Evaluation of Cellphone Based Otoscopy in Pediatric Patients

Abstract

Concerns about middle and external ear infections and discomfort are frequent chief complaints that bring children to pediatric providers. On top of this, there are numerous non-ear complaints (e.g. head trauma) that warrant a complete evaluation of the middle and external ear structures. At present, the middle and external ear is examined with standard direct otoscopy, commonly using a handheld otoscope. Otoscopy is defined as the visualization of the external and middle ear structures, including the tympanic membrane, ossicles, middle ear fluid, ear canal, etc. The skill of otoscopy is taught early in the medical trainees' career, most often in the first or second year of medical school. This skill is further honed during the pediatric medical student clerkship and pediatric residency, however there is not an efficient and patient-centered mechanism for direct visualization and teaching of trainees. Because of this, it is nearly impossible for trainees to receive feedback on trainees' visualization and interpretation skills. Based on the investigators' experience, trainee exams are often not repeated by clinical supervisors as the trainees progress in training. When supervisors do repeat ear exams (i.e., trainee is uncertain of findings), it is challenging to determine if the trainee fully appreciates exam findings. Ear exam findings directly inform the clinical decision-making (e.g., prescribing antibiotics for acute otitis media (AOM)) and uncertainty often results in unnecessary prescribing.

Objectives

Aim 1: To establish whether a smartphone otoscope improves diagnostic accuracy of tympanic membrane (TM) pathology for trainees, compared to supervisor.

Aim 2: To determine whether smartphone otoscope improves diagnostic confidence of trainees, thereby reducing frequency of antibiotic prescriptions for AOM.