Perceptions of oral and maxillofacial surgery amongst Australian medical general practitioners. Issue 3 (May 2018)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Lababidi, Emad; Breik, Omar; Subramaniam, Shiva
• Is Part Of: Journal of oral and maxillofacial surgery, medicine, and pathology. Volume 30:Issue 3(2018)
• Page Start: 229
• Page End: 232
• Publication Date: 2018-05
• Subjects: Perception -- Oral maxillofacial surgery -- General practitioners; Mouth -- Surgery -- Periodicals; Face -- Surgery -- Periodicals; Maxilla -- Surgery -- Periodicals; Oral medicine -- Periodicals; Mouth -- Diseases -- Pathogenesis -- Periodicals; Surgery, Oral -- Periodicals; Oral Medicine -- Periodicals; Pathology, Oral -- Periodicals; Face -- Surgery; Maxilla -- Surgery; Mouth -- Diseases -- Pathogenesis; Mouth -- Surgery; Oral medicine; Electronic journals -- Sciences; Electronic journals -- Medicine; Periodicals; 617.522059
• DOI: 10.1016/j.ajoms.2018.02.003
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 2212-5566

Abstract

Abstract: Objective: This study was undertaken to identify the proportion of referrals to Oral and Maxillofacial surgeons amongst Australian general medical practitioners (GP's) for common head and neck surgical scenarios. Methods: A questionnaire presenting 34 common clinical surgical scenarios involving the head and neck region, as well as a descriptive component identifying reasons/barriers to referral was sent out through newsletter e-publications targeting general practitioners. The main outcome measures were identification of the preferred specialty referral (Ear Nose and Throat, Plastic, Oral & Maxillofacial (OMS) or General surgery) for each of the clinical scenarios provided. Results: 90 GP's participated with eligible responses. The majority of dento-alveolar surgery and facial trauma was referred to OMS. In cases of oral pathology, the referral rate to OMS was mixed (mean ∼57%). Regarding facial cosmetics, the majority of respondents chose Plastic Surgery for referrals (94.4%), and ENT surgery for the management of obstructive sleep apnoea (90%). Conclusions: The responses of this survey indicate an adequate awareness of the core fields in OMS (trauma, dento-alveolar). Less awareness appears to be present of the expanding role of OMS in the areas of pathology and cosmetic and OSA surgery. Medical education may play a role in expanding these perceptions.