Telemedicine applications in otolaryngology

A prospective study of the use of realtime and store-and-forward teleconsulting was carried out in patients who presented to the New York Eye and Ear Infirmary for otolaryngology care. Forty-five patients were seen in the study. There were no significant differences between local and remote otolaryngologists when interpreting the examinations, indicating that transmission did not affect the ability of a qualified physician to make an accurate diagnosis. In the store-and-forward examinations only 62% of the electronic records provided sufficient information for a confident diagnosis. Records were judged inadequate primarily due to poor selection, or an insufficient number of stored images. The study demonstrates that both interactive and store-and-forward techniques can be used to provide accurate clinical consultations in nasopharyngolaryngoscopic examinations. However, since store-and-forward consultations include less information and do not provide immediate feedback, a well defined clinical protocol for assembling the electronic consultation is needed.