title: A tele-otology course for primary care providers.
abstract: The shortage of otolaryngologists and the high incidence of ear disease in remote areas are major problems in Australia. We have developed a multimedia course for primary care providers that incorporates material about ear anatomy and physiology, ear disease, video-otoscopy and telemedicine software. The computer-based course was followed by a practical one-day course. A multiple-choice test was given to participants before and at the end of the course and a form was used to record feedback. The course was conducted with 30 aboriginal health workers. The participants were able to obtain images of reasonable to good quality after a short period of training. There was an average improvement of about 25% in the test scores, and the feedback regarding the course was extremely positive. The CD-ROM and the Website provide a valuable resource to assist primary care providers in their care of patients with ear disorders.
authors.affiliation: Lions Ear and Hearing Institute, Nedlands, Western Australia, Australia. robeik@cyllene.uwa.edu.au
authors.forename: Robert H
authors.initials: RH
authors.lastname: Eikelboom
authors.forename: Susanna
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Weber
authors.forename: Marcus D
authors.initials: MD
authors.lastname: Atlas
authors.forename: Quan
authors.initials: Q
authors.lastname: Dinh
authors.forename: Mathew N
authors.initials: MN
authors.lastname: Mbao
authors.forename: Mark A
authors.initials: MA
authors.lastname: Gallop
mesh_terms: D001291:Attitude of Health Personnel; D003150:Community Health Workers / Q000193:education*; D020375:Education, Distance / Q000379:methods*; D006801:Humans; D010036:Otolaryngology / Q000193:education*; D011320:Primary Health Care; D019035:Rural Health Services; D014904:Western Australia