How smell tests experience and education affect ENT specialists’ attitudes towards smell disorders? A survey study

Abstract

The aim of the present study was to assess the effect of smell tests experience and education during residency or in general practice on ENT specialists' attitudes toward smell disorders in concern of their management strategies. Methodology included a voluntary and anonymous self-administered questionnaire survey conducted in Turkey and responses from 218 questionnaires were pooled and evaluated. Results stated that only 7.3% of the respondents reported currently using smell tests in their practice, and most of those had observed a smell test during their residency (p < 0.05) and received education on the olfactory disorders (p < 0.01). Furthermore, these doctors were more likely to manage patients with no assistance from other doctors or institutions (p < 0.01). Moreover, the doctors with more knowledge of smell disorders rated the symptom of smell loss as more important. We concluded that doctors who had training in smell disorders were confident in diagnosing and treating patients with smell disorders and were more likely to perform smell tests and assume all responsibility for diagnostic and treatment procedures. These results demonstrate the importance of both the residency and continuing medical education in training doctors who are confident to treat smell disorders.

Olfaction disorders: retrospective study✩✩Please cite this article as: Gregorio LL, Caparroz F, Nunes LM, Neves LR, Macoto EK. Olfaction disorders: retrospective study. Braz J Otorhinolaryngol. 2014;80:11-7.

“…Nevertheless, few otolaryngologists have enough knowledge on olfaction disorders. 8 A recent study in Turkey indicated that 83.5% of otolaryngologists did not observe the implementation of standardized olfaction assessment tests during the residency period. 8 The lack of knowledge and training of physicians in their daily practice can lead to misdiagnosis and mismanagement of olfaction disorders.…”

“…In addition, physicians with greater knowledge about these disorders tend to consider the disease to be more important, and therefore achieve better diagnosis and treatment. 8 …”

Combined Medical and Surgical Therapy Improves Olfaction in Patients with Nasal Polyposis

“…Cultural discrepancies and the subjective nature of smell function make it difficult to validate a smell test for worldwide application [10]. This may explain the low interest of physicians in the smell function of patients with nasal polyps [11]. Smell function protects from dangerous substances like spoiled food and plays an important role in taste function, emotional status and quality of life [12].…”

The Adaptive Olfactory Measure of Threshold (ArOMa-T): A rapid test of olfactory function

“…Olfactory dysfunction can also be an early biomarker of neurodegenerative diseases, including Alzheimer’s disease and Parkinson’s disease, where olfactory deficits precede detectable memory loss (6). Despite the impact of olfactory disorders on patients and their known associations with other serious health conditions, olfactory function is infrequently tested in routine clinical practice (7).…”

“…Despite the impact of olfactory disorders on patients and their known associations with other serious health conditions, olfactory function is infrequently tested in routine clinical practice (7).…”