Utilisation of a smartphone-enabled video otoscope to train novices in otological examination and procedural skills

The ai/m of this study was to compare the self-reported confidence of novices in using a smartphone-enabled video otoscope, a microscope and loupes for ear examination and external ear canal procedures. Medical students (n = 29) undertook a pre-study questionnaire to ascertain their knowledge of tec...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Journal of laryngology and otology 2022-04, Vol.136 (4), p.314-320
Main Authors: Navaratnam, A V, Halai, A, Chandrasekharan, D, Mistry, R, Rogel-Salazar, J, Manjaly, J G, Tatla, T, Singh, A, Ramdoo, K
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Anatomy
Confidence
Coronaviruses
COVID-19
Ear
Ear canal
Foreign bodies
Humans
Main Article
Medical equipment
Medical technology
Otolaryngology
Otology
Otoscopes
Otoscopy - methods
Pathology
Questionnaires
Self Report
Smartphone
Smartphones
Students, Medical
Telemedicine
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Summary:The ai/m of this study was to compare the self-reported confidence of novices in using a smartphone-enabled video otoscope, a microscope and loupes for ear examination and external ear canal procedures. Medical students (n = 29) undertook a pre-study questionnaire to ascertain their knowledge of techniques for otoscopy and aural microsuction. Participants underwent teaching on ear anatomy, examination and procedural techniques using a microscope, loupes and smartphone-enabled video otoscopes. Confidence and preference using each modality was rated using a Likert-like questionnaire. After teaching, all modalities demonstrated a significant increase in confidence in ear examination (p < 0.0001). Confidence in using the smartphone-enabled otoscope post-teaching was highest (p = 0.015). Overall, the smartphone-enabled video otoscope was the preferred method in all other parameters assessed including learning anatomy or pathology (51.72 per cent) and learning microsuction (65.51 per cent). Smartphone-enabled video otoscopes provide an alternative approach to ear examination and aural microsuction that can be undertaken outside of a traditional clinical setting and can be used by novices.
ISSN:0022-2151
1748-5460
DOI:10.1017/S0022215121004102