VisualDx

“I work in the Tropics, and my experience here has highlighted how little I know about recognizing eruptions on black skin. Occasionally, I encounter skin conditions that are typical of tropical regions. I find your images and diagnostic aids incredibly useful. For example, I once treated a 10-year-old girl who came in with a pustule at her waistband, which had a central black dot. She complained of feeling movement within the pustule. Thanks to VisualDx, I was able to identify and extricate a botfly.”

“I recently saw a patient who was concerned about strep after noticing white spots in the back of her throat. After observing ulcerations rather than exudate in her posterior oropharynx, I used VisualDx to confirm that she had herpangina, not strep. This allowed me to reassure her with confidence.”

“To bring positive change to the medical care provided to Black, Latinx, and other patients with non-white skin, we need to change the way medical education is being taught. Our students must have access to technologies and leadership training that ensure they become health professionals who provide care that is reflective, inclusive, and equitable.”

“I have used VisualDx for several cases on inpatients and have been able to avoid the use of a dermatology referral because of the detailed images and information found in VisualDx.”

“I was treating a cardiology patient with complaints of syncope, which has a fairly long differential. Our team couldn’t identify a cause, and no medications stood out as potential triggers. The patient was on an older antiarrhythmic medication, which we believed should reduce syncopal episodes if the patient was in normal sinus rhythm. However, when using the VisualDx app, we discovered that this medication is known to interact with another of the patient’s medications and cause syncope. Thanks to VisualDx, we identified the issue, leading to a great outcome for the patient.”

“Throughout medical school and internal medicine residency, I received limited dermatological training. The use of VisualDx has significantly improved my diagnostic and therapeutic decision-making. One example that stands out is when a young female came to my continuity clinic with a smooth, annular raised lesion. I would have struggled to identify it on my own, but with VisualDx’s search engine, I confidently diagnosed it as granuloma annulare. Now, I’ll never forget it!”

“An African American female presented to our clinic with concerns for cancer after finding a dark line on her fingernail. After comparing melanoma and longitudinal melanonychia images and clinical content and asking more relevant questions, I was able to alleviate my patient’s concern for cancer and convince her of her diagnosis.”

“I used VisualDx to help diagnose shingles in an elderly woman of color who had severe dementia and was unable to clearly communicate what was wrong. She repeatedly pointed to her side, so we conducted a thorough skin examination and noticed an atypical dermatomal rash with some vesicles. The rash didn’t have the classic ‘dew drops on a rose petal’ appearance due to her darker skin tone. VisualDx helped narrow down the differential diagnosis, leading us to the correct conclusion. Her rash resolved with the appropriate treatment for shingles.”

“A patient presented with loss of consciousness following an overdose on hard drugs, along with skin lesions, persistent hypotension, and fever. My suspicion of toxic shock syndrome (TSS) was confirmed using VisualDx. The blood culture results further supported the diagnosis.”

“A patient presented with diffuse ulcerative/herpetic mouth lesions, massive hepatomegaly, and significant new-onset shortness of breath. Blood work was completed, and VisualDx helped me diagnose leukemia. The patient is now undergoing critical treatment. The app was very easy to use. Thank you.”

“Utilizing the VisualDx app on my phone and printing relevant patient education handouts via the website empowers my patients to educate themselves about their diagnoses and know that evidence-based medicine is being practiced. I feel that this tool leads to greater patient satisfaction and outstanding customer service in our practice.”

“I had a young man with a rash I hadn’t seen before and was concerned it might be Fournier gangrene, even though he wasn’t septic and wasn’t diabetic. I used VisualDx’s algorithm to narrow down the diagnosis, and it turned out to be Fournier gangrene. We were able to diagnose it very early, which was crucial as he became very sick quickly while still in the ER. VisualDx was instrumental in helping me identify the condition and decide on the appropriate treatment course early on. Thanks for such a great product!”

“During my shift in the ED, a patient presented with an unknown rash that had been present for 2-3 days without other systemic symptoms. Using VisualDx, I was able to classify the rash based on its color, texture, and description to narrow down the diagnosis. Even though it was between two possible rashes, VisualDx helped me communicate effectively with the family and reassure them about the management and treatment plan.”

““I showed the VisualDx picture to the patient, and she agreed that it matched her rash. We ordered additional tests, and she planned to follow up with her primary care provider. Having a firm diagnosis was reassuring for both the patient and me.””

““The patient was extremely disappointed that I could not explain her rash,” says Dr. Holland, who also worked with Dr. Weed during medical school. “I checked VisualDx and, using the differential diagnosis features, I had a diagnosis within two minutes: Livedo reticularis (mottled skin linked to constricted blood vessels).”

““I recently had an African American female patient who presented with complaints of weakness, feeling cold, and a new onset of a graphic rash on her posterior thighs, characterized by a repetitive reticulated pattern. Despite significant clinical experience, I had never seen this rash before, especially not in an African American patient.””

“A patient presented with a fever and an angry-looking rash. Using VisualDx, I was able to describe the rash more accurately, moving beyond just ‘maculopapular,’ and it helped me formulate a comprehensive differential diagnosis. The resident and I used the app together, and we concluded that the patient had DRESS syndrome, leading to her admission.”

“Working with VisualDx will take things to new heights by giving our clinical staff assistive tools to help accurately and efficiently diagnose myriad patient concerns, even in specialty areas like dermatology and orthopedics that may otherwise require referrals.”

“A patient came in very concerned about the possibility of scabies and asked numerous questions about how to care for her belongings, prevent spreading, and more. I used VisualDx to review the entire diagnosis with her, and the patient handout was particularly helpful. It provided detailed instructions on laundering bedding and other necessary steps. She appreciated having all the information emailed to her, which addressed any future questions she might have. Leaving the office with tangible next steps made her feel more in control of her scabies.”

“I saw a young Hispanic man with a rash on his trunk, which I diagnosed as tinea versicolor relatively quickly. Although I explained the diagnosis and treatment options, he seemed hesitant to accept the diagnosis, given that he had the rash for many years and expected a more complex discussion. I decided to show him photos from VisualDx, which displayed rashes similar to his. Seeing these images helped him accept the diagnosis more readily. In this instance, VisualDx was incredibly useful in reassuring the patient and allowing for a more focused discussion on treatment options and prognosis.”

“I had a patient who came for a consultation after being aggressively treated multiple times for a fungal infection that wasn’t improving. The previous diagnoses were incorrect, as the condition was actually pityriasis rosea. I used VisualDx to show the patient various photographs of the condition, which immediately reassured him and clarified the correct diagnosis.”

“Recently, I encountered a patient with a darker skin tone who had been struggling with chronic eczema flare-ups. Diagnosing eczema in patients with skin of color can be challenging due to its varied presentation, which often leads to delays in diagnosis and management. Using VisualDx, I accessed a comprehensive library of images that accurately depicted eczema across diverse skin tones. This visual comparison allowed me to confidently diagnose the patient’s condition, which had previously been misidentified as another condition.”

“I recently encountered a case labeled ‘rule out measles’ from a local health agency. While it clearly wasn’t measles, I noticed monomorphic Koebnerized papules scattered across the patient’s body. With some help from VisualDx, I arrived at a diagnosis of lichen nitidus. My attending was skeptical, so we decided to biopsy, and lo and behold, it was indeed lichen nitidus. I looked awesome!”

“I credit VisualDx for reminding me to think about this rare disorder in a timely manner. Thank you.”

“Besides the online version, I have VisualDx on my iPad and iPhone to share images with patients at the bedside in real time. I use VisualDx on almost every shift, and it remains a powerful tool for my colleagues and me.”