E-mail-based oral medicine consultation
Younai, F.S.; Messadi, D.V.
Journal of the California Dental Association 28(2): 144-151
2000
ISSN/ISBN: 1043-2256 PMID: 11323840 Document Number: 512159
A pilot study was undertaken to assess whether text-based electronic patient data transmission (e-mail) is a reliable source of information for the diagnostic decision-making process. The main objective was to determine if information contained within a transmitted text could be reliably used as basis for making general recommendations for diagnostic tests and follow-up or referral plans pertaining to a variety of oral mucosal pathologic conditions. The results suggest that face-to-face patient examination is more accurate in establishing a correct diagnosis for oral mucosal pathologies than transmitted descriptive patient data alone.