Evaluation of the Effect of Consultant Characteristics on Telemedicine Diagnosis and Treatment

• Main Authors: Ann B. Bynum, Cathy A. Irwin
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Published: Hindawi Limited 2011-01-01
• Series: International Journal of Telemedicine and Applications
• Online Access: http://dx.doi.org/10.1155/2011/701089

This study examined teleconsultants' specialty, practice setting, type of employment, years and training in telemedicine to evaluate the effect of these characteristics on diagnoses and treatment. A postuse survey was conducted during 1998–2003 (n=454 consultations) in the University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences' Rural Hospital, Telehealth Project. There were 61 consultants who conducted the teleconsultations. The teleconsultants established a diagnosis in 121 consultations and reported a change in diagnoses in 29 consultations. The consultants established a treatment plan in 219 consultations and reported a change in the treatment plan in 100 consultations. Dermatologists were significantly more likely to establish (P<.01) and change (P=.005) the diagnosis and to establish a treatment plan (P=.03), when compared to all other specialties. Teleconsultants who were self-employed were significantly more likely to change the treatment plan (P=.012). The findings suggest that teleconsultants' characteristics can affect diagnoses and treatment in telemedicine.