ENT training amongst general practitioners: results from a questionnaire

An Integrative Model of ENT Healthcare for the Homeless Population

OBJECTIVE

Our aim was to determine the need for otolaryngology care within the homeless population, identify barriers to access that the homeless population may face, and develop a model system which would address these needs with respect to the barriers.

METHODS

A retrospective chart review of 812 patients seen between 1/25/16-3/21/2020 was performed. Charts were obtained from homeless patients seen at free general clinics held shelters in Chicago, IL (781 charts) and in Champaign, IL (31 charts). Records reporting at least one otolaryngology disease in a patient experiencing homelessness were included in this study. Patients were considered homeless if they resided at the shelter at the time of their appointment. To determine common barriers to care, a simple yes/no questionnaire was administered to residents at west-side Chicago homeless shelters. Questions addressed barriers to health care access that had been mentioned by patients seen at free clinics.

RESULTS

Chart review findings demonstrated that 14.3% (n = 142) of all homeless patients seen at free in-shelter clinics were seen for ENT-related disorders. Survey results revealed that 76.3% (n = 71) of respondents believed that telemedicine services would be useful in shelters. 74.2% (n = 69) stated they were unable to afford prescribed medications. 93.5% (n = 87) stated that better access to transportation would increase their likelihood of seeking care.

CONCLUSIONS

In our attempt to bridge this inequity, we have launched a hybrid in-person/virtual care program to improve access to otolaryngology care for the homeless community.

LEVEL OF EVIDENCE

N/A Laryngoscope, 134:2705-2709, 2024.

The provision of ENT teaching in the undergraduate medical curriculum: a review and recommendations

OBJECTIVE

The existing provision of ENT teaching in the undergraduate curriculum is deemed inadequate by medical students, general practitioners and ENT surgeons alike. This study aims to explore the perceptions of a variety of stakeholders on how undergraduate ENT provision can be optimised.

METHODS

This study involved semi-structured interviews with seven participants (two medical students, two general practitioners, two ENT surgeons and a curriculum developer). Inductive thematic analysis was used to identify key themes that emerged from the interviews.

RESULTS

The four emergent themes were evaluation of current ENT provision, barriers to learning and teaching, alternate means of delivery of ENT education, and professional identity development. A number of barriers to learning and teaching in the clinical environment were identified including student-related, teacher-related and environmental factors.

CONCLUSION

The existing ENT provision should be re-considered to help students achieve a basic level of competence in managing common ENT conditions. This can be achieved by ENT teaching in additional contexts including general practice, e-learning and simulation workshops.