Fiberoptic rhinolaryngoscopy in primary care. A new direction for expanding in-office diagnostics.

Modern flexible fiberoptic ear, nose, and throat (ENT) endoscopes have made office rhinolaryngoscopy an easily learned and practical option for most primary care physicians. Adoption of this procedure not only increases the comprehensiveness and quality of care but is economically justifiable in the current reimbursement environment and reinforces the primary care physician's function as a cost-effective manager of the patient's health. Rhinolaryngoscopic examination using a flexible fiberoptic ENT endoscope is simple to learn, and the diagnostic yield is far superior to that obtained with traditional rigid right-angle telescopic laryngoscopes. Rhinolaryngoscopy is an ideal area in which primary care physicians can extend their clinical expertise with maximum benefit to both their patients and themselves.