Title |
Mobile teledermatology: a feasibility study of 58 subjects using mobile phones
|
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Published in |
Journal of Telemedicine and Telecare, January 2008
|
DOI | 10.1258/jtt.2007.070302 |
Pubmed ID | |
Authors |
Christoph Ebner, Elisabeth MT Wurm, Barbara Binder, Harald Kittler, Gian Piero Lozzi, Cesare Massone, Gerald Gabler, Rainer Hofmann-Wellenhof, H Peter Soyer |
Abstract |
We investigated the diagnostic agreement between teledermatology based on images from a mobile phone camera and face-to-face (FTF) dermatology. Diagnostic agreement was assessed for two teledermatologists (TD) in comparison with FTF consultations in 58 subjects. In almost three-quarters of the cases (TD1: 71%; TD2: 76%), the telediagnosis was fully concordant with the FTF diagnosis. Furthermore, the diagnosed diseases were almost all in the same diagnostic category (TD1: 97%; TD2: 90%). If mobile teledermatology had been used for remote triage, TD1 could have treated 53% subjects remotely and 47% subjects would have had to consult a dermatologist FTF. TD2 could have treated 59% subjects remotely, whereas 41% subjects would have had to consult a dermatologist FTF. Forty-eight subjects responded to a questionnaire, of whom only 10 had any concerns regarding teledermatology. Thirty-one subjects stated that they would be willing to pay to use a similar service in future and suggested an amount ranging from euro5 to euro50 per consultation (mean euro22) (euro = pound0.7, US $1.4). These results are encouraging as patient acceptance and reimbursement represent potential obstacles to the implementation of telemedicine services. |
Mendeley readers
Geographical breakdown
Country | Count | As % |
---|---|---|
Brazil | 2 | 3% |
Hungary | 1 | 1% |
Switzerland | 1 | 1% |
Ireland | 1 | 1% |
Netherlands | 1 | 1% |
Oman | 1 | 1% |
United States | 1 | 1% |
Unknown | 71 | 90% |
Demographic breakdown
Readers by professional status | Count | As % |
---|---|---|
Researcher | 13 | 16% |
Student > Master | 13 | 16% |
Student > Ph. D. Student | 10 | 13% |
Student > Postgraduate | 8 | 10% |
Student > Bachelor | 7 | 9% |
Other | 22 | 28% |
Unknown | 6 | 8% |
Readers by discipline | Count | As % |
---|---|---|
Medicine and Dentistry | 31 | 39% |
Computer Science | 8 | 10% |
Social Sciences | 7 | 9% |
Nursing and Health Professions | 5 | 6% |
Engineering | 5 | 6% |
Other | 12 | 15% |
Unknown | 11 | 14% |