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. 2020 Nov-Dec;41(6):102569.
doi: 10.1016/j.amjoto.2020.102569. Epub 2020 Jun 1.

The novel corona virus and rhinology: Impact on practice patterns and future directions

Michael Setzen  1 , Peter F Svider  2 , Sean Setzen  3 , Gavin Setzen  4 , Jean Anderson Eloy  5 , Andrew P Johnson  6
Affiliations

The novel corona virus and rhinology: Impact on practice patterns and future directions

Michael Setzen et al. Am J Otolaryngol. 2020 Nov-Dec.

Abstract

Objectives: To evaluate the impact of the novel coronavirus pandemic on practice patterns, clinical behavior, personal health, and emotional/psychological concerns of rhinologists.

Methods: A 15-question survey was sent out to the American Rhinologic Society's (ARS) membership to determine the impact of COVID-19 during the crisis. Demographic factors and practice patterns were collected and evaluated.

Results: There were 224 total respondents out of 835 ARS members queried (26.8% response rate). Study queries were sent in April 2020. Notably, 17.8% reported illness in themselves or their staff and 74.4% noted a psychological/emotional impact. A plurality of rhinologists noted their practice volume and in-office procedure volume has become 20.0% and 0.0% of their prior volumes, respectively. In addition, 96.2% were noted to be using telemedicine in our subspecialty.

Conclusion: In addition to severely impacting volume and the perception of future decreases in patients and revenue, the COVID-19 pandemic has had a physical and emotional impact on rhinologists in ways that need to be further studied. These data include significantly novel and objective information. The COVID-19 crisis also reveals the important role of telemedicine in rhinology. Guidelines regarding personal protective equipment for in-office visits, nasal endoscopy, and other in-office and operating room procedures would be particularly helpful as future waves are expected.

Keywords: American Rhinologic Society; COVID-19; Coronavirus; Survey.

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Conflict of interest statement

None.

Figures

Fig. 1
Fig. 1
Telemedicine use (top left panel) during the COVID-19 crisis. Attitudes regarding whether a decrease in patient volume or revenue are expected after the COVID-19 crisis (bottom right panel).
Fig. 2
Fig. 2
Were any COVID-19 infections contracted by rhinologists or their staff (top panel)? Were rhinologists' impacted psychologically or emotionally (bottom panel)?
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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