TY - JOUR T1 - Can x rays be accurately interpreted using a low cost telemedicine system? JF - Journal of Accident & Emergency Medicine JO - Arch Emerg Med SP - 312 LP - 314 DO - 10.1136/emj.15.5.312 VL - 15 IS - 5 AU - S O'Reilly AU - R Spedding AU - C Dearden AU - M Loane Y1 - 1998/09/01 UR - http://emj.bmj.com/content/15/5/312.abstract N2 - OBJECTIVE: To assess whether the quality of x ray films transmitted via a low cost (low resolution) telemedicine link was satisfactory for clinical diagnosis. METHODS: A retrospective study of a set of consecutive accident and emergency (A&E) radiographs. An A&E registrar viewed these directly on a standard x ray viewing box and via a telemedicine link. RESULTS: There were 81 abnormalities out of 234 x ray films. Three abnormalities were missed both on the x ray viewing box and telemedicine link, one of which was significant. There were five additional abnormalities missed on the telemedicine link but detected on the x ray viewing box, of which two were significant. One normal x ray film was interpreted as abnormal on the telemedicine link. There were no false positives on direct viewing. CONCLUSION: Transference of plain radiographs using a low cost/low resolution telemedicine link by A&E doctors is adequate for clinical interpretation. ER -