Pediatric otolaryngology trends in patient care volume during covid-19: A survey study

PURPOSE: To assess changes in outpatient clinic, inpatient consult, and operative volumes among pediatric otolaryngologists in response to the COVID-19 pandemic. MATERIALS AND METHODS: An online questionnaire was distributed to 535 active members of the American Society of Pediatric Otolaryngology from April 21, 2020, to May 4, 2020. The questionnaire assessed operative and clinical volumes during a two-week period between April 6, 2020, to April 20, 2020, while restrictions on elective surgery were in place, as compared to an average two-week period before the start of the COVID-19 pandemic. RESULTS: Both outpatient clinic and inpatient consult visit volume decreased significantly during the Covid-19 period. Academic practitioners typically reported seeing fewer outpatient visits than their private practice counterparts. Operative case volume decreased significantly across all procedures and surgeries common to pediatric otolaryngology. One-third of surveyed surgeons reported no operative cases during the assessed period. CONCLUSIONS: Pediatric otolaryngologists reported a severe reduction in operative volume, in-office visits, and inpatient consults during a time period at the peak of the 2020 Covid-19 outbreak. Many respondents saw no patients, nor operated in any capacity. This time period could have lasting effects on practitioner finances and trainee education.