Why Aren’t There More Population Health Initiatives in Otolaryngology?

by Jennifer L.W. Fink •

Incorporating Population Health into Practice

Otolaryngologists who are interested in adopting a population health approach to their practices would do well to begin with an analysis of their patient charts. “Look at your records. Look at the populations you’ve treated. Does anything stand out?” said Dr. Calhoun.

Interested otolaryngologists can also connect with their local departments of public health. “Have conversations with them about what they’re seeing that may relate to otolaryngology,” Dr. Sykes said. Public health officers are typically well versed in the health concerns and challenges of various populations within the community; they may have already identified an area of need that dovetails with your clinical practice or research interests.

To move the profession forward, otolaryngologists should partner with epidemiologists, nurses, and other healthcare professionals. Academic departments should consider hiring PhD-prepared researchers to help them study prevention strategies and population health challenges.

“Rather than creating a research team composed strictly of surgeons, add professionals with a population health perspective as well,” Dr. Sykes said. “It’s important to have these conversations about what your work means to all populations—not just the people who come through your door, but also those populations who may not have access to your services or the interventions you’ve developed.”

Jennifer Fink is a freelance medical writer based in Wisconsin.

Key Points

  • Population health considers the health outcomes of a group of individuals.
  • Population health research and initiatives are still relatively rare in otolaryngology.
  • Otolaryngologists interested in adopting a population health approach to their practices could begin with an analysis of patient charts.

How Population Health Can Move Otolaryngology Forward

Population health research reveals challenges and opportunities. When clinicians understand the best ways to manage the health concerns of a population, they can efficiently provide targeted healthcare interventions. Some questions that are ripe for population health research and interventions include the following:

  • How can otolaryngologists effectively partner with primary care providers to advocate for HPV vaccination?
  • Which populations develop oropharyngeal cancer despite HPV vaccination?
  • Can otolaryngologists use telemedicine to extend specialty care to rural communities?
  • Can app-based, self-administered hearing screenings be used to assess the hearing of the elderly? Of children?
  • How might climate change affect allergen distribution and allergy treatment in the future?