Ann: Voluntary Suspension, page-228

Look, if the patient is not very ill and you are differentiating an asthmatic cough in a known asthmatic (which would benefit from brochodilator therapy) from bacterial infection (which would benefit from antibiotics), sure. Perhaps there is an asthmatic with a mild attack (which can be brought on by a viral infection a well as environmental allergans) and doesn't need antiobiotics, then it might be reassuring and it might save admission and monitoring in hospital. That's certainly worthwhile and might reduce inappropriate antibiotic adminstration.

But the acoustic signature must necessarily include the effort of the patient and the type and location of any airway obstruction (be that internal to the airways from sputum or external due to compression or collapse). There are a myriad of causes that could generate the same physical conditions and a similar acoustic signature. Even MRI scans generate pictures with a "differential diagnosis" which needs to be correlated with other information in order to be confident of the diagnosis.

But the concept that its OK to diagnose and treat pneumonia using Resapp and a phoned prescription is a sure way for accusations of negligence followed by mal-practice suit and disciplinary proceedings.