Teleotolaryngology: A retrospective review at a military tertiary treatment facility

OBJECTIVE/HYPOTHESIS: The use of real-time telemedicine in providing quality health-care in multiple specialties has been demonstrated in several small studies; however, a review of the literature reveals no large-scale prospective or retrospective telemedicine studies in otolaryngology. The telemedicine office at Naval Medical Center San Diego (NMCSD) acquired a large otolaryngology telemedicine patient database, and this study reviews the otolaryngology telemedicine experience at NMCSD over an 18-month period. STUDY DESIGN: We conducted a retrospective and reviewed new patient consults for the NMCSD otolaryngology telemedicine clinic from April 1, 2001, until November 6, 2002. RESULTS: During the study period, a total of 883 patients received new patient evaluations. Of 883 patients, 568 (64.3%) received a preliminary diagnosis and were treated accordingly. Telemedicine resulted in the avoidance of 22.7% consults. Only 115 (13.0%) of 883 patients required traditional face-to-face otolaryngology consultation. In addition, only 30 (4.3%) of 705 patients who underwent flexible nasopharyngoscopy, otomicroscopy, or nasal endoscopy received incomplete examinations. CONCLUSIONS. Our study demonstrates the ability of telemedicine to function in an general otolaryngology setting.