¿Igualdad de género en otorrinolaringología? / Gender equality in otolaryngology?

RESUMEN Introducción: Cada día son más las mujeres que ingresan a las escuelas de medicina y a los programas de especialización tradicionalmente considerados como de "predominancia masculina" (especialidades quirúrgicas y médico-quirúrgicas). Internacionalmente se han hecho esfuerzos por conocer la realidad de igualdad de género en otorrinolaringología, pero poco se sabe del escenario chileno. Objetivo Evaluar la percepción de igualdad de género en otorrinolaringología en residentes y médicos de la especialidad en Chile. Además evaluar la asociación entre género y aspectos de vida laboral y personal. Material y método Elaboración y distribución de encuesta que recopila información epidemiológica, de formación, de vida personal y laboral, además de preguntas relacionadas con percepción de acoso y/o discriminación de género. Resultados 139 encuestados (55% hombres, 75% ≥40 años, 72% especialistas). Se obtuvo una diferencia estadísticamente significativa en percepción de discriminación negativa de género hacia mujeres tanto durante la residencia como en el lugar de trabajo, mayor reporte de cuestionamiento de habilidades quirúrgicas y de comentarios sexistas en desmedro de mujeres. Sin diferencia estadísticamente significativa en percepción de acoso sexual ni en variación de horas de trabajo luego de ser padre o madre. Conclusión En la población encuestada, la población femenina reportó mayor percepción de discriminación de género. Se deben aumentar los esfuerzos por estudiar la situación de igualdad de género en nuestro medio y generar ambientes amigables para el desarrollo profesional indiferente del género.

ABSTRACT Introduction: Everyday more women enter medicine schools and to traditionally known as "male predominant" specialization programs (surgical and medical-surgical specialties). Internationally, efforts have been made to understand the reality regarding gender equality in otolaryngology, but little is known about the Chilean scene. Aim: To evaluate the perception on gender equality in otolaryngology of residents and physicians of the specialty in Chile. Also, to evaluate the association between gender and aspects of labor and personal life. Material and methods: Elaboration and distribution of a survey that collects epidemiologic, schooling, personal and labor life information, additionally questions related to perception of harassment and/or gender discrimination. Results: 139 people surveyed (55% men, 75% ≤40 years old, 72% specialists). Statistically significant difference was found in the perception of negative discrimination against women during residency and in work places, greater report of questioning of surgical abilities and sexist comments against women. No statistical difference was found in the perception of sexual harassment nor variation of work hours after mother or fatherhood. Conclusion: The female population surveyed reported a greater perception of gender discrimination. Efforts to study gender equality situation should be increased and friendly environments for professional development independent of gender should be generated.

Utilidad de la evaluación por otorrinolaringología en atención primaria de salud: Evaluación piloto / Usefulness of otolaryngology evaluation in primary health care: Pilot evaluation

Introducción: En Atención Primaria de Salud (APS), las consultas por causas otorrinolaringológicas alcanzan hasta el 40%-50%. De éstos, muchos son enviados para evaluación al nivel secundario de salud. Objetivo: Evaluar la utilidad de una atención de otorrinolaringología en APS para tamizar el número de interconsultas al especialista. Explorar estrategias que permitan replicar la experiencia. Material y método: Se consideran las consultas de otorrinolaringología realizadas en dos escenarios diferentes, donde se evaluaron pacientes que se encontraban a la espera de atención formal por el nivel secundario. Resultados: Se evaluaron 201 pacientes. El 60,9% fueron de sexo femenino y el 39,1% masculino. La mediana de tiempo de espera para la derivación fue de 20 meses, con un rango intercuartil de 8-29 meses. El tiempo máximo de espera de interconsulta fue de 6 años (73 meses). Del total de interconsultas, 71,7% fueron dadas de alta con tratamiento según la causa, mientras que sólo en el restante 28,3% de las interconsultas se consideró necesario mantener la interconsulta al nivel secundario. Conclusión: Los resultados de la presente evaluación permiten plantear la utilidad de una evaluación otorrinolaringológica en APS. Esto permitiría reducir el flujo de derivaciones y listas de espera hacia el sector secundario, descongestionar el sistema, priorizar las derivaciones más pertinentes, crear canales de comunicación expeditos entre los niveles de atención, contribuir a la capacitación continua en ambos equipos y niveles.

