Study: Physicians successfully diagnose pediatric skin conditions using smartphone photos

Smartphone photographs provide a convenient avenue for direct parent-to-clinician teledermatology care, according to recent research published in JAMA Dermatology.

Advertisement

Researchers from the Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia and Philadelphia-based University of Pennsylvania Perelman School of Medicine recruited 40 patients and their families from the Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia’s pediatric dermatology clinic in mid-2016. The researchers evaluated whether pediatric dermatologists’ diagnoses differed when provided with in-person examination or parent-submitted smartphone photographs of various skin conditions.

To assess the role of high-quality photographs, the researchers also offered half of parents a three-step instruction sheet on how to best photograph skin conditions with a smartphone.

The researchers determined physicians offered the same diagnoses during in-person and photograph-based consultations 83 percent of the time. Researchers also found the photography instructions given to patients’ families had no significant effect on a pediatric dermatologist’s ability to diagnose patients via photograph.

“Parent-operated smartphone photography can accurately be used as a method to provide pediatric dermatologic care,” the study authors concluded.

More articles on telehealth:
OIG to audit Medicaid services delivered via telehealth
FDA approves 1st telehealth option for programming cochlear implants
UC Davis receives $2M AHRQ grant to bring telemedicine to children with disabilities

At the Becker's 11th Annual IT + Revenue Cycle Conference: The Future of AI & Digital Health, taking place September 14–17 in Chicago, healthcare executives and digital leaders from across the country will come together to explore how AI, interoperability, cybersecurity, and revenue cycle innovation are transforming care delivery, strengthening financial performance, and driving the next era of digital health. Apply for complimentary registration now.

Register to Attend Webinar

Scaling, Stopping, and Measuring AI Value — Why Your Approach Matters More Than Your Next Pilot

Monday, July 27
1:00 PM - 2:00 PM CDT

Presenters: Kay Burke, UCSF HealthNagesh Badarla, HuronAlene Cuellar, Huron

Advertisement

Next Up in Telehealth

Advertisement

Comments are closed.