Teledermatology (Live Video Conferencing) Network Devoted to Competition Swimmers in France

ABSTRACT Background Dermatology was one of the medical specialties that pioneered telemedicine. Store‐and‐forward and live video conferencing (LVC) solutions have been developed throughout the world in response to structural challenges (e.g. medical deserts) or situational needs (e.g. COVID‐19 pandemic). In dermatology, solutions targeting specific pathologies (e.g. wounds) or patient groups (e.g., penitentiaries) have also been developed. We proposed a specialist LVC tailored to competition swimmers of Ile‐de‐France. Objectives The aim of this study was to analyse this collaboration after one season. Methods This collaboration was broadcasted several times via the Regional League's website. We proposed specific times, either early morning or late afternoon slots to all competition swimmers practicing swimming, open water swimming, artistic swimming, diving, and water polo. Results Within 10 months, 32 swimmers (90.6% “classical swimming”) had 41 LVC. Fifty‐three diseases were managed, mainly chronic (> 1 month) (81.1%), including inflammatory (50.9%) and infectious (22.4%) diseases. Face (35.8%), including eyelids (18.9%) dermatitis, were frequent reasons for LVC. In 81.1% of cases, the dermatitis were linked directly or indirectly to the swimming practice. In 79.2% of cases, a treatment was proposed, and in 15.1%, a face‐to‐face consultation. Conclusions This LVC for high‐level athletes is new and original, adapting to a group that is hyper‐involved in its sport (10–25 h of swimming practice per week). Skin diseases were generally benign, dominated by inflammatory and infectious conditions, with eyelid tropism directly linked to the practice (goggles). Management was generally easy, and adapted to the swimming practice. This LVC provides a real service to high‐level sports practitioners. It also enriches the experts' knowledge of swimmers' specific pathologies and treatments. Sharing a passion also means that care can be adapted by easily identifying the constraints associated with the sport.