialist from 148 days in January 2023 to 35 days by February 28, 2025."
This successful approach will expand to Calahorra and across Rioja Baja through the integration of the Calahorra Hospital into SERIS. Additionally, Martín noted, "the number of patients waiting for a first consultation has significantly decreased from 4,746 to 635 in the same period of time." She emphasized, "This is a success for both patients and the Riojan Health Service. By using Artificial Intelligence and new technologies for this screening, we prioritize the most serious cases, especially those related to tumor pathology, and achieve an earlier diagnosis."
Martín stated, "With these tools, the Riojan Health Service is strengthened because projects like this, which involve Primary and Hospital Care, attract and retain talent." In fact, the Dermatology Service of SERIS will be reinforced with four new specialists, bringing the total to fourteen.
INCREASE IN USAGE
On the other hand, Iñigo Martínez de Espronceda, head of the Dermatology Service, explained that this tool’s usage has grown in recent years. It has facilitated the prioritization of tumor pathology, the diagnosis and treatment of more common dermatological diseases in less than 48 hours, and the monitoring of chronic conditions, as well as the efficient request for complementary tests or specific referrals.
Its use allows for monitoring skin abnormalities, changes in treatment, and other medical assessments. It is estimated that this mode of care prevents 4,500 Riojans from having to travel to see a specialist each year. In 2024, through teledermatology, 1,294 malignant processes were diagnosed (910 basal cell carcinomas, 248 infiltrating squamous cell carcinomas, 49 infiltrating melanomas, 26 in situ melanomas, and 61 malignant lentigines).
Teledermatology has improved the prognosis of both squamous cell carcinoma and melanoma by diagnosing and intervening in these tumors at an earlier stage.
PROCESS STARTING IN PRIMARY CARE WITH SIETE INFANTES AS A PIONEER
It is a simple system (requiring a digital camera, a dermatoscope, and an internet-connected computer) and fast (patients receive an evaluation in less than 48 hours, with a medical report containing the diagnosis and appropriate treatment or a correct face-to-face appointment).
The process begins in the primary care physician’s office, where the patient is assessed. In cases of diagnostic uncertainty and the need for dermatological treatment, photos of the patient’s lesion are taken on the spot or the patient is referred to trained nursing personnel for dermatological photo documentation. Through the electronic medical record software, the images are sent to the specialist.
The specialist interprets the images and prepares a report with the diagnosis and appropriate treatment. If the dermatologist suspects the lesion is malignant or requires a face-to-face consultation, the patient will be scheduled for an appointment in a few days for malignant tumor lesions or later for less severe conditions.
The Siete de Infantes de Lara health center in Logroño was the first to implement this system, which was gradually rolled out to other health zones in La Rioja. The main advantage of teledermatology is the streamlining of care and the closer coordination between Primary and Hospital Care.
This is a significant advancement in the prevention of skin cancers, as when detected early, they can be cured in 100% of cases.
