Abstract
Background The use of artificial intelligence (AI) algorithms for the diagnosis of skin diseases has shown promise in experimental settings but has not yet been tested in real-life conditions. The COVID-19 pandemic led to a worldwide disruption of health systems, increasing the use of telemedicine. There is an opportunity to include AI algorithms in the teledermatology workflow. Objective The aim of this study is to test the performance of and physicians’ preferences regarding an AI algorithm during the evaluation of patients via teledermatology. Methods We performed a prospective study in 340 cases from 281 patients using patient-taken photos during teledermatology encounters. The photos were evaluated by an AI algorithm and the diagnosis was compared with the clinician’s diagnosis. Physicians also reported whether the AI algorithm was useful or not. Results The balanced (in-distribution) top-1 accuracy of the algorithm (47.6%) was comparable to the dermatologists (49.7%) and residents (47.7%) but superior to the general practitioners (39.7%; P=.049). Exposure to the AI algorithm results was considered useful in 11.8% of visits (n=40) and the teledermatologist correctly modified the real-time diagnosis in 0.6% (n=2) of cases. Algorithm performance was associated with patient skin type and image quality. Conclusions AI algorithms appear to be a promising tool in the triage and evaluation of lesions in patient-taken photographs via telemedicine. Conflicts of Interest None declared.
Highlights
The use of artificial intelligence (AI) algorithms for the diagnosis of skin diseases has shown promise in experimental settings but has not yet been tested in real-life conditions
We performed a prospective study in 340 cases from 281 patients using patient-taken photos during teledermatology encounters
The photos were evaluated by an AI algorithm and the diagnosis was compared with the clinician’s diagnosis
Summary
The use of artificial intelligence (AI) algorithms for the diagnosis of skin diseases has shown promise in experimental settings but has not yet been tested in real-life conditions. Melanoma and Skin Cancer Unit, Department of Dermatology, Escuela de Medicina, Pontificia Universidad Catolica de Chile, Santiago, Chile Corresponding Author: Cristian Navarrete-Dechent, MD Melanoma and Skin Cancer Unit, Department of Dermatology Escuela de Medicina Pontificia Universidad Catolica de Chile Lira 40, Región Metropolitana Santiago, 8330077 Chile Phone: 56 2 2354 2000 Email: ctnavarr@gmail.com
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Disclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.