The accuracy of self-performed ultrasound tele-guidance image acquisition among laypeople

Background: The recent events of COVID-19 has expedited an evolving interest in furthering telemedicine technology to maximize the quality of remote healthcare provided to patients. Studies that assessed the quality of lung and cardiac tele-ultrasound images performed by patients under supervision to be of satisfactory quality for diagnosis and management.2,3 Objectives: We set out to investigate the practical feasibility, performance, and acceptability of tele-ultrasound performed under real-time supervision. Curricular Design: A consensus group of patients over 18 years of age and without any fever, skin rash, pregnancy, and incarceration. This is a single-center prospective trial performed at Jefferson Internal Medicine Associates (JIMA). Participants will have an instruction sheet on how to turn on the device. Through tele-communication participants will be instructed to use the Philips Lumify® ultrasound transducer. The participant will apply the transducer on their antecubital fossa. The image will be saved with no identifier. The quality of all images will be assessed by a certified Ultrasound physician. Applicability: Successful results at the conclusion of this study will demonstrate the feasibility for patients to self-obtain tele-ultrasound images under proper instruction that are both accurate and diagnostically helpful. This imaging technique can possibly empower patients to have a direct role in managing their health and provide clinicians valuable diagnostic information that would have otherwise been obtained at bedside or in the office. A new depth to telemedicine can help establish this arm of medicine as more independent, and thus reducing the need for patients to physically meet with a provider