As America grows and evolves, its face necessarily changes. Our country rests solidly on the idea that life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness should be available to all. Our collective understanding that access to health care and healthy living are essential to that ideal happiness continues to mature. But while the population becomes more diverse and blended, cultural disparities in health care not only persist, they do not appear to be diminishing. Collectively, African-Americans, Hispanic Americans and Native Americans comprise over one-quarter of our population. Yet, in the year 2000, they made up less than 10 percent of the physician workforce. These numbers dwindle even more when we consider surgical subspecialties.
Update on Diagnosis and Management of Food Allergies
With the rising prevalence of food allergies and their associated potentially fatal consequences, understanding the pathophysiology of food allergies along with their diagnosis and treatment remains a critical part of otolaryngologic practice.
When Leaders Ail: Health Problems of Past Presidents and What They Tell Us
As this article is being written, the presidential campaign is in the final heat, and all eyes are turning toward the finish line.
New Medicare Audiology Billing Takes Effect
As of October 1, all audiologists who provide services to Medicare patients must use their own National Provider Identifier (NPI) on claims submitted to the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS).
New Cerumen Guidelines Development Process Reflects AAO-HNS’s Methodical Approach
In September, the American Association of Otolaryngologists-Head and Neck Surgeons (AAO-HNS) published the first clinical practice guidelines on the removal of impacted cerumen (Otolaryngol Head Neck Surg 2008;139:S1-S21).
Non-Acidic Reflux Explains Lack of Response to H2 Blockers and PPIs
Non-acidic reflux is a major cause of laryngeal inflammation, and patients with this disorder present with a constellation of symptoms that differ from classic gastroesophageal reflux (GERD).
Maximizing Results and Minimizing Complications during FESS
Sudden Sensorineural Hearing Loss: Hard to Define, Hard to Treat
Sudden sensorineural hearing loss (SSHL) has stumped otolaryngologists for decades.
Thinking of Adding Hearing Aids to Your Practice? Experts Dispense Advice
An estimated 31 million Americans are affected by some level of hearing loss and, as the population ages, that number will continue to rise.
The State of the Art of Image-Guided Surgery
Image-guided sinus (IGS) and skull base surgery is no longer considered experimental or investigational, and is appropriate for use by otolaryngologic surgeons to help clarify complex anatomy encountered during functional endoscopic sinus and skull base surgery (FESS).