Diagnostic Agreement between Teleconsultation and Clinic-based Consultation in Dermatology.
- Author:
Sang Jai JANG
1
;
Yong Suk LEE
;
Duk Kyu CHUN
Author Information
1. Department of Dermatology, Sanggye Paik Hospital, Inje University College of Medicine, Seoul, Korea. ORI1@chollian.net
- Publication Type:Original Article
- Keywords:
Telemedicine;
Teledermatology
- MeSH:
Delivery of Health Care;
Dermatology*;
Diagnosis;
Humans;
Referral and Consultation;
Remote Consultation*;
Telemedicine
- From:Korean Journal of Dermatology
2002;40(11):1339-1345
- CountryRepublic of Korea
- Language:Korean
-
Abstract:
BACKGROUDN: Telemedicine has the potential to reform the delivery system of dermatologic health care. OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this study was to investigate the concordance and accuracy of diagnosis and the management plan of dermatologist's teleconsultation and traditional clinic-based consultation. METHODS: Eighty-eight lesions of 77 patients were examined by digital image and clinic-based consultation by one dermatologist. The reliability and accuracy of the dermatologist's diagnoses and the reliability of the management recommendations were compared. RESULTS: The concordance of diagnosis between telemedicine and clinic-based consultation showed high levels(complete agreement, 92.05%; complete + partial agreement, 97.73%). The agreement on management recommendations was variable. The diagnostic confidence and the image quality affected the agreement. CONCLUSION: The digital image consultations result in reliable diagnostic outcomes when compared with the traditional clinic-based consultaion. And it is necessary to investigate the accuracy of teledermatology and to identify clinical conditions inappropriate for teleconsultation.
