Discussion
throat
DISEASE, DISEASES, COMPLICATIONS
This nonrandomized controlled trial yielded satisfactory results for the medical device evaluated when the device was compared with a conventional consultation for the outcomes of measurement concordance and accuracy. The results suggested that the device could be used for reliable otoscopy (otoscope), heart and lung auscultation (digital stethoscope), skin examination (integrated camera), body temperature measurement (integrated thermometer), and throat and oral examination (tongue depressor). Our findings for otoscopy outcomes were consistent with values reported previously for other digital devices that provided high-quality visualizationFor the outcome of device accuracy, the values found in the current study were similar to those obtained by Zenk et alElectronic and digital stethoscopes were designed to improve auscultation by amplifying sound.A study by Dumas et alIt should be noted that this modality of telemedicine is indicated for patients with stable, nonurgent conditions, despite the complexity of the underlying disease. The future use of mobile medical devices may be most beneficial in 2 main settings: allowing access to health care in distant and vulnerable locations and guaranteeing safe hospital discharge with associated home telemonitoring for patients with conditions of different complexity (eg, postoperative patients or patients receiving bone marrow transplants). Furthermore, the use of a mobile medical device may reduce costs by enabling improvements in the allocation of hospital resources, prevention and earlier diagnosis of complications among discharged patients, reduction in exposure to preventable diseases among vulnerable patients, and expansion of access to qualified care in the primary care context.