title: Evaluation of the effect of consultant characteristics on telemedicine diagnosis and treatment.
abstract: 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.
authors.affiliation: Center for Rural Health, University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences (UAMS), UAMS Mailbox No. 599A, 4021 W. 8th Street, Little Rock, AR 72204-1611, USA.
authors.forename: Ann B
authors.initials: AB
authors.lastname: Bynum
authors.forename: Cathy A
authors.initials: CA
authors.lastname: Irwin