Electronic records and the ability to practice telemedicine has opened up a whole new world of patients for dermatologist Deborah Longwill, DO, of the Miami Center for Dermatology. Sitting right in the cruise capital of the world, Miami, Dr. Longwill began treating crew members of Carnival and Holland America about 4 years ago. “A lot of the things that I would see I could take care of with just a picture,” says Dr. Longwill. “And most of [what I would do] would be just a recommendation to a doctor on board.” This arrangement evolved into a prospering telemedicine business, where Dr. Longwill began advising the general doctor on board about their crew’s skin concerns—as well as any conditions that cropped up among the passengers. Here’s how it works: “We get a notice that we’re receiving a patient via telemedicine. We talk to the doctor onboard [after receiving a series of pictures] and give recommendations,” she says. “It saves the cruise line lots of money and saves the patient a lot of time.”
