Question 1

Who reviews the cases I submit?

Accepted Answer

Every case is reviewed by a registered South African dermatologist. Our AI analysis assists the specialist internally to speed up their review, but the response you receive is always authored and approved by the dermatologist — you will never receive an unreviewed AI answer.

Question 2

How fast will I get a response?

Accepted Answer

Our target is 4 business hours from submission to specialist response. Most cases are designed to be actionable the same business day, often while the patient can still return the same afternoon.

Question 3

What does DermDesk cost?

Accepted Answer

R200 per case, paid by card at submission via Paystack. There is no subscription, no monthly minimum, and no contract. Billing is attached to your practice, so charges roll up cleanly for your accounts.

Question 4

Is this a diagnosis?

Accepted Answer

DermDesk is clinical decision support from a registered dermatologist to you as the treating practitioner. The final clinical decision always rests with you and the reviewing specialist. It does not replace an in-person consultation where one is clinically indicated.

Question 5

How is patient privacy protected (POPIA)?

Accepted Answer

We never collect patient names, ID numbers, or contact details. You record only your own internal file reference, the patient's age and sex, clinical notes, and photographs. All patient data is stored encrypted in South Africa. Notifications never contain any clinical information.

Question 6

Do I need the patient's consent?

Accepted Answer

Yes. The submission form includes a consent confirmation step — you confirm the patient has consented to their de-identified photographs and clinical information being reviewed. The consent wording is versioned and stored with every case.

Question 7

What photos should I take?

Accepted Answer

One wider shot for body-location context and one close-up, in good natural light and in focus. Add dermoscopy images or additional lesions if relevant. You can submit one to five photos per case, captured directly with your phone camera.

Question 8

What happens if the condition is urgent?

Accepted Answer

If the reviewing dermatologist identifies red flags, the response is flagged with the recommended urgency, including urgent referral where indicated. DermDesk complements — and does not delay — emergency care: if you suspect an emergency, refer immediately.

Question 9

Who at my practice can use DermDesk?

Accepted Answer

Each person at your practice gets their own login — clinicians submit and view full responses, while reception staff can submit cases and track status without seeing clinical detail. Shared logins are not permitted, which protects both your patients and your practice's audit trail.

Question 10

Can I keep a record for the patient file?

Accepted Answer

Yes. Every case — images, notes, the specialist response, and timestamps — remains available on the platform as a permanent record, with a print-friendly view you can print or save as a PDF for your patient file.

Question 11

Does it work during loadshedding?

Accepted Answer

Yes. The app works offline: you can complete a case form and attach photos without a connection, and the draft is saved on your device. When connectivity returns, you pay and submit. Only the payment step needs a connection.

Question 12

Is the AI making the decisions?

Accepted Answer

No. The AI produces an internal draft analysis that only the dermatologist sees, helping them respond faster. The specialist confirms, edits, or rewrites it entirely. The clinical opinion you receive carries the dermatologist's professional accountability.

Frequently asked questions