Survey of otolaryngology services in Ukraine and neighbouring Central and Eastern European countries.
J Laryngol Otol
; 131(11): 1002-1009, 2017 Nov.
Article
in En
| MEDLINE
| ID: mdl-29081305
ABSTRACT
OBJECTIVE:
The present humanitarian crisis in Ukraine is putting strains on its healthcare system. This study aimed to assess services and training in otolaryngology, audiology and speech therapy in Ukraine and its geographical neighbours.METHOD:
Survey study of 327 otolaryngologists from 19 countries.RESULTS:
Fifty-six otolaryngologists (17 per cent) from 15 countries responded. Numbers of otolaryngologists varied from 3.6 to 12.3 per 100 000 population (Ukraine = 7.8). Numbers of audiologists varied from 0, in Ukraine, to 2.8 per 100 000, in Slovakia, and numbers of speech therapists varied from 0, in Bulgaria, to 4.0 per 100 000, in Slovenia (Ukraine = 0.1). Ukraine lacks newborn and school hearing screening, good availability of otological drills and microscopes, and a cochlear implant programme.CONCLUSION:
There is wide variation in otolaryngology services in Central and Eastern Europe. All countries surveyed had more otolaryngologists per capita than the UK, but availability of audiology and speech and language therapy is poor. Further research on otolaryngology health outcomes in the region will guide service improvement.Key words
Full text:
1
Collection:
01-internacional
Database:
MEDLINE
Main subject:
Otolaryngology
Type of study:
Qualitative_research
Limits:
Humans
Country/Region as subject:
Europa
Language:
En
Journal:
J Laryngol Otol
Journal subject:
OTORRINOLARINGOLOGIA
Year:
2017
Document type:
Article
Affiliation country:
United kingdom