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Virtual physical examination in teleconsultation: A scoping review
Shuk Y K Tong1, Tim M Jackson1, Annie Y S Lau1
1Centre for Health Informatics, Australian Institute of Health Innovation, Macquarie University, 75 Talavera Rd, L6, Macquarie Park, New South Wales 2113, Australia.
International Journal of Medical Informatics
|August 6, 2024
Summary
Virtual physical examination (VPE) proved valuable for patients and clinicians during the COVID-19 pandemic, offering diagnostic insights despite challenges. Key barriers included technology, patient health literacy, and safety concerns.
Area of Science:
- Medical Informatics
- Telehealth
- Clinical Examination
Background:
- Virtual physical examination (VPE) became crucial for diagnosis during teleconsultations, especially when in-person exams were limited by the COVID-19 pandemic.
- VPE offers significant diagnostic information in remote healthcare settings.
Purpose of the Study:
- To conduct a scoping review of evidence on virtual physical examination (VPE) across healthcare settings during the COVID-19 pandemic.
- To identify types of VPE, technological/non-technological approaches, patient/clinician experiences, and barriers/facilitators.
Main Methods:
- A comprehensive literature search was performed across MEDLINE, Embase, and Scopus databases.
- Included English-language studies with primary data from December 2019 to January 2023.
- Narrative analysis focused on patient and clinician experiences, adhering to PRISMA-ScR guidelines.
Main Results:
- Twenty-five articles were identified, detailing musculoskeletal, head and neck, and chest VPE.
- Sixteen studies utilized technological aids, while three used non-technological aids.
- Patients reported improved understanding of conditions; clinicians found VPE provided clinically relevant information for decision-making, particularly in neurological evaluations.
Conclusions:
- Virtual physical examination (VPE) enhances patient understanding and aids clinician assessment, providing sufficient data for neurological decision-making.
- Significant barriers to VPE include technological limitations, patient health conditions, and health literacy issues.
