Use of tympanometry in general practice in Denmark.

Area of Science:

• Otolaryngology
• General Practice
• Diagnostic Medicine

Background:

• Otitis media diagnosis is challenging and can lead to complications.
• Pneumatic otoscopy, otomicroscopy, and tympanometry aid in middle ear fluid detection.
• Reimbursement for tympanometry in Denmark began in November 2006.

Purpose of the Study:

• To analyze the adoption and utilization of tympanometry in Danish general practice post-reimbursement.
• To assess the frequency and trends in tympanometry use between 2007-2009.
• To investigate the relationship between the number of general practitioners (GPs) in a clinic and tympanometry usage.

Main Methods:

• Analysis of data from The Danish National Health Service across three regions (covering ~50% of the population).
• Inclusion of data from 902 clinics and over 1700 GPs in 2009.
• Longitudinal study examining tympanometry use from 2007 to 2009.

Main Results:

• Tympanometry use increased from 55% of clinics in 2007 to 60% in 2009.
• Median annual use was 28 tympanometries per GP (IQR 13-53).
• Observed a wide variation in usage, from minimal to over 500 examinations per GP annually.

Conclusions:

• While tympanometry adoption shows a modest increase, significant variability in its application exists.
• Challenges in performing accurate tympanometry and interpreting results may contribute to inconsistent use.
• Further investigation is needed to understand and address the wide variation in diagnostic practice.