Document Detail


Diagnostic otoscopy skills of community ear assistants in Western Nepal.
MedLine Citation:
PMID:  20854708     Owner:  NLM     Status:  In-Process    
Abstract/OtherAbstract:
INTRODUCTION: Deafness is a major problem in developing countries. Rural communities tend to be affected more than urban ones, and chronic otitis media is common. The World Health Organization has proposed primary ear care as a method of providing otological services in developing countries. This study aimed to assess the diagnostic otoscopy skills of community ear assistants in rural Western Nepal.
MATERIALS AND METHODS: Community ear assistants undertook the pre-operative evaluation of 92 patients selected for middle-ear surgery in an 'ear camp' setting. The otoscopy skills of community ear assistants were also assessed by means of an otoscopy quiz. Consultant otologists and trainee otolaryngologists underwent an identical assessment.
RESULTS: The community ear assistants' selection of patients for middle-ear surgery concurred with the consultant otologists' opinion in 87 of 92 patients (94.5 per cent). The level of community ear assistants' otoscopy skills was between that of junior and senior otolaryngology trainees.
CONCLUSIONS: With intensive training, medically unqualified community ear assistants can develop otoscopy skills comparable to those of medically qualified otolaryngology trainees. These results support the development of primary ear care in poorer countries where access to specialist otological services is difficult or impossible.
Authors:
R Youngs; N Weir; P Tharu; R B Bohara; D Bahadur
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Publication Detail:
Type:  Journal Article     Date:  2010-09-21
Journal Detail:
Title:  The Journal of laryngology and otology     Volume:  125     ISSN:  1748-5460     ISO Abbreviation:  J Laryngol Otol     Publication Date:  2011 Jan 
Date Detail:
Created Date:  2011-01-07     Completed Date:  -     Revised Date:  -    
Medline Journal Info:
Nlm Unique ID:  8706896     Medline TA:  J Laryngol Otol     Country:  England    
Other Details:
Languages:  eng     Pagination:  27-9     Citation Subset:  AIM; IM    
Affiliation:
Britain Nepal Otology Service, Guildford, UK. robin.youngs@glos.nhs.uk
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