Impact of the SARS-CoV-2 epidemic on private ENT consulting practice during the first month of lockdown in Réunion Island in 2020

Eur Ann Otorhinolaryngol Head Neck Dis. 2020 Sep;137(4):251-256. doi: 10.1016/j.anorl.2020.06.013. Epub 2020 Jun 23.

Abstract

Objective: To analyze the impact of the first month of lockdown related to the 2020 SARS-Cov-2 epidemic on the consulting activity of private ENT physicians in Réunion Island.

Material and methods: A multicenter prospective study analyzed the consulting activity of 12 ENT physicians in full-time private practice. The main endpoints were the number, characteristics and conditions of consultations. Secondary endpoints comprised presenting symptoms, diagnosis, prescriptions, adverse effects, and progression of monthly consulting turnover.

Results: Six hundred and ninety three consultations were performed during the study period (Appendix 1), with 50% emergency consultations. In 57.9% were face-to-face, 28.4% by phone and 13.7% video. In face-to-face consultation, the physician wore gloves in 53.8% of cases and a mask in 92.2%: surgical mask in 71.6% of cases and FFP2 in 28.4%. The three most frequent symptoms (48.5% of cases) were otalgia, hearing impairment, and vertigo. The three most frequent diagnoses (60.6% of cases) were otitis, intra-auricular foreign body (including wax), and pharyngeal infection. The three most frequently prescribed complementary exams (74.3% of cases) were imaging, hearing work-up, and specialist opinion. The three most frequently prescribed treatments (52.7% of cases) were intra-auricular drops, oral antibiotics, and nasal spray. The incidence of adverse effects was 0.001%. None of the physicians or patients seemed to have been infected by Covid-19 during the study period. There was a 47.3-91% (median, 75.6%) drop in monthly consultation turnover.

Conclusion: The present study underscored the availability and adaptability of ENT physicians in the Réunion Island in an epidemic context, although economic impact was detrimental.

Keywords: Covid-19; ENT; France; Réunion Island; SARS-CoV-2.

Publication types

  • Multicenter Study

MeSH terms

  • COVID-19
  • Child
  • Child, Preschool
  • Coronavirus Infections / epidemiology*
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Infant
  • Male
  • Otolaryngology*
  • Otorhinolaryngologic Diseases* / diagnosis
  • Otorhinolaryngologic Diseases* / therapy
  • Pandemics
  • Pneumonia, Viral / epidemiology*
  • Private Practice / statistics & numerical data*
  • Prospective Studies
  • Quarantine / statistics & numerical data*
  • Reunion
  • Time Factors