Introduction: In primary health care, medical appointments for otorhinolaryngological causes reach up to 40%-50%. Of these cases, many are referred for the evaluation of the tertiary level of health. Aim: Assess the usefulness of an otorhinolaryngology evaluation at the primary health care level to screen the number of referrals to specialist. Explore strategies to replicate the experience. Material and method: Attention by otorhinolaryngologist is considered in two different scenarios, where patients who were waiting for formal care by the secondary level were evaluated. Results: 201 patients were evaluated. 60.9% of the patients were females and 39.1% were males. The median waiting time for referral was 20 months, with an interquartile range of 8 - 29 months. The maximum waiting time for consultation was 6 years (73 months). Of the total number of consultations, 71.7% were discharged with treatment according to the cause, while only the remaining 28.3% of the consultations were considered necessary to maintain consultation at the tertiary level. Conclusion: The results of this evaluation allow us to propose the usefulness of an otorhinolaryngological evaluation in primary health care. This would reduce the flow of referrals and waiting lists to the secondary sector, decongest the system, prioritize the most relevant referrals, create expedited channels of communication between levels of care, contribute to continuous training in both teams and levels.

Estudio epidemiológico descriptivo de pacientes presentados al Comité de Oído del Servicio de ORL del Hospital Clínico de la Universidad de Chile entre los años 2004 y 2011 / Descriptive epidemiological study of patients presented at Ear committee of the ORL Department of the Hospital Clínico de la Universidad de Chile between the years 2004 and 2011

Introducción: En el Servicio de Otorrinolaringología del Hospital Clínico de la Universidad de Chile, existe una instancia de revisión semanal de los casos que generan más discusión diagnóstica en patología de oído y del sistema vestibular, que denominamos Comité de Oído. Objetivos: En este trabajo se pretende describir las características epidemiológicas de los pacientes evaluados en este comité. Material y método: Se realizó un estudio de tipo retrospectivo donde se revisaron los registros del libro del Comité de Oído entre los años 2004 y 2011. Resultados: Se obtuvo un total de 1.081 diagnósticos realizados en el Comité de Oído. El promedio de edad de los pacientes fue de 39,9 años, siendo el 57% de sexo femenino. La patología de oído medio fue la más frecuente representando el 71%% del total de las consultas. El diagnóstico individual más frecuente fue la otitis media crónica colesteatomatosa en el 19,3% de los casos. Conclusión: Estos resultados nos permiten conocer las características de los pacientes con patologías de oído y sistema vestibular que generan más controversia en nuestro servicio.

Introduction: At the Otolaryngology Department of the Hospital Clinico de la Universidad de Chile, there is a committee of weekly meeting that reviews cases that generate the most controversy in ear and vestibular system pathology. Aim: This paper aims to describe the epidemiological characteristics of patients evaluated at this committee. Material and method: We performed a retrospective study that reviewed the records of the ear committee between the years 2004 and 2011. Results: A total of 1081 diagnostics were made at the committee. The average age was 39.9 years, and 57% were female patients. Middle ear pathology was the most frequent, accounting for 71%% of all diagnostics. The most frequent individual diagnostic was cholesteatomatous chronic otitis media in 19.3(0)% of cases. Conclusion: These results allow us to know epidemiological characteristics of patients with ear and vestibular system diseases, and those cases that generate the most controversy in our service.

Interconsultas al servicio de otorrinolaringología en el Hospital Clínico Universidad de Chile / Referrals to otolaryngology service in Hospital Clínico Universidad de Chile

The objective of this paper is to analyze the consultations performed by the Ear, Nose and Throat service from Hospital Clínico Universidad de Chile (HCUCH) in other services of the hospital during the year 2006. Using a random sample of 80 consultations we find that theservices most consulted were: internal medicine (37,5 percent), surgery (13,8 percent), and pediatrics (13,5 percent). The leading causes were swallowing disorders (30 percent), prolonged mechanic ventilation(12,5 percent), and hypoacusia (11,3 percent). The average answer time was 1,28 days (with standard deviation of 2.5 days), 41,3 percent were followed with a median of 2 controls by patient (interquartilerange 2-4). Furthermore 35 percent of the sample was intubated. The mean time of intubation versus the accepted recommendation was 15,7 vs 10 days (t-test p< 0,0005). 13,3 percent of tracheostomy where performed by ORL. High answer time, in the case of swalling disorder, is due to lack ofmaterials. Complications of tracheostomy are less frequent and severe.

