Schulich School of Medicine and Dentistry, Western University, 1151 Richmond St, London, Ontario, Canada, N6A 5C1.
Schulich School of Medicine and Dentistry, Western University, 1151 Richmond St, London, Ontario, Canada, N6A 5C1; Department of Otolaryngology - Head and Neck Surgery, London Health Sciences Centre, 800 Commissioners Road East, London, Ontario, Canada.
Int J Pediatr Otorhinolaryngol. 2022 Feb;153:111021. doi: 10.1016/j.ijporl.2021.111021. Epub 2022 Jan 1.
The COVID-19 pandemic has shifted medical practice globally. The objective of this study was to examine the changes to the practice of pediatric otolaryngology internationally due to the COVID-19 pandemic and examine potential contributors.
An online survey was designed to assess practice demographics, patterns of COVID-19 related restrictions in communities, and changes to practice and referrals. This was disseminated via an international Covid-19 WhatsApp™ group of pediatric otolaryngologists.
There were 45 respondents of 177 group members (25.4%) from 15 countries. The mean estimated time spent under strictest lockdown measures was 16.2 (±10.7) weeks (range: 1-45 weeks). Operating room time was reduced for 82.9%, with an average reported reduction of 41.5%. Almost all (>75%) of respondents reported reduced referrals for five common conditions: otitis media with effusion (average reported decrease - 56.1%); acute otitis media (average decrease 62.8%); acute mastoiditis (average decrease 66.6%); recurrent pharyngotonsillitis (average decrease 51.0%); and peritonsillar abscess (average decrease 52.1%). COVID-19 cases per million population significantly influenced the acuity of referrals received (p < .05). No conditions were reported as increased in frequency and the acuity of most conditions was reported as unchanged by the majority of respondents.
The measures taken to reduce the spread of COVID-19 have resulted in many changes to pediatric otolaryngology practice and the referral patterns of common conditions. Some of these changes may have enduring sequelae.
COVID-19 大流行已在全球范围内改变了医疗实践。本研究的目的是检查由于 COVID-19 大流行，国际儿科耳鼻喉科实践的变化，并探讨潜在的促成因素。
设计了一项在线调查，以评估实践人口统计学，社区中与 COVID-19 相关的限制模式以及实践和转诊的变化。这是通过一个国际 COVID-19 WhatsApp™儿科耳鼻喉科医生小组传播的。
在 177 名小组成员中，有 45 名（25.4%）来自 15 个国家的受访者。严格封锁措施下的平均估计时间为 16.2（±10.7）周（范围：1-45 周）。82.9%的手术室时间减少，平均报告减少 41.5%。几乎所有（>75%）的受访者报告五种常见疾病的转诊减少：分泌性中耳炎（平均报告减少 56.1%）；急性中耳炎（平均减少 62.8%）；急性乳突炎（平均减少 66.6%）；复发性咽扁桃体炎（平均减少 51.0%）和扁桃体周围脓肿（平均减少 52.1%）。每百万人口的 COVID-19 病例数显著影响了所收到的转诊的紧迫性（p<0.05）。没有一种疾病的发病率增加，大多数疾病的紧迫性被大多数受访者报告为不变。
为减少 COVID-19 传播而采取的措施导致儿科耳鼻喉科实践和常见疾病的转诊模式发生了许多变化。其中一些变化可能会产生持久的后果。
