Ryan Littman-Quinn

The Reliability of Teledermatology to Triage Inpatient Dermatology Consultations

IMPORTANCE Many hospitals do not have inpatient dermatologic consultative services, and most have reduced availability of services during off-hours. Dermatologists based in outpatient settings can find it challenging to determine the urgency with which they need to evaluate inpatients when consultations are requested. Teledermatology may provide a valuable mechanism for dermatologists to triage inpatient consultations and increase efficiency, thereby expanding access to specialized care for hospitalized patients. OBJECTIVE To evaluate whether a store-and-forward teledermatology system is reliable for the initial triage of inpatient dermatology consultations. DESIGN, SETTING, AND PARTICIPANTS Prospective study of 50 consenting adult patients, hospitalized for any indication, for whom an inpatient dermatology consultation was requested between September 1, 2012, and April 31, 2013, at the Hospital of the University of Pennsylvania, an academic medical center. The participants were evaluated separately by both an in-person dermatologist and 2 independent teledermatologists. MAIN OUTCOMES AND MEASURES The primary study outcomes were the initial triage and decision to biopsy concordance between in-person and teledermatology evaluations. RESULTS Triage decisions were as follows: if the in-person dermatologist recommended the patient be seen the same day, the teledermatologist agreed in 90% of the consultations. If the in-person dermatologist recommended a biopsy, the teledermatologist agreed in 95% of cases on average. When the teledermatologist did not choose the same course of action, there was substantial diagnostic agreement between the teledermatologist and the in-person dermatologist. The Kendall τ rank correlation coefficients for initial triage concordance between the in-person dermatologist and teledermatologists were 0.41 and 0.48. The Cohen κ coefficients for decision to biopsy concordance were 0.35 and 0.61. The teledermatologists were able to triage 60% of consultations to be seen the next day or later. The teledermatologists were able to triage, on average, 10% of patients to be seen as outpatients after discharge. CONCLUSIONS AND RELEVANCE Teledermatology is reliable for the triage of inpatient dermatology consultations and has the potential to improve efficiency.

Scaling up a Mobile Telemedicine Solution in Botswana: Keys to Sustainability.

Effective health care delivery is significantly compromised in an environment where resources, both human and technical, are limited. Botswana’s health care system is one of the many in the African continent with few specialized medical doctors, thereby posing a barrier to patients’ access to health care services. In addition, the traditional landline and non-robust Information Technology (IT) network infrastructure characterized by slow bandwidth still dominates the health care system in Botswana. Upgrading of the landline IT infrastructure to meet today’s health care demands is a tedious, long, and expensive process. Despite these challenges, there still lies hope in health care delivery utilizing wireless telecommunication services. Botswana has recently experienced tremendous growth in the mobile telecommunication industry coupled with an increase in the number of individually owned mobile devices. This growth inspired the Botswana-UPenn Partnership (BUP) to collaborate with local partners to explore using mobile devices as tools to improve access to specialized health care delivery. Pilot studies were conducted across four medical specialties, including radiology, oral medicine, dermatology, and cervical cancer screening. Findings from the studies became vital evidence in support of the first scale-up project of a mobile telemedicine solution in Botswana, also known as “Kgonafalo.” Some technical and social challenges were encountered during the initial studies, such as malfunctioning of mobile devices, accidental damage of devices, and cultural misalignment between IT and healthcare providers. These challenges brought about lessons learnt, including a strong need for unwavering senior management support, establishment of solid local public-private partnerships, and efficient project sustainability plans. Sustainability milestones included the development and signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) between the Botswana government and a private telecommunications partner, the publication and awarding of the government tender to a local IT company, and the development and signing of a Memorandum of Agreement between the Ministry of Health Clinical Services department and the local tender winner. The initial system scale-up is scheduled to occur in 2014 and to ensure the project’s sustainability, the system is aligned with the national eHealth strategy and local ownership of the project remains at the forefront (1).

The accuracy of mobile teleradiology in the evaluation of chest X-rays:

We assessed the diagnostic accuracy of digital photographs of plain film chest X-rays (CXRs) obtained using a mobile phone. The study was a randomized, non-inferiority trial, in which physical plain film CXRs viewed on a light box were compared with digital photographs of plain film CXRs. CXRs were selected from a database of radiology studies to show common pathologies found in Botswana associated with pneumonia, lung carcinoma, tuberculosis, pneumothorax and interstitial disease, as well as normal findings. The pre-selected diagnoses were subsequently verified by a second radiologist. Seven radiologists were randomized to review 75 plain film CXRs on light boxes before viewing 75 digital photographs, or vice versa. Their responses were considered correct if they matched the pre-defined diagnosis. For both modalities, the correct diagnosis was provided in 79% of cases; for plain film CXRs, the correct diagnosis was provided in 82% of cases and for digital photographs the correct diagnosis was provided in 76% of cases. The difference in diagnostic accuracy was −5.7% (95% CI: −10.8% to −0.5%), which confirmed non-inferiority (P < 0.001) for the primary outcome of diagnostic accuracy. A subgroup analysis demonstrated non-inferiority for lung carcinoma and pneumonia images, although non-inferiority was not achieved for pneumothorax, tuberculosis, interstitial disease or normal images. The study demonstrates that digital photographs of CXRs obtained via a mobile phone equipped with a digital camera are non-inferior to plain film CXRs.

