Accuracy of remote chest X-ray interpretation using Google Glass technology.
OBJECTIVE
We sought to explore the accuracy of remote chest X-ray reading using hands-free, wearable technology (Google Glass, Google, Mountain View, California).


METHODS
We compared interpretation of twelve chest X-rays with 23 major cardiopulmonary findings by faculty and fellows from cardiology, radiology, and pulmonary-critical care via: (1) viewing the chest X-ray image on the Google Glass screen; (2) viewing a photograph of the chest X-ray taken using Google Glass and interpreted on a mobile device; (3) viewing the original chest X-ray on a desktop computer screen. One point was given for identification of each correct finding and a subjective rating of user experience was recorded.


RESULTS
Fifteen physicians (5 faculty and 10 fellows) participated. The average chest X-ray reading score (maximum 23 points) as viewed through the Google Glass, Google Glass photograph on a mobile device, and the original X-ray viewed on a desktop computer was 14.1±2.2, 18.5±1.5 and 21.3±1.7, respectively (p<0.0001 between Google Glass and mobile device, p<0.0001 between Google Glass and desktop computer and p=0.0004 between mobile device and desktop computer). Of 15 physicians, 11 (73.3%) felt confident in detecting findings using the photograph taken by Google Glass as viewed on a mobile device.


CONCLUSIONS
Remote chest X-ray interpretation using hands-free, wearable technology (Google Glass) is less accurate than interpretation using a desktop computer or a mobile device, suggesting that further technical improvements are needed before widespread application of this novel technology.
University of Kansas Medical School, Kansas City, KS, USA.
Emily
E
Spaedy
VA North Texas Healthcare System, Dallas, TX, USA; University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, TX, USA.
Georgios E
GE
Christakopoulos
VA North Texas Healthcare System, Dallas, TX, USA; University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, TX, USA.
Muhammad Nauman J
MN
Tarar
VA North Texas Healthcare System, Dallas, TX, USA; University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, TX, USA.
Georgios
G
Christopoulos
VA North Texas Healthcare System, Dallas, TX, USA; University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, TX, USA.
Bavana V
BV
Rangan
VA North Texas Healthcare System, Dallas, TX, USA; University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, TX, USA.
Michele
M
Roesle
VA North Texas Healthcare System, Dallas, TX, USA; University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, TX, USA.
Cristhiaan D
CD
Ochoa
VA North Texas Healthcare System, Dallas, TX, USA; University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, TX, USA.
William
W
Yarbrough
VA North Texas Healthcare System, Dallas, TX, USA; University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, TX, USA.
Subhash
S
Banerjee
VA North Texas Healthcare System, Dallas, TX, USA; University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, TX, USA. Electronic address: esbrilakis@gmail.com.
Emmanouil S
ES
Brilakis
D040421:Cell Phone / Q000592:standards; D006801:Humans; D013902:Radiography, Thoracic / Q000379:methods / Q000592:standards*; D000072177:Radiologists / Q000592:standards*; D017216:Telemedicine / Q000379:methods / Q000592:standards*; D014965:X-Rays
Chest X-ray; Interpretation; Novel technology; Telemedicine