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Utility of a smartphone-enabled otoscope in the instruction of otoscopy and middle ear anatomy

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A Letter to the Editor to this article was published on 07 January 2020

Abstract

Purpose

To present the utility of a smartphone-enabled otoscope as a teaching adjunct in pre-clinical otoscopy training.

Methods

60 pre-clinical medical students were randomized into either a control group using a conventional otoscope or an experimental group using a smartphone-enabled otoscope. Participants in each group were trained to use their assigned device and were given time to practice on a colleague’s ear. Participants then completed a questionnaire indicating their ability to visualize anatomical landmarks of the middle ear as well as their confidence in performing a middle ear examination using their device.

Results

Compared to participants using the conventional otoscope, significantly more students using the smartphone-enabled otoscope identified the umbo (93% versus 63%, P = 0.005), the short process of the malleus (67% versus 33%, P = 0.008), the cone of light (100% versus 70%, P = 0.001), and the pars flaccida (60% versus 33%, P = 0.03). Furthermore, participants who used the smartphone-enabled otoscope reported significantly increased confidence in performing otoscopy compared to those who used a conventional otoscope (4.1 ± 0.7 versus 2.8 ± 0.9, P < 0.001). Finally, participants rated the smartphone-enabled otoscope as an excellent teaching aid for otoscopy training.

Conclusion

The smartphone-enabled otoscope serves as a valuable teaching tool for pre-clinical otoscopy education. After using the device, pre-clinical students were more confident in performing a middle ear examination and in identifying important anatomical landmarks of the middle ear.

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Funding

This study was not funded by any sources/grants.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Chicago Medical School at Rosalind Franklin University of Medicine and Science, 3333 Green Bay Road, North Chicago, IL, 60064, USA

    Amir A. Hakimi, Aaron S. Lalehzarian, Simon P. Lalehzarian & Ariel M. Azhdam

  2. University of California, Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA, USA

    Sharon Nedjat-Haiem

  3. Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY, USA

    Benjamin D. Boodaie

Authors
  1. Amir A. Hakimi
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  2. Aaron S. Lalehzarian
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  3. Simon P. Lalehzarian
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  4. Ariel M. Azhdam
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  5. Sharon Nedjat-Haiem
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  6. Benjamin D. Boodaie
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Contributions

No contributing authors have previously published this manuscript or similar manuscripts or reports in print or electronic format. This manuscript is not under consideration by another publication or electronic medium.

Corresponding author

Correspondence to Amir A. Hakimi.

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Conflict of interest

The authors declare that they have no conflict of interest.

Research involving human participants

This study was granted IRB exemption by the Rosalind Franklin University of Medicine and Science IRB committee specifically reviewed by Dr. Kristin Schneider and Dr. Monica Oblinger. It was determined that since this study involved quality improvement of standard medical care and all data are unidentified, this study does not require IRB oversight.

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Informed consent was obtained from all individual participants included in the study.

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Hakimi, A.A., Lalehzarian, A.S., Lalehzarian, S.P. et al. Utility of a smartphone-enabled otoscope in the instruction of otoscopy and middle ear anatomy. Eur Arch Otorhinolaryngol 276, 2953–2956 (2019). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00405-019-05559-6

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00405-019-05559-6

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