Teledermatology: influence of zoning and education on a clinician's ability to observe peripheral lesions.
Teledermatology can benefit rural and remote communities, where specialist dermatological services may not be readily available. Regarding store-and- forward teledermatology, we hypothesized that the site of a lesion in an image (zoning) may influence a clinician's ability to observe target lesions, and that education on image viewing may improve use of this technology. We examined this by conducting both pre- and post-education studies. The education on image viewing consisted of a presentation on the outcome of the first study-survey on image viewing. The first study demonstrated that zoning influences a clinician's visual attention and that significant, concurrent lesions in the periphery may be missed. The second study demonstrated that brief education could produce a measurable change in observing peripheral lesions. These findings have medico-legal implications and suggest that further education in the use of such technology is necessary in order to optimize patient care and prevent potential errors.
The St George Hospital, Kogarah, New South Wales, Australia. kengchen74@hotmail.com
Keng
K
Chen
Adrian
A
Lim
Stephen
S
Shumack
D000328:Adult; D001315:Australia; D002280:Basal Cell Carcinoma / Q000175:diagnosis; D002983:Clinical Competence; D003625:Data Collection; D003880:Dermatology / Q000193:education* / Q000379:methods; D004503:Education, Medical, Graduate / Q000379:methods*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007642:Keratosis / Q000175:diagnosis; D008297:Male; D010781:Photography; D011336:Probability; D012680:Sensitivity and Specificity; D012871:Skin Diseases / Q000175:diagnosis*; D012878:Skin Neoplasms / Q000175:diagnosis; D017216:Telemedicine / Q000379:methods*