Using TV white space spectrum to practise telemedicine: A promising technology to enhance broadband internet connectivity within healthcare facilities in rural regions of developing countries

The following correspondence provides an overview of TV White Space (TVWS) technology, regulations, and potential applications to the health care sector. This report also introduces “Project Kgolagano,” a Botswana-based initiative representing the first endeavour to utilize TVWS internet connection for practising telemedicine. TV “white space” refers to the previously unused, wasted spectrum within TV radiofrequency channels that can now be leveraged to obtain broadband internet access. TVWS represents a less costly, faster, and farther-reaching internet connection that is a promising option for connecting the previously unconnected populations of remote and underserved areas. The Botswana-University of Pennsylvania Partnership, Microsoft, Botswana Innovation Hub, Vista Life Sciences, and Global Broadband Solutions have partnered together to bring TVWS wireless broadband access to healthcare facilities in poorly connected regions of Botswana (Lobatse, Francistown, Maun, Gaborone) in order to improve healthcare delivery and facilitate telemedicine in dermatology, cervical cancer screening, and family medicine (HIV/AIDS, TB, general adult and pediatric medicine).

Evaluation of a Mobile Health Approach to Tuberculosis Contact Tracing in Botswana

Tuberculosis (TB) contact tracing is typically conducted in resource-limited settings with paper forms, but this approach may be limited by inefficiencies in data collection, storage, and retrieval and poor data quality. In Botswana, we developed, piloted, and evaluated a mobile health (mHealth) approach to TB contact tracing that replaced the paper form–based approach for a period of six months. For both approaches, we compared the time required to complete TB contact tracing and the quality of data collected. For the mHealth approach, we also administered the Computer System Usability Questionnaire to 2 health care workers who used the new approach, and we identified and addressed operational considerations for implementation. Compared to the paper form–based approach, the mHealth approach reduced the median time required to complete TB contact tracing and improved data quality. The mHealth approach also had favorable overall rating, system usefulness, information quality, and interface quality scores on the Computer System Usability Questionnaire. Overall, the mHealth approach to TB contact tracing improved on the paper form–based approach used in Botswana. This new approach may similarly benefit TB contact tracing efforts in other resource-limited settings.

Evaluating the potential impact of a mobile telemedicine system on coordination of specialty care for patients with complicated oral lesions in Botswana

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.

Information needs of Botswana health care workers and perceptions of wikipedia

BACKGROUND Since the UN Human Rights Councils recognition on the subject in 2011, the right to access the Internet and information is now considered one of the most basic human rights of global citizens [1,2]. Despite this, an information gap between developed and resource-limited countries remains, and there is scant research on actual information needs of workers themselves. The Republic of Botswana represents a fertile ground to address existing gaps in research, policy, and practice, due to its demonstrated gap in access to information and specialists among rural health care workers (HCWs), burgeoning mHealth capacity, and a timely offer from Orange Telecommunications to access Wikipedia for free on mobile platforms for Botswana subscribers. OBJECTIVES In this study, we sought to identify clinical information needs of HCWs of Botswana and their perception of Wikipedia as a clinical tool. METHODS Twenty-eight facilitated focus groups, consisting of 113 HCWs of various cadres based at district hospitals, clinics, and health posts around Botswana, were employed. Transcription and thematic analysis were performed for those groups. RESULTS Access to the Internet is limited at most facilities. Most HCWs placed high importance upon using Botswana Ministry of Health (MoH) resources for obtaining credible clinical information. However, the clinical applicability of these materials was limited due to discrepancies amongst sources, potentially outdated information, and poor optimization for time-sensitive circumstances. As a result, HCWs faced challenges, such as loss of patient trust and compromises in patient care. Potential solutions posed by HCWs to address these issues included: multifaceted improvements in Internet infrastructure, access to up-to-date information, transfer of knowledge from MoH to HCW, and improving content and applicability of currently available information. Topics of clinical information needs were broad and encompassed: HIV, TB (Tuberculosis), OB/GYN (Obstetrics and Gynecology), and Pediatrics. HCW attitudes towards Wikipedia were variable; some trusted Wikipedia as a reliable point of care information resource whereas others thought that its use should be restricted and monitored by the MoH. CONCLUSIONS There is a demonstrated need for accessible, reliable, and up-to-date information to aid clinical practice in Botswana. Attitudes towards Wikipedia as an open information resource tool are at best, split. Therefore, future studies are necessary to determine the accuracy, currency, and relevancy of Wikipedia articles on the health topics identified by health care workers as areas of information need. More broadly speaking, future efforts should be dedicated to configure a quality-controlled, readily accessible mobile platform based clinical information application tool fitting for Botswana.

Implementation of a tablet project at an African medical school: Process and critical success factors

As biomedical knowledge continues to explode, medical students and doctors need to assimilate a lot of information for learning and clinical practice. The use of mobile devices provides an opportunity to improve access to information, enhance communication and collaboration and deliver self-paced learning opportunities. However, implementation of mobile device projects can pose significant challenges for institutions in low-to-middle income countries due to scarce financial resources, inadequate infrastructure, and limited technical expertise. Through reflection on our implementation process and by drawing from the literature, we propose a potential three-stage implementation process for adopting mobile devices in low-to-middle income countries. We argue for meticulous planning but flexible implementation that is true to and cognizant of the context.