Related Experiment Video
Updated: Nov 19, 2025
A Novel Inhalation Mask System to Deliver High Concentrations of Nitric Oxide Gas in Spontaneously Breathing Subjects
Published on: May 4, 2021
The Impact of COVID-19 on Otolaryngology Community Practice in Massachusetts
Timothy Fan1, Alan D Workman2,3, Lauren E Miller2,3
1Texas A&M College of Medicine, Bryan, Texas, USA.
Insights
The COVID-19 pandemic caused a 63% decrease in otolaryngology visits in Massachusetts private practices. Financial and staffing impacts were significant, with reduced hours and furloughs affecting most practices.
Area of Science:
- Otolaryngology
- Health Services Research
- Epidemiology
Background:
- Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) significantly impacted healthcare delivery across specialties.
- Otolaryngology practices faced challenges due to policy changes and the pandemic's rapid spread.
- Massachusetts experienced substantial disruptions in healthcare services following the pandemic's onset.
Purpose of the Study:
- To quantify the impact of COVID-19 on otolaryngology services in Massachusetts.
- To analyze changes in practice trends and provision of care.
- To assess the financial and staffing effects on private otolaryngology practices.
Main Methods:
- Retrospective review of electronic billing records from 10 private otolaryngology practices.
- Data collected for the first four months of 2019 and 2020.
- Questionnaires assessed financial and staffing impacts of COVID-19.
Main Results:
- A 63% decrease in otolaryngology visits compared to 2019.
- Virtual visits increased, eventually surpassing in-person consultations.
- Operating room procedures declined more sharply than office visits.
- 90% of practices reduced working hours, 80% furloughed staff, and 70% applied for the Paycheck Protection Program (PPP).
Conclusions:
- COVID-19 significantly reduced otolaryngology services in Massachusetts private practices.
- Public health policies and resource limitations (PPE, staff) contributed to decreased visits and procedures.
- Practices experienced substantial financial and operational challenges.
Objectives:
Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) significantly affected many health care specialties, including otolaryngology. In response to governmental policy changes, many hospitals and private practices in Massachusetts canceled or postponed nonurgent office visits and elective surgeries. The objective of this study was to quantify the impact of COVID-19 on the provision and practice trends of otolaryngology services for 10 private practices in Massachusetts.
Study Design:
Retrospective review.
Setting:
Multipractice study for community practices in Massachusetts.
Methods:
Electronic billing records from 10 private otolaryngology practices in Massachusetts were obtained for the first 4 months of 2019 and 2020. Questionnaires from these otolaryngology practices were collected to assess financial and staffing impact of COVID-19.
Results:
The local onset of the COVID-19 pandemic had a significant decrease of 63% of visits in comparison to equivalent weeks in 2019. Virtual visits overtook in-person visits over time. A greater decline in operating room (OR) procedures than for office procedures was recorded. Ninety percent of practices reduced working hours, and 80% furloughed personnel. Seventy percent of practices applied for the Paycheck Protection Program (PPP).
Conclusion:
COVID-19 has had a multifaceted impact on private otolaryngology practices in Massachusetts. A significant decline in provision of otolaryngology services aligned with the Massachusetts government's public health policy changes. The combination of limited personnel and personal protective equipment, as well as suspension of nonessential office visits and surgeries, led to decrease in total office visits and even higher decrease in OR procedures.
