Portable Technology Platforms for Global Outreach (AMW)
2021 AAO-HNSF Annual Meeting & OTO Experience
Millions of people across the world suffer from disabling head and neck disease and hearing loss. In remote or very low resource settings, there may be little access to traditional bulky, fixed diagnostic equipment or clinicians to perform and interpret studies. In recent years, there has been tremendous development of smaller and smaller devices which can fit in the palm of one's hand and produce equivalent diagnostic information as an older piece of equipment that may have taken up most of a room. Further, current portable diagnostic equipment may have real-time connectivity to allow collaboration between specialists and locations. This session will focus on using currently available and developing technology to bring diagnostic abilities into global health settings. Two of the panelists bring their skills and knowledge to hearing impaired patients in remote and low resource settings and will discuss the need for simple, accessible, and accurate hearing testing. This technology has wide applicability outside the global health arena, serving as adjunct technology for satellite clinics or rural areas. The third panelist will describe the striking lack of diagnostic imaging equipment and radiologists in some parts of the world. Portable, handheld ultrasound equipment can serve as the "stethoscope for the fingers” and produce valuable diagnostic information in real time. Like portable hearing assessment devices, portable ultrasound can reveal high quality images, and many devices have connectivity features that allow collaboration and consultation. Endorsed by the Humanitarian Efforts committee, and enriched by the authors' extensive personal experience, this diverse panel of experts will summarize currently available platforms/technology available for effective identification of head and neck disease and hearing loss in low-resourced areas of the world.
Credits
CME:1.0, MOC:1.0
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