Document Type
Article
Publication Title
Epidemiology and Infection
Abstract
We sought to address the prior limitations of symptom checker accuracy by analysing the diagnostic and triage feasibility of online symptom checkers using a consecutive series of real-life emergency department (ED) patient encounters, and addressing a complex patient population - those with hepatitis C or HIV. We aimed to study the diagnostic and triage accuracy of these symptom checkers in relation to an emergency room physician-determined diagnosis. An ED retrospective analysis was performed on 8363 consecutive adult patients. Eligible patients included: 90 HIV, 67 hepatitis C, 11 both HIV and hepatitis C. Five online symptom checkers were utilised for diagnosis (Mayo Clinic, WebMD, Symptomate, Symcat, Isabel), three with triage capabilities. Symptom checker output was compared with ED physician-determined diagnosis data in regards to diagnostic accuracy and differential diagnosis listing, along with triage advice. All symptom checkers, whether for combined HIV and hepatitis C, HIV alone or hepatitis C alone had poor diagnostic accuracy in regards to Top1 (
DOI
10.1017/S0950268819000268
Publication Date
1-2019
Keywords
Emergency room, HIV, hepatitis C, symptom checker, technology
ISSN
1469-4409
Recommended Citation
Berry AC, Cash BD, Wang B, Mulekar MS, Van Haneghan AB, Yuquimpo K, Swaney A, Marshall MC, Green WK. Online Symptom Checker Diagnostic and Triage Accuracy for HIV and Hepatitis C. Epidemiology and Infection. 2019; 147. doi: 10.1017/S0950268819000268.
