Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jun 15, 2025
Assessing Early Stage Open-Angle Glaucoma in Patients by Isolated-Check Visual Evoked Potential
Published on: May 25, 2020
Digital otoscopy in remote consultations
Erik Appelberg1, Sanna Viitasalo1, Lena Hafrén1
1Department of Otorhinolaryngology - Head and Neck Surgery, Head and Neck Center Helsinki University Hospital and University of Helsinki Helsinki Finland.
Introduction:
Otoscopes and otomicroscopes are the most commonly used instruments for visualizing the ear. Digital otoscopy (DO) could be used to improve diagnostics in primary health care by utilizing image enlargement. The aim of the study was to explore the possibilities of DO in remote consultations.
Materials And Methods:
Based on real-life referrals, 45 otologic outpatients were recruited. DO was performed followed by an attending otologist's appointment, serving as the gold standard. Twenty-four patient cases were analyzed on a digital platform as remote consultation cases containing the given referral information supplemented with DO videos (DOVs). A total of 71 evaluations were performed by five otologists. The quality of the DOVs, their suitability for remote consultations, the accuracy of diagnoses and the usefulness of remote consultations were determined.
Results:
The average DOV quality was judged to be 7.4 ± 0.3 (mean ± standard error of the mean; scale of 1-10). The diagnosis was correct in 79% of the cases. In 59% of the patients, the otologists considered that remote consultation could have replaced an in-person visit.
Conclusions:
In our simulated remote consultation setup, DOV quality was sufficient for diagnostic purposes, DO improved diagnostics and treatment planning in most cases and could be used to reduce the need for in-person visits. DO-aided remote consultation may improve diagnostics and access to care.Level of evidence: 3.
