A comparison of telemedicine with face-to-face consultations for trauma management

Abstract

We compared the accuracy of teleconsultations for minor injuries with face-to-face consultations. Two hundred patients were studied. Colour change, swelling, decreased movement, tenderness, instability, radiological examination, severity of illness, treatment and diagnosis were recorded for both telemedicine and face-to-face consultations. Colour change showed an accuracy of 97%, presence of swelling or deformity of 98%, diminution of joint movement of 95%, presence of tenderness of 97%, weight bearing and gait of 99%, and radiological diagnosis of 98%. The severity of illness or injury was overestimated in one case and underestimated in five cases. Treatment was over-prescribed in one case and under-prescribed in three cases. The final diagnosis was correct in all but the two cases in which mistakes were made in the teleradiology. Overall, there was good accuracy using teleconsultations.