Ear, Nose and Throat (ENT) disease diagnostic error in low-resource health care: Observations from a hospital-based cross-sectional study.

ABSTRACT: Although the global burden of ear, nose and throat (ENT) diseases is high, data relating to ENT disease epidemiology and diagnostic error in resource-limited settings remain scarce. We conducted a retrospective cross-sectional review of ENT patients' clinical records at a resource-limited tertiary hospital. We determined the diagnostic accuracy and appropriateness of patient referrals for ENT specialist care using descriptive statistics. Cohens kappa coefficient (κ) was calculated to determine the diagnostic agreement between non-ENT clinicians and the ENT specialist, and logistic regression applied to establish the likelihood of patient misdiagnosis by non-ENT clinicians. Of the 1543 patients studied [age 0-87 years, mean age 25(21) years (mean(SD)], non-ENT clinicians misdiagnosed 67.4%

SUBMITTER: Lukama L 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC9910637 | biostudies-literature | 2023

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature