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   Store-and-Forward Image Concordance Studies

Validation studies are necessary to determine if services provided by telehealth are as good as, or better than, services provided through in-person exams. Due to the high incidence of ear disease in Alaska, there is an interest in determining if digital images of the ear are comparable to in-person examinations for post-surgical follow up of patients receiving ear tubes. In a recent publication, AFHCAN showed high intraprovider diagnostic concordance (79% - 85%) between the in-person examination and the corresponding image reviews. Furthermore, the interprovider diagnostic concordance of image reviews was also high (84% & 89%). The results indicate that telemedicine is a valid tool for post-surgical followup for ear patients. AFHCAN is interested in pursuing other specialties and concordance studies.