Separating the Physician and Patient: A Paradigm Shift for Routine Otolaryngology Examinations in COVID-19-Like Aerosol-Contaminated Environments


Sayin I., Yazici Z. M., Abakay M. A., Gulustan F., Devecioglu I., AKGÜL A.

ENT-EAR NOSE & THROAT JOURNAL, cilt.102, sa.2, 2023 (SCI-Expanded) identifier identifier identifier

  • Yayın Türü: Makale / Tam Makale
  • Cilt numarası: 102 Sayı: 2
  • Basım Tarihi: 2023
  • Doi Numarası: 10.1177/0145561321992509
  • Dergi Adı: ENT-EAR NOSE & THROAT JOURNAL
  • Derginin Tarandığı İndeksler: Science Citation Index Expanded (SCI-EXPANDED), Scopus, Academic Search Premier, CINAHL, EMBASE, MEDLINE, Directory of Open Access Journals
  • Anahtar Kelimeler: physical examination, pandemics, transmission, aerosol, COVID-19, telemedicine, RESPIRATORY VIRUSES
  • İstanbul Üniversitesi Adresli: Hayır

Özet

Objective: To evaluate the attitudes of physicians and patients toward physical examination in physically separated environments using a laryngoscopic examination model. Materials and Methods: Six experienced laryngologists performed laryngoscopic examinations in 30 patients in a closed-chamber examination unit. The physicians and patients were asked to compare all domains with their previous standard laryngoscopic examination experience using a 10-point visual analog scale (0, poor performance; 10, good performance), including effectiveness of communication, difficulty of examination, perception of safety against airborne transmission of COVID-19, applicability of the unit for future examinations, perception of protective environment, and overall comfort. Results: All laryngoscopic examinations were performed successfully. Effectiveness of communication, difficulty of examination, perception of protective environment, and overall comfort did not differ between physicians and patients (P > .05 for all comparisons). However, both physicians and patients found the examination to be difficult. While physicians evaluated the system as safe against airborne transmission of COVID-19, patients were not confident that the system was safe (8.70 +/- 1.93 vs 2.87 +/- 2.37, respectively, P = .001). Physicians also gave a higher score to future applicability of the unit for examinations than patients (8.90 +/- 1.42 vs 7.10 +/- 2.62, respectively, P = .001). Conclusion: Physically separating the physician and patient is a feasible method of physical examination in aerosol-contaminated environments.