The otolaryngology, head and neck training appraisal questionnaire: a national general practice perspective
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ORIGINAL ARTICLE
The otolaryngology, head and neck training appraisal questionnaire: a national general practice perspective P. Lennon • J. P. O’Donovan • S. O’Donoghue J. E. Fenton
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Received: 28 September 2012 / Accepted: 4 March 2013 Ó Royal Academy of Medicine in Ireland 2013
Abstract Background Diseases of the Ear, Nose and Throat (ENT) make up a considerable proportion of the everyday workload of general practitioners (GPs). It is recognized that ENT makes up a very small part of the undergraduate curriculum, but some post-graduate training schemes are now offering placements in Otolaryngology. Aim The aim of the study was to examine a perceived knowledge ‘gap’ of GPs in the area of Otolaryngology. Method A postal questionnaire was sent to 1,000 GPs distributed evenly throughout the country. Results There was a 47.3 % response rate; 72 % of GPs felt that they would see at least three or more children with a relevant ENT problem each day. Almost 70 % of GPs had less than a month exposure to ENT in medical school and 84 % of GPs felt that further emphasis was required at the undergraduate level. Twenty-one per cent of GPs surveyed had spent some time in Postgraduate ENT training. Ninety-one per cent of GPs agreed that further emphasis on ENT training was required at the Postgraduate level. Conclusion General Practitioners feel that increased importance should be placed on the study of Otolaryngology at both undergraduate and Postgraduate level.
Background It is acknowledged that a very small proportion of time is spent on Ear, Nose and Throat (ENT) in undergraduate training, as it is regarded as having a low profile in medical education [1]. Despite this, it is estimated that 10–20 % of general practitioner (GP) consultations are ENT-related and in children, this rate rises to around 50 % [2]. ENT referrals constitute the third largest group of patients referred to hospital specialist clinics [2–4]. Currently, in Ireland, there are varying degrees of exposure to ENT in GP post-graduate training schemes in Ireland. Some trainees are exposed to a formal 3-month senior house officer, ENT placement. Anecdotally, it has been suggested that the trainees who had been exposed to formal training were more confident in their ENT skills and diagnosis. This is invaluable in preparing for life as a GP, managing cases and referrals appropriately. It is not just the trainees but also qualified GPs who have voiced their concern about their ENT training [4–6]. There is a very definite discordance between the amount of curriculum time given to otolaryngology in medical schools and the importance of this specialty to post-graduate GP training.
Keywords Otolaryngology General practice Undergraduate Postgraduate Education Aims P. Lennon (&) J. E. Fenton Department of Otolaryngology, Head and Neck Surgery, University Hospital, Limerick, Dooradoyle, Limerick, Ireland e-mail: [email protected] J. P. O’Donovan S. O’Donoghue Member of the Irish College of General Practitioners, Dublin, Ireland
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