Residência médica em otorrinolaringologia no Ceará em 2003: oferta de vagas e perfil da concorrência / Otorhinolaryngology Medical Residency in Ceará in 2003: openings and applicants' profiles

OBJETIVO: Avaliar e comparar a oferta de vagas de Residência Médica (RM) em Otorrinolaringologia no Ceará em 2003 e o perfil dos candidatos. FORMA DO ESTUDO: Corte transversal. MATERIAL E MÉTODOS: Os dados sobre os programas de RM foram obtidos por acesso ao endereço eletrônico da Comissão Nacional de Residência Médica (CNRM) e espelha a situação dos programas cadastrados em setembro de 2003. As características dos candidatos foram levantadas das instituições promotoras dos concursos para RM em 2003, complementada por buscas junto aos Conselhos Profissionais. RESULTADOS: Das 14 instituições com RM, apenas duas oferecem programa em Otorrinolaringologia: Hospital Universitário Walter Cantídio (HUWC) e Hospital Geral de Fortaleza (HGF). O total de vagas autorizado pela CNRM em Otorrinolaringologia nos dois programas é 12. Nove (75,00 por cento) do total e 4 de R1 (100,00 por cento) estão preenchidas. A taxa de ocupação por hospital é: HGF (66,67 por cento) e HUWC (83,33 por cento). A concorrência por vaga na RM de Otorrinolaringologia foi 13,0, sendo igualmente 8,0 no HUWC e no HGF. As 52 inscrições somadas dos dois hospitais provinham de 32 médicos, sendo 62,5 por cento homens. As instituições universitárias que mais contribuíram foram as universidades federais do Ceará (62,50 por cento), da Paraíba (15,63 por cento) e de Alagoas (9,38 por cento). Cerca de 41 por cento eram recém-graduados de 2002. CONCLUSÃO: Este trabalho permitiu ajudar a traçar o perfil da Residência Médica em Otorrinolaringologia no Ceará.

AIM: Analyze and compare the openings for medical residency in Otorhinolaryngology in Ceará in 2003 along with the profile of the applicants. STUD DESIGN: cross-sectional. METHODS: Data on medical residency programs in Ceará as of September 2003 were obtained electronically from the web page of the National Commission of Medical Residency (CNRM). The information regarding the applicants was retrieved directly from the institutions offering medical residency programs in Otorhinolaryngology in 2003 and complemented by searches in the databases of the Ceará State Regional Council of Medicine and the Federal Council of Medicine. RESULTS: The total number of openings in Otorhinolaryngology authorized by CNRM is 12. Nine (75 percent) of the total and 4 (100 percent) of First Year Residence are currently filled. The hospital occupancy rate was 66.67 percent for HGF and 83.33 percent for HUWC. Competition per residency was 13.0 at both hospitals. The 48 applications received by the two hospitals were submitted by 37 doctors, 66.67 percent of whom were male. The largest number of candidates came from the medical schools of the Federal Universities of Ceará (62.50 percent), Paraíba (15.63 percent) and Alagoas (9.38 percent). Approximately 41 percent of the candidates had graduated in 2002. CONCLUSION: This study presents a profile of medical residency in Otorhinolaryngology.

Realidad de la derivación a otorrinolaringología desde la atención primaria / Reality of the derivation to otorhinolaryngology from primary attention

