Evaluating Telehealth Diagnostic Accuracy in Oral and Maxillofacial Diseases
Author Information
Author(s): Lau Jeremy, Frydrych Agnieszka M., Parsons Richard, Balasubramaniam Ramesh, Kujan Omar
Primary Institution: UWA Dental School, The University of Western Australia
Hypothesis
Telehealth is a relatively accurate form of consultation and is well-accepted by patients.
Conclusion
Telehealth is less reliable than in-person consultations for diagnosing oral diseases but shows promise for screening and monitoring.
Supporting Evidence
- 67% of telehealth diagnoses matched in-person diagnoses.
- 87.1% of in-person mucosal disease diagnoses were within the telehealth differential diagnosis.
- Telehealth consultations were well-received, with 81% of participants willing to use it again.
Takeaway
This study looked at how well doctors can diagnose mouth problems using video calls instead of in-person visits. It found that while video calls can help, they aren't as good as seeing a doctor face-to-face.
Methodology
The study involved 100 patients who underwent both telehealth and in-person consultations on the same day to compare diagnostic accuracy.
Potential Biases
The study's design may have introduced bias due to the lack of assistance from oral health professionals during telehealth consultations.
Limitations
The study did not evaluate the quality of clinical photographs or video calls used during telehealth consultations.
Participant Demographics
Participants ranged in age from 19 to 91, with a mean age of 63; 33% were male and 67% were female.
Statistical Information
P-Value
0.676
Statistical Significance
p<0.05
Digital Object Identifier (DOI)
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