Estai M, Kruger E, Tennant M
International Research Collaborative - Oral Health and Equity School of Anatomy, Physiology and Human Biology University of Western Australia (M309) 35 Stirling Highway, CRAWLEY WA 6009, Australia.
Br Dent J. 2016 Jan 15;220(1):25-9. doi: 10.1038/sj.bdj.2016.25.
Objective This study aimed to explore Australian dental practitioners' perceptions of the usefulness of teledentistry in improving dental practice and patient outcomes.Methods A descriptive cross-sectional study involving an anonymous electronic survey of a sample of 169 Australian dental practitioners. We designed a 24-item, 5-point Likert-scale questionnaire assessing perceptions of dentists in four domains: usefulness of teledentistry for patients; usefulness of teledentistry for dental practice; capability of teledentistry to improve practice; and perceived concerns about the use of teledentistry.Results Of the 144 respondents (response rate 85%), 135 completed responses that were suitable for analysis. More than 80% of respondents agreed or strongly agreed that teledentistry would improve dental practice through enhancing communication with peers, guidance and referral of new patients. The majority also felt that teledentistry is quite useful in improving patient management, and increasing patient satisfaction. A substantial proportion of respondents expressed uncertainty with technical reliability, privacy, practice expenses, the cost of setting up teledentistry, surgery time and diagnostic accuracy.Conclusion Dental practitioners generally reported optimism and support to the concept of teledentistry and its integration into current dental practices. Addressing how teledentistry can benefit specific practice issues, would encourage more dentists to use telemedicine in routine practice.
目的 本研究旨在探讨澳大利亚牙科从业者对远程牙科在改善牙科实践和患者治疗效果方面有用性的看法。方法 一项描述性横断面研究，对169名澳大利亚牙科从业者进行匿名电子调查。我们设计了一份包含24个项目、5级李克特量表的问卷，评估牙医在四个领域的看法：远程牙科对患者的有用性；远程牙科对牙科实践的有用性；远程牙科改善实践的能力；以及对使用远程牙科的感知担忧。结果 在144名受访者（回复率85%）中，135份完整回复适合进行分析。超过80%的受访者同意或强烈同意远程牙科将通过加强与同行的沟通、新患者的指导和转诊来改善牙科实践。大多数人还认为远程牙科在改善患者管理和提高患者满意度方面非常有用。相当一部分受访者对技术可靠性、隐私、实践费用、建立远程牙科的成本、手术时间和诊断准确性表示不确定。结论 牙科从业者普遍对远程牙科概念及其融入当前牙科实践表示乐观和支持。解决远程牙科如何能使特定实践问题受益，将鼓励更多牙医在常规实践中使用远程医疗。
