I've got to admit, I've been wondering about how good my ability to diagnose shoulder problems is when using virtual visits. I am able to get most patients to point to where it hurts and to show me their range of motion. I have found workarounds for most strength and sensation tests. However, it wasn't till recently that I came across this article about how a virtual exam compares to a real (in person) exam.
The researchers took 62 patients and had one doctor do a virtual exam and another doctor do an in person examination. The order of the exams was randomized. 50 of the tests were able to be compared against the gold-standard test, which was an MRI.
Interestingly, they found about 70% accuracy of the tests in either the in-person or the virtual groups. There was no significant difference in the accuracy between the two groups. Thus, they determined that virtual visits are not inferior to in-person visits.
Comment: We use virtual visits when patients prefer to use it. It is nice to know that this data supports our continued use of telehealth. It has been invaluable in creating convenience for some patients who have recently had surgery and don't need to come in for their first postop visit.
