KUMJ | VOL. 20 | NO. 3 | ISSUE 79 | JULY-SEPT. 2022
Changes in Clinical Practice amongst Nepalese Otolaryngologists during COVID-19 Pandemic
Tripathi P, Gurung U, Baidya S, Thapa N
Abstract: Background
COVID-19 pandemic changed clinical practices more so for otolaryngologists due to
inevitable risk of exposure.
Objective
To assess the changes in the clinical practice among Nepalese otolaryngologists
during this pandemic.
Method
It was an observational study conducted as an online survey in the first two weeks
of December 2020. A questionnaire pertaining to changes in clinical practice was
mailed to 190 registered otolaryngologists working in various provinces of Nepal.
Data were entered in Microsoft Excel 2007 and analysed in percentages.
Result
Out of the 77 (40.5%) who responded, nearly 50% resumed clinical practice after
a month of national lockdown restarting everyday consultation by 64.9% mostly in
hospital setting (81.8%) after screening patients via fever clinic by 87%. Modifications
in clinical examinations was mostly done for neck (85.7%), oral cavity (44.2%) and nose
(29.8%) examination with least with for ear examination (3.9%) Regular endoscopic
evaluation was avoided by 19.4%. Only around 57% used adequate personal
protective equipment. There was 93.5% reduction in elective operations. Mandatory
COVID test was done by 89.6% mostly with reverse transcriptase polymerase chain
reaction (95.9%) prior to semi-urgent case.
Conclusion
Changes in clinical practice were adapted to mitigate viral transmission. The changes
were evident in the outpatient department where most patients were screened
for fever and modifications made in the clinical examinations. Personal protective
equipments were worn when available. Operative lists were limited to semi-urgent
and urgent cases with covid testing customarily done for semi-urgent cases.
Keyword : Aerosols, COVID-19, Otolaryngologists, Pandemic
