Can We Trust the Use of Smartphone Cameras in Clinical Practice? Laypeople Assessment of Their Image Quality

Boissin, Constance; Fleming, Julian; Wallis, Lee; Hasselberg, Marie; Laflamme, Lucie

doi:10.1089/tmj.2014.0221

Cited by 39 publications

(32 citation statements)

References 27 publications

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“…In line with recent research showing that images of quality can be taken with a smartphone, 14 our results support the notion that handheld devices are a good solution for image-based teleconsultation. The ratings addressed in this study are however limited to a small number of images and it might be that handheld devices are more suitable for occasional advice than for a high load of pictures.…”

Section: Discussionsupporting

confidence: 92%

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Image-based teleconsultation using smartphones or tablets: qualitative assessment of medical experts

et al. 2016

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BackgroundMobile health has promising potential in improving healthcare delivery by facilitating access to expert advice. Enabling experts to review images on their smartphone or tablet may save valuable time. This study aims at assessing whether images viewed by medical specialists on handheld devices such as smartphones and tablets are perceived to be of comparable quality as when viewed on a computer screen.MethodsThis was a prospective study comparing the perceived quality of 18 images on three different display devices (smartphone, tablet and computer) by 27 participants (4 burn surgeons and 23 emergency medicine specialists). The images, presented in random order, covered clinical (dermatological conditions, burns, ECGs and X-rays) and non-clinical subjects and their perceived quality was assessed using a 7-point Likert scale. Differences in devices' quality ratings were analysed using linear regression models for clustered data adjusting for image type and participants’ characteristics (age, gender and medical specialty).ResultsOverall, the images were rated good or very good in most instances and more so for the smartphone (83.1%, mean score 5.7) and tablet (78.2%, mean 5.5) than for a standard computer (70.6%, mean 5.2). Both handheld devices had significantly higher ratings than the computer screen, even after controlling for image type and participants' characteristics. Nearly all experts expressed that they would be comfortable using smartphones (n=25) or tablets (n=26) for image-based teleconsultation.ConclusionThis study suggests that handheld devices could be a substitute for computer screens for teleconsultation by physicians working in emergency settings.

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Section: Discussionsupporting

confidence: 92%

“…consultation. Concerning quality, the participants were asked to rank order the importance of five image features: 14 focus, resolution, contrast, colour and composition and then how they interpreted the word 'quality' when completing the survey. Demographic data were collected at the very end.…”

Section: Surveymentioning

confidence: 99%

Image-based teleconsultation using smartphones or tablets: qualitative assessment of medical experts

et al. 2016

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“…Initial assessments within the current project showed that the quality of images taken at point of care with smartphone cameras is good enough to be used for diagnostic support. The results showed that both size and depth of burns could be assessed at least as well using photographs as at bedside and that the image quality of handheld devices can be used as well as computers [18,19]. There are several challenges that need to be considered when evaluating the potential health impact of the system.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…of objects, people or situations) are perceived by laypeople when taken by different smartphone cameras as opposed to being taken with a digital camera (all taken by a specialist photographer) [18]. The results showed wide variations among raters (60 people in total) for any given image and camera but a relatively good level of satisfaction.…”

Section: Follow-up Design and Outcome Measuresmentioning

confidence: 99%

A smartphone-based consultation system for acute burns – methodological challenges related to follow-up of the system

Hasselberg

Wallis

Blessing

et al. 2017

Global Health Action

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Background: A smartphone-based consultation system for acute burns is currently being implemented in the Western Cape, South Africa. Even though studies indicate that similar systems for burns tend to support valid diagnosis and influence patient management, the evidence is still sparse. There is a need for more in-depth evaluations, not least in resource-constrained settings where mHealth projects are increasing. Objective: This article describes the consultation system and assessments in relation to its implementation with a special focus on methodological challenges. Methods: A number of evaluations and assessments have been conducted, are ongoing or planned for in relation to the implementation of the teleconsultation system. Initial assessments showed that size and depth of burns could be assessed at least as well using photographs as at bedside and that the image quality of handheld devices can be used as well as computers. Studies on system usability are currently being done with a mixed-methods approach. A historical cohort design will be applied to assess the potential health impact of the system. Patients with burn injuries where the doctor at point of care has used the app to receive diagnostic support from a burns expert will be considered as exposed and patients with burn injuries where the app has not been used will be considered as non-exposed. Conclusions: Smartphone-based consultation systems have the potential to strengthen the assessment of burn injury in many settings. However, ethically and methodologically sound evaluations are needed to find the best systems and solutions. This article identifies challenges and suggests potential assessments in relation to the implementation of such a system.

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“…Although our protocol allowed an outpatient visit by patients in the TM group at any time, diabetologists did not feel confident enough with the TM system to include more patients. This problem of image quality and the limits to the use of pictures sent by TM was recently stressed in literature (4,5).…”

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confidence: 99%

Comment on Rasmussen et al. A Randomized Controlled Trial Comparing Telemedical and Standard Outpatient Monitoring of Diabetic Foot Ulcers. Diabetes Care 2015;38:1723–1729

et al. 2015

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Can We Trust the Use of Smartphone Cameras in Clinical Practice? Laypeople Assessment of Their Image Quality

Abstract: Whereas one smartphone camera ranked best more often, all three smartphones obtained results at least as good as those of the digital camera. Smartphone cameras can be a substitute for digital cameras for the purposes of medical teleconsulation.

Cited by 39 publications

References 27 publications

Image-based teleconsultation using smartphones or tablets: qualitative assessment of medical experts

Image-based teleconsultation using smartphones or tablets: qualitative assessment of medical experts

A smartphone-based consultation system for acute burns – methodological challenges related to follow-up of the system

Comment on Rasmussen et al. A Randomized Controlled Trial Comparing Telemedical and Standard Outpatient Monitoring of Diabetic Foot Ulcers. Diabetes Care 2015;38:1723–1729

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