The Impact of COVID-19 on Otolaryngology Community Practice in Massachusetts

Abstract

Objectives Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) significantly affected many health care specialties, including otolaryngology. In response to governmental policy changes, many hospitals and private practices in Massachusetts canceled or postponed nonurgent office visits and elective surgeries. The objective of this study was to quantify the impact of COVID-19 on the provision and practice trends of otolaryngology services for 10 private practices in Massachusetts. Study Design Retrospective review. Setting Multipractice study for community practices in Massachusetts. Methods Electronic billing records from 10 private otolaryngology practices in Massachusetts were obtained for the first 4 months of 2019 and 2020. Questionnaires from these\u2009otolaryngology practices\u2009were collected to assess financial and staffing impact of COVID-19. Results The local onset of the COVID-19 pandemic\u2009had a significant decrease of 63% of visits in comparison to equivalent weeks in 2019. Virtual visits overtook in-person visits over time. A greater decline in\u2009operating room (OR) procedures than for office procedures was recorded. Ninety percent of practices reduced working hours, and 80%\u2009furloughed personnel. Seventy percent of practices\u2009applied for the Paycheck Protection Program (PPP). Conclusion COVID-19 has had a multifaceted impact on private otolaryngology practices in Massachusetts. A significant decline in provision of otolaryngology services aligned with the Massachusetts government’s public health policy changes. The combination of limited personnel and personal protective equipment, as well as suspension of nonessential office visits and surgeries, led to decrease in total office visits and even higher decrease in OR procedures.