Virginia Research Day 2021

Medical Student Research Cl inical

03 The Impact of COVID-19 on Otolaryngology Practice Patterns

Lindsay Tjiattas-Saleski, DO, MBA, FACOEP; Travis Smith, OMS IV, Benjamin Gillette, OMS IV, Henry Carnes, OMS IV, Jacob Greenberg, OMS IV Corresponding author: Tsmith01@vcom.edu

Via College of Osteopathic Medicine-Carolinas Campus Via College of Osteopathic Medicine-Virginia Campus

In the face of a global pandemic health care facilities have to adapt current standards of practice. Although there are general guidelines for dealing with a pandemic, each situation is unique and standardized guidelines have yet to be developed for COVID-19. The asymptomatic transmission of SARS-COV2 makes it particularly difficult to uphold normal clinical practice without propagating the spread of the virus. In addition, due to the respiratory nature of SARS-CoV2 otolaryngologists hold a high-risk practice which requires significant modifications to reduce the risk of transmission to both the non-infected patient and physician. In this study we designed a questionnaire aimed at identifying how otolaryngology practices are adapting to the COVID-19 pandemic and potential issues that may have arisen. In doing so, we have discovered various similarities in the handling of pandemic response, including increased telemedicine usage, changes to staffing and compensation and greatly decreased elective surgeries. Conversely, we found that personal protective equipment was in commonly good supply among those surveyed. We also discuss various benefits and limitations of a questionnaire during an evolving pandemic.

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