La dificultad de acceso a la atención de especialista en el sistema público es un problema serio para sus usuarios. Los criterios utilizados para priorizar la atención, son el diagnóstico y los síntomas enunciados en la interconsulta (IC) por el profesional que deriva. Los objetivos de este trabajo son dar a conocer la realidad del Hospital Dr. Sótero del Río, identificar causas administrativas y médicas de derivación inadecuada, e intentar sentar las bases para dar solución a estos problemas. De un total de 7.750 interconsultas en lista de espera de atención por otorrinolaringología, hasta junio de 2003, se extrajo una muestra de 1.150 interconsultas y se realizó una base de datos con la información aportada. Un subgrupo de 115 pacientes, fueron evaluados por otorrinolaringólogos del servicio. Resultados: El 96 por ciento de las interconsultas estaban incompletas, hubo un 5 por ciento de error en derivación, el 74 por ciento de las IC no tenían fundamento diagnóstico, la coincidencia diagnóstica alcanzó el 25 por ciento. El cuadro clínico descrito en la interconsulta, muchas veces no fue un dato confiable para dar prioridad en la atención de los pacientes. Las soluciones al problema de atención por especialista dependen de un trabajo cooperativo entre docentes universitarios, otorrinolaringólogos, médicos generales y personal administrativo.

Tabagismo, abandono do fumo e os otorrinolaringologistas do estado de São Paulo / Smoking, smoking cessation and otorhinolaryngologists in the state of Sao Paulo, Brazil

Os otorrinolaringologistas estão diretamente envolvidos no diagnóstico e tratamento de doenças provocadas pelo cigarro, incluindo o câncer das vias aéreas superiores. É importante que os especialistas estejam capacitados a tratar o tabagismo e a dependência da nicotina. Também se sabe que há fumantes entre os próprios médicos. OBJETIVO: Pesquisar as opiniões e condutas de otorrinolaringologistas do Estado de São Paulo frente ao tabagismo e à dependência química da nicotina, e avaliar o hábito tabagístico dos especialistas. FORMA DE ESTUDO: Corte transversal. MATERIAL E MÉTODOS: Foram selecionados aleatoriamente 600 otorrinolaringologistas do Estado de São Paulo. A esses especialistas foi enviado, em março de 2005, por correio, um questionário padrão. Foram analisadas as respostas recebidas no período de março a maio de 2005. RESULTADOS: Foram recebidas 209 respostas. Nestas, 97 profissionais (46,4 por cento) avaliaram sua familiaridade com os meios de tratamento da dependência de nicotina como regular e 60 (28,7 por cento) como insatisfatória. Dos participantes do estudo, 144 (68,9 por cento) nunca fumaram, 50 (23,9 por cento) são ex-fumantes, nove (4,3 por cento) são fumantes ocasionais e seis (2,9 por cento) são fumantes. CONCLUSÃO: A prevalência de tabagistas na amostra de 209 otorrinolaringologistas do Estado de São Paulo foi de 7,1 por cento.

Otorhinolaryngologists are directly involved in the diagnosis and management of smoking related diseases, including upper airway malignancy. It is important that the specialists have skills to treat smoking and nicotine dependence. It is also known that there are smokers amongst doctors. AIM: To assess the opinions and practices of the otorhinolaryngologists of the state of Sao Paulo, Brazil, concerning smoking and nicotine dependence, and evaluation of smoking habits of the specialists. STUDY DESIGN: Cross-sectional. MATERIAL AND METHODS: We randomly selected 600 otorhinolaryngologists of Sao Paulo State, Brazil. A survey was mailed to the specialists in March 2005. We gathered data received from March to May 2005. RESULTS: There were 209 respondents. Forty-seven specialists (46.4 percent) rated themselves as moderately familiar with the methods for treatment of nicotine dependence, and 60 (28.7 percent) as unsatisfactorily familiar. One hundred and forty-four respondents (68.9 percent) have never smoked, 50 (23.9 percent) were former-smokers, nine (4.3 percent) were occasional smokers and six (2.9 percent) were regular smokers. CONCLUSION: The prevalence of smoking in the sample of 209 otorhinolaryngologists of Sao Paulo State, Brazil, was 7.1 percent.

