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The regulation of the interstate practice of dermatopathology, teledermatopathology and teledermatology is the subject of discussion in many recent articles. Laws and regulations in many states complicate such interstate practice, requiring the dermatopathologist to be licensed in the state where the biopsy is taken if the dermatopathologist practices in and is licensed in a different state. To date, this discussion has been from the viewpoint of the dermatopathologist or dermatologist. But, when seen from the patient's viewpoint, its apparent that most such state regulation may be void as an unconstitutional infringement of a patient's fundamental right of unrestricted interstate travel under the Constitution of the United States of America. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The expansion of telemedicine nationwide has resulted in many states adopting specific telemedicine regulations to avoid the issue of requiring a full medical license to practice telemedicine. How these laws and regulations relate to the practice of telepathology and teledermatology has not been well delineated. It is important to understand these regulations to avoid potential judicial penalties arising from non-compliance. This article aims to outline state-specific telemedicine regulations and penalties.

Understanding malpractice risk and practicing risk management strategies results in better care and a less stressful environment of practice. Errors in diagnosis are most commonly related to melanoma and neoplasms of the skin. To offset the threat of malpractice litigation, malpractice data can be used to focus safety efforts on common diagnostic errors. Recognition of sources of error in the analysis of pigmented lesions by dermatopathologists, and the development of new immunohistochemical or genotypic techniques for the recognition and distinction of malignant disease from benign pigmented lesions, will also provide important improvements in care and diagnosis in the future., (Copyright © 2012 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.)