Evaluation of Internet-Connected Real-Time Remote Auscultation: An Open-Label Randomized Controlled Pilot Trial

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 (interventi...

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Main Authors: Takahiro Ito, Takanobu Hirosawa, Yukinori Harada, Shintaro Kakimoto, Taro Shimizu
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: MDPI AG 2022-11-01
Series:Journal of Personalized Medicine
Subjects:
Online Access:https://www.mdpi.com/2075-4426/12/12/1950
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author Takahiro Ito
Takanobu Hirosawa
Yukinori Harada
Shintaro Kakimoto
Taro Shimizu
author_facet Takahiro Ito
Takanobu Hirosawa
Yukinori Harada
Shintaro Kakimoto
Taro Shimizu
author_sort Takahiro Ito
collection DOAJ
description 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 (<i>p</i> > 0.99). In cardiac auscultation, the test score in the control group (94%) was superior to that in the intervention group (72%, <i>p</i> < 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.
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spelling doaj.art-7dd6b77585ee4cc3bea9e664d9a961a82023-11-24T16:01:01ZengMDPI AGJournal of Personalized Medicine2075-44262022-11-011212195010.3390/jpm12121950Evaluation of Internet-Connected Real-Time Remote Auscultation: An Open-Label Randomized Controlled Pilot TrialTakahiro Ito0Takanobu Hirosawa1Yukinori Harada2Shintaro Kakimoto3Taro Shimizu4Department of Diagnostic and Generalist Medicine, Dokkyo Medical University Hospital, Tochigi 321-0293, JapanDepartment of Diagnostic and Generalist Medicine, Dokkyo Medical University Hospital, Tochigi 321-0293, JapanDepartment of Diagnostic and Generalist Medicine, Dokkyo Medical University Hospital, Tochigi 321-0293, JapanDepartment of Diagnostic and Generalist Medicine, Dokkyo Medical University Hospital, Tochigi 321-0293, JapanDepartment of Diagnostic and Generalist Medicine, Dokkyo Medical University Hospital, Tochigi 321-0293, JapanThe 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 (<i>p</i> > 0.99). In cardiac auscultation, the test score in the control group (94%) was superior to that in the intervention group (72%, <i>p</i> < 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.https://www.mdpi.com/2075-4426/12/12/1950telehealthphysical examinationelectronic stethoscopesimulatorremote auscultation
spellingShingle Takahiro Ito
Takanobu Hirosawa
Yukinori Harada
Shintaro Kakimoto
Taro Shimizu
Evaluation of Internet-Connected Real-Time Remote Auscultation: An Open-Label Randomized Controlled Pilot Trial
Journal of Personalized Medicine
telehealth
physical examination
electronic stethoscope
simulator
remote auscultation
title Evaluation of Internet-Connected Real-Time Remote Auscultation: An Open-Label Randomized Controlled Pilot Trial
title_full Evaluation of Internet-Connected Real-Time Remote Auscultation: An Open-Label Randomized Controlled Pilot Trial
title_fullStr Evaluation of Internet-Connected Real-Time Remote Auscultation: An Open-Label Randomized Controlled Pilot Trial
title_full_unstemmed Evaluation of Internet-Connected Real-Time Remote Auscultation: An Open-Label Randomized Controlled Pilot Trial
title_short Evaluation of Internet-Connected Real-Time Remote Auscultation: An Open-Label Randomized Controlled Pilot Trial
title_sort evaluation of internet connected real time remote auscultation an open label randomized controlled pilot trial
topic telehealth
physical examination
electronic stethoscope
simulator
remote auscultation
url https://www.mdpi.com/2075-4426/12/12/1950
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