ACRRM’s Tele-Derm service features dedicated specialists, including dermatologists Dr Jim Muir and Dr Rachael Foster, and plastic surgeon Dr Dan Kennedy, offering expert advice and resources.

Dr Jim Muir is based in Brisbane, QLD and has been providing dermatology education resources and advice since the service started 20 years ago. Dr Muir’s dedication to ACRRM's Tele-Derm is valued by Rural Generalists across Australia. 

Dr Rachael Foster, based in Perth, WA, joined Tele-Derm in February 2015. Dr Foster has an interest in paediatric dermatology, female genital dermatology, and contact allergies (patch testing).

Dr Dan Kennedy joined Tele-Derm in December 2015. Dr Kennedy runs the Pacific Day Surgery Centre in Brisbane, QLD and has his own private practice.

 

Message from Dr Dan Kennedy

Sometimes you will read Tele-Derm Q&A threads and they will seem quite complex if they are outside your area of experience. It’s important to remember that there are no stupid questions and that it can be helpful to discuss quite simple matters if it means an improved outcome for your patient or a better nights sleep for you.  
 
I sometimes read dermatology answers and wonder if I was actually awake in medical school. In my defense, some of the information has come to light since the dark ages of my time at uni. The public nature of the discussion forum on Tele-Derm is both a strength and a weakness. It is valuable to be able to see the answers to everyone’s questions, but it can make posting your own question more daunting. Don’t be put off by thinking that your question will be an embarrassment to you. We are all advanced learners on this forum, and knowing what it is that you don’t know, is a sign of wisdom.


 

Message from Dr Rachael Foster

I have loved being a part of the Tele-Derm team now since 2015. It is great being able to interact directly with rural doctors and some of my most interesting cases come through Tele-Derm. It is also nice to be able to give back to the rural system where I did some of my training as a medical student and junior doctor without travelling. Hopefully when my kids are a bit older, I will be able to get back out there as well! 

The feedback that many rural docs give us about cases is great for our learning too, and it is great to allow patients to be managed at home as much as possible. In terms of advice, I would advise users to take lots of photos of the rashes to capture their distribution, with some good close ups. Even if you don't submit them all, sometimes if we need more imaging then you have it up your sleeve. And keep submitting cases!
 

Message from Dr Jim Muir

Tele-Derm has been in existence for two decades. ACRRM was very likely one of the first organisations in the world to recognise and, more importantly, employ technology to deliver better outcomes for rural and remote doctors and their patients. When I first got involved, the service was delivered via satellite broadcasts!

We now have a team of practitioners available to give advice across the range of 'skin issues' from neonatal to general dermatology to skin cancer to surgical conundrums and leg ulcers. If needed, I also call on radiation oncologists, immunologists, and dermatopathologists.  

For those who don't yet utilise the advice service, the thing to remember is that we will give an answer within 48 hours. This does not have to be instead of an in-person review, but it might just save the need for one.

The educational cases provided in Tele-Derm are a goldmine. No other service in the world allows practitioners to see such a wide range of actual clinical issues addressed in real time. Doctors can gain clinical experience across the board from neonatal to geriatric dermatology, skin of colour to skin malignancy. For those of us working in the city it gives some small insight into the challenges facing doctors in truly remote and resource poor locations. We can't always 'nut them out' but the approach to skin disease is illustrated with every case. 

COVID brought more than its fair share of challenges. One good outcome was the 'online interactive educational event'.  We plan to continue these as regular events and welcome suggestions for topics to be covered. 

We exist in a world of ever increasing 'treatment opportunity'. Management of metastatic malignancy has been revolutionised in the last 10-years. Psoriasis, eczema, hidradenitis suppurativa, urticaria and a host of rarer conditions can be relived or even eliminated with 'biologics'. Field radiation has undergone a resurgence in interest for the management of skin cancer. At Tele-Derm, we hope to be able to provide cogent and timely advice on optimal utilisation of these new agents. 

On a personal note, I would like to thank ACRRM for keeping me on their books for 20 years. We welcome your feedback on how to improve the service.

Let us know.
Jim.