TY - JOUR
T1 - Second opinions
T2 - Do otolaryngologist demographics matter?
AU - Gawel, Erin M.
AU - DiNardo, Lauren A.
AU - Corbin, Alexandra F.
AU - Friedel, Jonathan E.
AU - Carr, Michele M.
N1 - Publisher Copyright:
© 2024 Elsevier Inc.
PY - 2024/7/1
Y1 - 2024/7/1
N2 - Objective: Pediatric patients and their caregivers may receive information from their primary care physician (PCP) that does not match current American Academy of Otolaryngology (AAO) guidelines. The purpose of this study is to evaluate the frequency of parents deciding to seek a second opinion based on the demographics of pediatric otolaryngologists who deliver guideline supported advice, contrary to advice from their child's PCP. Methods: A survey was distributed to parents in a pediatric otolaryngology clinic between June 2021 and July 2023. Demographics included parent age category, gender, race, and age of youngest child. The survey included a scenario depicting recurrent otitis media with clear ears and a suggestion to defer tympanostomy tube insertion per AAO guidelines after their child's PCP recommended tubes. Thirteen variations of otolaryngologist photos were used in the case, including a control case with no picture. Results: Of the 658 participants, 460 (69.9 %) were female. 551 (83.7 %) were aged 30–49 years, 70 (10.7 %) were younger, and 37 (5.6 %) were older. 545 (82.8 %) were White, 30 (4.6 %) were Black, 20 (3.0 %) were Asian, and 31 (4.7 %) were Hispanic. 39.9 % of parents would seek a second opinion if an otolaryngologist recommended watchful waiting following evaluation of their child's otitis media. Participants given the control case were 2.23 times more likely to listen to the otolaryngologist's advice (p = .025). If a picture was provided, respondents were more likely to follow advice given if the pictured otolaryngologist was female (p = .025, OR = 1.47) or Asian (p = .042, OR = 1.53). Conclusion: In this group, there is evidence that physician race and gender may influence decision making when considering action versus monitoring in the context of recurrent otitis media.
AB - Objective: Pediatric patients and their caregivers may receive information from their primary care physician (PCP) that does not match current American Academy of Otolaryngology (AAO) guidelines. The purpose of this study is to evaluate the frequency of parents deciding to seek a second opinion based on the demographics of pediatric otolaryngologists who deliver guideline supported advice, contrary to advice from their child's PCP. Methods: A survey was distributed to parents in a pediatric otolaryngology clinic between June 2021 and July 2023. Demographics included parent age category, gender, race, and age of youngest child. The survey included a scenario depicting recurrent otitis media with clear ears and a suggestion to defer tympanostomy tube insertion per AAO guidelines after their child's PCP recommended tubes. Thirteen variations of otolaryngologist photos were used in the case, including a control case with no picture. Results: Of the 658 participants, 460 (69.9 %) were female. 551 (83.7 %) were aged 30–49 years, 70 (10.7 %) were younger, and 37 (5.6 %) were older. 545 (82.8 %) were White, 30 (4.6 %) were Black, 20 (3.0 %) were Asian, and 31 (4.7 %) were Hispanic. 39.9 % of parents would seek a second opinion if an otolaryngologist recommended watchful waiting following evaluation of their child's otitis media. Participants given the control case were 2.23 times more likely to listen to the otolaryngologist's advice (p = .025). If a picture was provided, respondents were more likely to follow advice given if the pictured otolaryngologist was female (p = .025, OR = 1.47) or Asian (p = .042, OR = 1.53). Conclusion: In this group, there is evidence that physician race and gender may influence decision making when considering action versus monitoring in the context of recurrent otitis media.
KW - Clinical practice guidelines
KW - Pediatric otolaryngology
KW - Physician demographics
KW - Second opinion
UR - http://www.scopus.com/inward/record.url?scp=85191891617&partnerID=8YFLogxK
U2 - 10.1016/j.amjoto.2024.104322
DO - 10.1016/j.amjoto.2024.104322
M3 - Article
AN - SCOPUS:85191891617
SN - 0196-0709
VL - 45
JO - American Journal of Otolaryngology - Head and Neck Medicine and Surgery
JF - American Journal of Otolaryngology - Head and Neck Medicine and Surgery
IS - 4
M1 - 104322
ER -