[The ENT patients' perspective on otorhinolaryngology, head and neck surgery - a Germany-wide survey]

Abstract

Background: Patient orientation in the decision-making process for the best treatment, but patient participation in research projects, are more required.

Methods: In a multi-center prospective cross-sectional study, ENT patients completed a layman-friendly questionnaire with questions on patient orientation, evidence-based medicine, need for research, and health literacy. The survey was performed during an ENT awareness week in June 2021 in 27 ENT practices, 18 ENT clinics and 14 university ENT departments.

Results: 2023 patient responses (46% female; 49% 46-75 years old; 40% in ENT practice) were evaluated. The most commonly reported ENT diseases were sensory disorders (16.8%), or tumors (12.7%), Shared decision-making was the favored process for treatment decisions (43.5%). Sufficient time to talk was cited as the most important element of the relationship (15.8%). Most participants felt well informed about treatment steps (42.4%). For electronic searches, general search engines were primarily used (50.3%). Three-quarters of participants (73.7%) had never participated in a study before. About two-thirds (62.8%) could not imagine doing so in the future. Factors such as gender, age, schooling, or location of the survey were associated with different response behaviors.

Discussion: The desire for patient orientation is also high among ENT patients and frequently implemented by ENT doctors in practice and clinic. Especially, patients with lower education level should be more involved in the planning of studies in order to provide opportunities for participation in accordance with the recommendations of the funding institutions.