抄録
ORL is one medical area where remarkable changes have been observed, both in the diseases and treatments concerned. Although ORL had its origins in emergency surgery, the modern otolary-ngologist handles more chronic surgical cases and many neurological cases as well. The major agents of these changes are the active application of microsurgical techniques and electronic technology, in addition to the advent of antibiotics.
In order to estabish the reputation of the practice of ORL as a progressive field which keeps up with modern developments, the following approaches are suggested:
1) Increasing the time devoted to counselling patients; this will require a reduction in the number of patients seen per day.
2) Performing more clinical tests; technical assistants as well as laboratory facilities are needed.
3) Reevaluating minor-surgical and non-surgical manoeuvers; more efficient and less time-consuming methods must be utilized.
4) Broadening indications for surgery; assistants and facilities for both surgery and recovery needed.
5) Gaining more active access to rehabilitation in ORL; interactive as well as cooperative relations with local personnel and facilities should be facilitated.
Modern ORL specialists may concentrate on one or two of the above-mentioned areas. Two other recommendations for the modernization of ORL are the group practice and the open-system hospital. Alternatively, a system of close cooperation between specialists and the center hospital is advocated.
