Teleotolaryngology: a retrospective review at a military tertiary treatment facility.
OBJECTIVE
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.


METHODS
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.
Haegen
Timothy W
TW
Department of Surgical Services, Naval Medical Center San Diego, California 92134-2200, USA. twhaegen@nmcsd.med.navy.mil
Cupp
Craig C
CC
Hunsaker
Darrell H
DH
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000554:Ambulatory Care Facilities; D002140:California; D003199:Computer Systems; D004867:Equipment Design; D006801:Humans; D008875:Middle Aged; D008889:Military Personnel; D010038:Otorhinolaryngologic Diseases / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000601:surgery; D012017:Referral and Consultation; D019114:Remote Consultation / Q000295:instrumentation / Q000379:methods* / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D015203:Reproducibility of Results; D012189:Retrospective Studies