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- Title
Evaluating the potential impact of a mobile telemedicine system on coordination of specialty care for patients with complicated oral lesions in Botswana.
- Authors
Tesfalul, Martha; Littman-Quinn, Ryan; Antwi, Cynthia; Ndlovu, Siphiwo; Motsepe, Didintle; Phuthego, Motsholathebe; Tau, Boitumelo; Mohutsiwa-Dibe, Neo; Kovarik, Carrie
- Abstract
Mobile telemedicine involves the use of mobile device (e.g., cell phones, tablets) technology to exchange information to assist in the provision of patient care. Throughout the world, mobile telemedicine initiatives are increasing in number and in scale, but literature on their impact on patient outcomes in low-resource areas is limited. This study explores the potential impact of a mobile oral telemedicine system on the oral health specialty referral system in Botswana. Analysis of 26 eligible cases from June 2012 to July 2013 reveals high diagnosis concordance between dental officers and oral health specialists at 91.3% (21/23) but significant management plan discordance at 64.0% (16/25), over two-thirds of which involved the specialists disagreeing with the referring clinicians about the need for a visit to a specialist. These findings suggest mobile telemedicine can optimize the use of insights and skills of specialists remotely in regions where they are scarce.
- Subjects
BOTSWANA; TELEMEDICINE; ELECTRONIC health records; ORAL hygiene; PATIENT management; HEALTH management; ORAL diseases; COMPARATIVE studies; DENTISTS; RESEARCH methodology; MEDICAL cooperation; MEDICAL referrals; MEDICAL specialties &; specialists; ORAL medicine; RESEARCH; DISEASE management; CELL phones; EVALUATION research; HIV seroconversion; THERAPEUTICS
- Publication
Journal of the American Medical Informatics Association, 2016, Vol 23, Issue e1, pe142
- ISSN
1067-5027
- Publication type
journal article
- DOI
10.1093/jamia/ocv140