The Empirical Foundations of Teleradiology and Related Applications: A Review of the Evidence

Abstract

Introduction: Radiology was founded on a technological discovery by Wilhelm Roentgen in 1895. Teleradiology also had its roots in technology dating back to 1947 with the successful transmission of radiographic images through telephone lines. Diagnostic radiology has become the eye of medicine in terms of diagnosing and treating injury and disease. This article documents the empirical foundations of teleradiology. Methods: A selective review of the credible literature during the past decade (2005-2015) was conducted, using robust research design and adequate sample size as criteria for inclusion. Findings: The evidence regarding feasibility of teleradiology and related information technology applications has been well documented for several decades. The majority of studies focused on intermediate outcomes, as indicated by comparability between teleradiology and conventional radiology. A consistent trend of concordance between the two modalities was observed in terms of diagnostic accuracy and reliability. Additional benefits include reductions in patient transfer, rehospitalization, and length of stay.

Telehealth in Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation: A Narrative Review

“…Although studies to evaluate the use of telehealth in sports and musculoskeletal clinics are not available, a similar algorithm called teleradiology has been used for multiple decades. Teleradiology has been shown to have similar diagnostic accuracy as imaging studies interpreted by providers within the same health care system [63,64]. Although teleradiology uses a provider‐to‐provider model (remote radiologists read imaging studies and consult with ordering physicians), a similar provider‐to‐patient interaction in the sports medicine setting is equally feasible and may facilitate timely and convenient follow‐up of diagnostic imaging.…”

A Study of Factors Affecting on Patients’ Length of Stay in a Surgical Ward: Toward Optimization by Technology-based Solutions

“…-Tele-pathology [34], tele-radiology [35] and picture archiving and communication system (PACS) for forwarding pathologic and radiologic images to specialists and reception of their viewpoints will help in shortening diagnostic and therapeutic process [35,36]. -Early identification of post-discharge surgical complications, quicker treatment in outpatient centers and reduced rehospitalization and undergoing additional financial expenses.…”

The Empirical Foundations of Telepathology: Evidence of Feasibility and Intermediate Effects

“…Although it is anticipated that most sections will eventually incorporate digital images in their daily practices, most telepathology services have been carried out in just two areas, surgical pathology and cytopathology. 17,[20][21][22][23] As a frame of reference, academic pathology departments are typically organized into two service divisions: (1) anatomic pathology that includes surgical pathology, cytopathology, and autopsy pathology and (2) clinical pathology that includes chemistry, clinical microbiology, hematology, cytogenetics, genomics, and toxicology. 24,25…”

“…In this article, we focus on telepathology. Much like teleradiology, 1 telepathology evolved from advances in technology. Highquality video microscopy (i.e., ''television microscopy'') research initiated in the early 1950s mounted a television camera on a compound light microscope (LM) at the RCA David Sarnoff Laboratory.…”