Original articleSpeed of Telemedicine vs Ophthalmoscopy for Retinopathy of Prematurity Diagnosis
Section snippets
Study Examiners
All ophthalmoscopic and telemedicine diagnoses in this study were performed by 2 pediatric retinal specialists (R.V.P.C., T.C.L.) and 1 pediatric ophthalmologist (M.F.C.). Each study examiner was experienced in ROP diagnosis and management and was responsible for performing regular ROP examinations at an academic medical center. Each examiner had previously published peer-reviewed studies involving ROP, and 2 (T.C.L., M.F.C.) had served as certified investigators in the Early Treatment for ROP
Results
The time required for telemedicine diagnosis was significantly lower than the time required for diagnosis at the infant bedside for all examiners (P < .0001 for each examiner; Table 1). Mean (± standard deviation [SD]) times for telemedicine diagnosis ranged from 1.02 (± 0.27) minutes to 1.75 (± 0.80) minutes. Mean (± SD) times spent by examiners at the infant bedside for ophthalmoscopic diagnosis ranged from 4.17 (± 1.34) minutes to 6.63 (± 2.28) minutes. The latter times included all of the
Discussion
This study was designed to compare the ophthalmologist's speed of ROP diagnosis using telemedicine vs traditional bedside ophthalmoscopy. Our findings revealed that: 1) ROP diagnosis by the ophthalmologist is significantly faster via telemedicine, and 2) there are significant time requirements by ophthalmologists associated with ROP diagnosis at the NICU bedside beyond ophthalmoscopy. In this study, ophthalmoscopic diagnoses were performed during routine clinical care, whereas telemedicine
Michael F. Chiang is an Irving Assistant Professor of Ophthalmology and Biomedical Informatics at Columbia University, New York, New York. His research involves implementation and evaluation of telemedicine and electronic health record systems. Dr Chiang received a BS in Electrical Engineering and Biology from Stanford University, an MD from Harvard Medical School and Harvard-MIT Division of Health Sciences and Technology, and an MA in Biomedical Informatics from Columbia University. Dr Chiang
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Michael F. Chiang is an Irving Assistant Professor of Ophthalmology and Biomedical Informatics at Columbia University, New York, New York. His research involves implementation and evaluation of telemedicine and electronic health record systems. Dr Chiang received a BS in Electrical Engineering and Biology from Stanford University, an MD from Harvard Medical School and Harvard-MIT Division of Health Sciences and Technology, and an MA in Biomedical Informatics from Columbia University. Dr Chiang completed residency and pediatric ophthalmology fellowship training at the Johns Hopkins Wilmer Eye Institute.
Grace M. Richter will graduate in May 2009 from Columbia University College of Physicians and Surgeons and Mailman School of Public Health with an MD/MPH dual degree. She graduated summa cum laude from Washington University, St Louis, Missouri, in 2004 with a BA in Chemistry and International Studies. Grace plans to pursue an ophthalmology residency, and her current special interests include public health, ocular epidemiology, and international ophthalmology.