Distribuição dos achados otoneurológicos em pacientes com disfunção vestíbulo-coclear

O equilíbrio corporal é fundamental no relacionamento espacial do organismo com o ambiente. Três sistemas são responsáveis pela manutenção do equilíbrio: a visão, o sistema proprioceptivo e o aparelho labiríntico ou vestibular. FORMA DE ESTUDO: retrospectivo clínico. Foi realizado um estudo retrospectivo de 3701 pacientes submetidos a exame clínico e exame cócleo-vestibular com registro vecto-eletronistagmográfico, em clínica particular de Otorrinolaringologia de Jundiaí, Estado de São Paulo, no período de 1979 a 2004. OBJETIVO: com a finalidade de se determinar a distribuição sindrômica dessa população e correlacioná-la com outros dados como sexo, faixa etária, sintomatologia, achados de exame clínico, audiológico, bem como quais são as especialidades médicas que solicitam essa avaliação com maior freqüência. RESULTADO: Na população estudada, foi encontrada uma maior prevalência do sexo feminino, numa proporção de 1,75:1. A faixa etária de indivíduos de 20 a 59 anos respondeu por 79 por cento dos pacientes estudados, incluindo portanto pessoas em idade laborativa, que apresentaram maior prevalência de síndromes periféricas, contudo não houve predominância de sexo feminino ou idade entre as diferentes síndromes. O estudo também demonstrou a presença de sintomas otoneurológicos comuns aos diferentes tipos de síndromes otoneurológicas, por exemplo, sem o predomínio clássico apontado na literatura das tonturas rotatórias predominarem nos casos de acometimento periférico e as não-rotatórias nos centrais. Alterações da acuidade auditiva, presença de zumbidos e sintomas neurovegetativos ocorreram com maior prevalência nos casos periféricos. Os desvios harmônicos às provas segmentares foram mais prevalentes nos pacientes portadores de síndromes periféricas e os desarmônicos, nas centrais, em consonância com a literatura pesquisada. CONCLUSÃO: As conclusões desta análise retrospectiva apontam para as especialidades de Otorrinolaringologia e Neurologia como as que mais freqüentemente solicitam este tipo de avaliação e o diagnóstico de síndrome periférica foi encontrado em 36 por cento dos pacientes, contudo » da população estudada não apresentou qualquer alteração na avaliação clínica e armada.

Evaluation of the utilization management programme at Salmaniya Medical Complex, Bahrain

In 1993, the Ministry of Health in Bahrain implemented a utilization management programme at the largest public hospital in the country, aimed at reducing patients' mean length of stay from 8.3 days in 1993 to 6.0 days in 2000. Time series analysis, using linear trend modelling and the annual disparity reduction rate, were used to estimate performance towards achieving the targets. The study found that the length of stay declined consistently between 1984 and 2000, with a steeper decline in the period 1994-2000, which could be attributed to the utilization management programme. Overall, length of stay was reduced by 20.5% between the two periods, short of the target 27.8% proposed in 1993. Individual clinical departments showed mixed results, with better performance demonstrated by the Departments of Medicine and Surgery

Efficacy of ceftibuten for pediatric patients undergoing adenotonsillectomy

A survey between Otolaryngologist Head and Neck Surgeons in Puerto Rico and a prospective study was done, to evaluate the efficacy of ceftibuten in pediatric patients undergoing adenotonsillectomy. Surgery of the tonsils and adenoids is the most common operation performed in the pediatric age by the Otolaryngologist Head and Neck Surgeons in Puerto Rico. Over 70 are performed in a ambulatory setting and almost all of the patients are given antibiotics after surgery. Ceftibuten was given to 112 pediatrics patients after surgery. Adenotonsillectomy is a painful operation and children do not take medication well after surgery. One of the benefits of this third generation cephalosporin, is that is given once a day. Twenty events were reported taking the medication, but only seven patients had to discontinue its use. Ceftibuten had a tolerance rate of 94. Ceftibuten seems to be a safe antibiotic to use in pediatric patients undergoing adenotonsillectomy and has the convenience of being given once a day

Otolaryngology--Head and Neck Surgery training in Puerto Rico

The Otolaryngology--Head and Neck Surgery training program of the University of Puerto Rico, Medical School, is enjoining a full accreditation by the Residency Review Committee of the Accreditation Council for Graduate Medical Education. Since its foundation 76 Otolaryngologist--Head Neck surgeons have graduated, the first class was in 1962 and the last in June 1998, ten of them moved to the mainland where they practice or teach in renown universities. Our program is five year's durations, and it includes one year of general surgery and four years of progressive education in the specialty. Experience in the surgical sciences will precede the otolaryngology--head and neck surgery education, two residents are accepted each year