EXAMINING THE EAR - CLINICAL TEACHING

Although otolaryngology represents up to 20% of the workload of genera l practitioners, the time allocated in the undergraduate medical curri culum to clinical teaching of ENT disorders is disproportionately smal l. Many GPs have indicated a desire for further training in ENT, parti cularly in small groups. This study was carried out on a group of 27 G Ps who wished to revise their diagnostic skills in otoscopy by attendi ng a 2-hour teaching session on basic examination of the ear and the r ecognition and management of common otological conditions. The GPs' sk ill in otoscopy before and after the course was assessed subjectively by means of a self-administered questionnaire and scored objectively b y ENT surgeons. Aspects of otoscopy chosen for assessment were techniq ue of examination of the external ear, choosing correct speculum size, techniques of holding the otoscope and pinna, tympanic membrane descr iption and diagnostic ability. An improvement between the objective pr e- and post-workshop scores was found for assessment of the external e ar, choice of speculum size, description of the tympanic membrane and diagnostic ability. No significant differences in the pre- and post-wo rkshop scores was found for the techniques of holding the otoscope or holding the pinna. The majority of the GPs found the workshop benefici al. Postgraduate teaching of specialist diagnostic skills such as otos copy to GPs is useful. An improvement in such skills should enable the GPs to manage ENT problems more confidently and refer patients approp riately to the ENT outpatients.