Comparative study of automated versus manual measurement of body temperature

Abstract

Background: Evaluation of body temperature is one of the important diagnostic methods and signs of health and disease, both in everyday life and medical care. Study of Automated versus Manual Measurement of Body Temperature: a comparative study. It is one of the frequently performed clinical observations. Materials and Methods: We took 148 apparently healthy medical students in the age group of 18–23 years (n = 90 females, n = 58 males). Their oral and axillary temperatures were recorded using mercury and digital thermometers. Data were collected and analyzed using Student's “t”–test, and P < 0.05 was taken as scientifically significant. Results: In our study, we found that the difference in the temperatures between mercury and digital thermometers is so negligible that it will not cause any problems in the clinical interpretation. Conclusion: Hence, we would like to recommend the use of digital thermometer to that of mercury thermometer because it is very simple, easy, accurate, and convenient to use.

Keywords

• axillary temperature
• digital thermometer
• mercury thermometer
• oral temperature