The epistemology of otolaryngology-head and neck surgery: a scientific evaluation of the knowledge base.
There are nearly a quarter of a million ENT publications listed in MEDLINE alone and the knowledge within our field continues to accumulate at an increasing rate. Many factors influence publication and the production and dissemination of new knowledge. But the direction of research effort does not always reflect clinical need. A variety of external factors are implicated including-but certainly not limited to-funding, corporate interest and market forces, the political climate, tenacity and resourcefulness of special interest groups, and even fashion. Little detailed information on the current state of knowledge within otolaryngology has been available.
Sharp
Steve
S
Specialist Library for ENT and Audiology, UK National Library for Health, Department of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, John Radcliffe Hospital, Oxford, UK. ssharp@speclib-ent.org
Harvey
Richard J
RJ
Burton
Martin J
MJ
D014943:Global Health; D007722:Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice; D006801:Humans; D015994:Incidence; D016239:MEDLINE; D010036:Otolaryngology / Q000592:standards*; D010038:Otorhinolaryngologic Diseases / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000601:surgery; D013517:Otorhinolaryngologic Surgical Procedures / Q000592:standards*; D010506:Periodicals as Topic; D015995:Prevalence