Original scientific paper
https://doi.org/10.20471/acc.2022.61.s4.1
The Impact of COVID-19 Pandemic on Diagnosis and Treatment in Otorhinolaryngology Patients in Croatia
Ana-Marija Vargantolić
orcid.org/0000-0002-4221-5857
; Department of ENT and Head & Neck Surgery, Sestre milosrdnice University Hospital Center, Zagreb, Croatia
Marija Pastorčić Grgić
orcid.org/0000-0002-3405-3675
; Department of ORL and Head and Neck Surgery, University Hospital Center Zagreb
Marko Velimir Grgić
orcid.org/0000-0003-4196-5303
; Department of ENT and Head & Neck Surgery, Sestre milosrdnice University Hospital Center, Zagreb, Croatia
Abstract
COVID-19 pandemic resulted in a decrease in the number of diagnostic and
therapeutic procedures in most ENT departments. We performed a survey among ENT specialists
in Croatia aiming to assess how the pandemic influenced their practice, and consequently the patient
diagnosis and treatment. The majority of the 123 participants who completed the survey stated that
there was a delay in diagnosis and treatment of ENT diseases, which they expected to have negative
effects on patient outcomes. Since the pandemic is still ongoing, there is the need for improvement
at different levels of the healthcare system to minimize the consequences of the pandemic in non-
COVID patients.
Keywords
COVID-19 pandemic; Non-COVID patients; ENT practice; Delayed diagnosis; Delayed treatment
Hrčak ID:
291594
URI
Publication date:
31.10.2022.
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