SYSTEMATIC REVIEW article
Front. Med.
Sec. Dermatology
Diagnostic Accuracy of Teledermatology for Skin Diseases: A Systematic Review and Meta-analysis
Katalin Martyin 1,2
Fanni Adél Meznerics 1,2
Laura Anna Bokor 1,2
Bence Szabó 2
Péter Hegyi 1,3,4
Norbert Kiss 1,2
Andras Banvolgyi 1,2
1. Department of Dermatology, Venereology and Dermatooncology, Faculty of Medicine, Semmelweis University, Budapest, Hungary
2. Semmelweis University, Centre for Translational Medicine, Budapest, Hungary
3. Semmelweis Universitiy, Institute of Pancreatic Diseases, Budapest, Hungary
4. University of Pécs, Institute for Translational Medicine, Medical School, Pécs, Hungary
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Abstract
ABSTRACT Background Skin diseases affect nearly one-third of the global population, yet limited access to dermatological care remains an unmet challenge. Teledermatology offers a promising solution, however, concerns about technological and workforce demands have limited its broader adoption. Furthermore, its diagnostic reliability across communication platforms and types, and different skin conditions remains unclear. Objectives We aimed to evaluate the diagnostic accuracy of teledermatology compared to in-person consultations. Methods We searched PubMed, Embase, and CENTRAL on November 19, 2023, for observational and experimental studies, without date or language restrictions. Primary outcomes included diagnostic concordance, Cohen's kappa, sensitivity, specificity, and predictive values; secondary outcomes were diagnostic time, teledermatology provider and patient satisfaction and interrater agreement. A random intercept logistic regression model was used to pool outcomes. Subgroup analyses were conducted by disease category, communication platform (store-and-forward, real-time, hybrid), type (indirect, direct), dermoscopy use, photography device, and training. Results Out of 30,412 records, 155 studies were included, with 139 analyzed quantitatively. Diagnostic concordance was 76% in all skin conditions (95%-CI: 73%-79%), 73% in skin cancers (95%-CI: 67%-79%) and 76% in pigmented lesions (95%-CI: 67%-83%). Use of dermoscopy significantly improved diagnostic concordance from 67% (95%- CI: 58%-74%) to 80% (95%-CI: 73%-85%) in skin cancers. No significant differences were found by communication type, platform, or photography device. The mean diagnostic time was 1.05 minutes per case (95%- CI: 0.98-1.12). Patient satisfaction was high (82%; 95%-CI: 76%-87%). Conclusions Teledermatology demonstrates high diagnostic accuracy, supporting its use as a reliable alternative to in-person care for diagnosing general skin conditions and screening for skin cancer. Given its broad applicability, teledermatology stands out as a potential tool to improve access to dermatological care.
Summary
Keywords
Meta-analysis, Skin Cancer, Teledermatology, telehealth, Telemedicine
Received
04 November 2025
Accepted
22 January 2026
Copyright
© 2026 Martyin, Meznerics, Bokor, Szabó, Hegyi, Kiss and Banvolgyi. This is an open-access article distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License (CC BY). The use, distribution or reproduction in other forums is permitted, provided the original author(s) or licensor are credited and that the original publication in this journal is cited, in accordance with accepted academic practice. No use, distribution or reproduction is permitted which does not comply with these terms.
*Correspondence: Andras Banvolgyi
Disclaimer
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