How smell tests experience and education affect ENT specialists' attitudes towards smell disorders? A survey study.

The aim of the present study was to assess the effect of smell tests experience and education during residency or in general practice on ENT specialists' attitudes toward smell disorders in concern of their management strategies. Methodology included a voluntary and anonymous self-administered questionnaire survey conducted in Turkey and responses from 218 questionnaires were pooled and evaluated. Results stated that only 7.3% of the respondents reported currently using smell tests in their practice, and most of those had observed a smell test during their residency (p < 0.05) and received education on the olfactory disorders (p < 0.01). Furthermore, these doctors were more likely to manage patients with no assistance from other doctors or institutions (p < 0.01). Moreover, the doctors with more knowledge of smell disorders rated the symptom of smell loss as more important. We concluded that doctors who had training in smell disorders were confident in diagnosing and treating patients with smell disorders and were more likely to perform smell tests and assume all responsibility for diagnostic and treatment procedures. These results demonstrate the importance of both the residency and continuing medical education in training doctors who are confident to treat smell disorders. © Springer-Verlag 2010