The utility of remote auscultation was unknown. This study aimed to evaluate internet-connected real-time remote auscultation using cardiopulmonary simulators. In this open-label randomized controlled trial, the physicians were randomly assigned to the real-time remote auscultation group (intervention group) or the classical auscultation group (control group). After the training session, the participants had to classify the ten cardiopulmonary sounds in random order as the test session. In both sessions, the intervention group auscultated with an internet-connected electronic stethoscope. The control group performed direct auscultation using a classical stethoscope. The total scores for correctly identified normal or abnormal cardiopulmonary sounds were 97/100 (97%) in the intervention group and 98/100 (98%) in the control group with no significant difference between the groups (p > 0.99). In cardiac auscultation, the test score in the control group (94%) was superior to that in the intervention group (72%, p < 0.05). Valvular diseases were not misclassified as normal sounds in real-time remote cardiac auscultation. The utility of real-time remote cardiopulmonary auscultation using an internet-connected electronic stethoscope was comparable to that of classical auscultation. Classical cardiac auscultation was superior to real-time remote auscultation. However, real-time remote cardiac auscultation is useful for classifying valvular diseases and normal sounds.

Background We have shown classical cardiac auscultation was superior to remote auscultation. We developed a phonocardiogram system to visualize sounds in remote auscultation. Objective This study aimed to evaluate the effect of phonocardiograms on the diagnostic accuracy in remote auscultation using a cardiology patient simulator. Methods In this open-label randomized controlled pilot trial, we randomly assigned physicians to the real-time remote auscultation group (control group) or the real-time remote auscultation with the phonocardiogram group (intervention group). Participants attended a training session in which they auscultated 15 sounds with the correct classification. After that, participants attended a test session where they had to classify 10 sounds. The control group auscultated the sounds remotely using an electronic stethoscope, an online medical program and a 4-K TV speaker without watching the TV screen. The intervention group performed auscultation like the control group but watched the phonocardiogram on the TV screen. The primary and secondary outcomes were the total test scores and each sound score, respectively. Results A total of 24 participants were included. The total test score in the intervention group (80/120, 66.7%) was higher than that in the control group (66/120, 55.0%), although the difference was statistically insignificant ( P = .06). The correct answer rates of each sound were not different. Valvular/irregular rhythm sounds were not misclassified as normal sounds in the intervention group. Conclusions Using a phonocardiogram improved the total correct answer rate by more than 10% in remote auscultation, although statistically insignificant. The phonocardiogram could help physicians screen valvular/irregular rhythm sounds from normal sounds. Trial registration UMIN-CTR UMIN000045271; https://upload.umin.ac.jp/cgi-open-bin/ctr/ctr_view.cgi?recptno=R000051710

A 60-year-old man was admitted with a 1-month history of fever and weight loss. Multiple lymphadenopathies and haemophagocytic lymphohistiocytosis were noted from the beginning, suggesting lymphoma. However, lymph node biopsy was deferred because lymph node biopsy was regarded as being invasive and requires general anaesthesia, and because other possible differential diagnoses including gastrointestinal malignancies and TAFRO syndrome were being considered. Instead, investigations including gastrointestinal endoscopy and bone marrow biopsy were prioritized. The patient was eventually diagnosed with Hodgkin’s lymphoma based on lymph node biopsy but died during chemotherapy. Physicians should prioritize the tests that are most directly related to the diagnostic outcome, even if they are invasive.

A 79-year-old woman presented with fever and pleural chest pain. Based on the assessment of mild community pneumonia in an immunocompetent patient, outpatient follow-up was planned. However, the patient was admitted several hours later with a diagnosis of pneumococcal pneumonia with bacteraemia. In addition, selective immunoglobulin M deficiency was detected. In this case, although a history of recurrent osteomyelitis was provided, the physicians overlooked the information suggesting immunodeficiency, which led to an incorrect diagnostic and management decision. Obtaining the past medical history is essential, but utilizing it is even more important to avoid clinical decision-making errors.

A 79-year-old woman presented with fever and pleural chest pain. Based on the assessment of mild community pneumonia in an immunocompetent patient, outpatient follow-up was planned. However, the patient was admitted several hours later with a diagnosis of pneumococcal pneumonia with bacteraemia. In addition, selective immunoglobulin M deficiency was detected. In this case, although a history of recurrent osteomyelitis was provided, the physicians overlooked the information suggesting immunodeficiency, which led to an incorrect diagnostic and management decision. Obtaining the past medical history is essential, but utilizing it is even more important to avoid clinical decision-making errors.