Improving otoscopy education and diagnostic accuracy: A prospective interventional study

Area of Science:

• Medical Education
• Otolaryngology
• Diagnostic Skills Training

Background:

• Otoscopy examination is crucial for diagnosing ear conditions across multiple medical specialities.
• Existing otoscopy skills vary among healthcare professionals, potentially impacting diagnostic accuracy.
• There is a need for effective, targeted training to improve otoscopy proficiency.

Purpose of the Study:

• To evaluate and enhance the otoscopy examination skills of medical professionals.
• To assess the impact of a focused teaching session on otoscopy diagnostic accuracy.
• To improve the understanding of common ear conditions among doctors in diverse specialities.

Main Methods:

• A pre-intervention survey assessed baseline otoscopy knowledge using 25 diagnostic images.
• Participants completed a 25-minute teaching session including a video demonstration and didactic lecture.
• A post-intervention survey, administered four weeks later, re-evaluated skills to measure improvement.

Main Results:

• Pre-intervention surveys showed an average otoscopy diagnostic score of 53%.
• Post-intervention surveys demonstrated a 13% improvement, with an average score of 66%.
• The training positively impacted doctors from paediatrics, ENT, emergency medicine, and general practice.

Conclusions:

• Many doctors encounter challenges in accurately diagnosing ear conditions via otoscopy.
• A brief, multidisciplinary-informed teaching session significantly improved otoscopy knowledge.
• This educational intervention offers a practical solution for enhancing diagnostic skills in otology.