Allergy Practices in Otorhinolaryngology Residency Programs in Turkey: Quo Vadis?

Objective: The aim of this study was to investigate how allergy practices in the otorhinolaryngology (ORL) residency departments in Turkey have changed over the last 20 years and to examine the current status in ORL residency training.

Methods: A 17-item questionnaire was developed following the study goals by a team experienced in allergy practices. The questionnaire was sent via e-mail to the program directors of all the 95 ORL residency departments in Turkey.

Results: A total of 60 (63.2%) program directors completed the questionnaire. We found that allergy testing and immunotherapy had been performed in 70% and 28.3%, respectively, at any time to date. The most common reason for discontinuing in allergy practices over time was "the changes introduced by the Turkish Social Security Institute as stated in the healthcare implementation communiqué" and "the difficulties in obtaining vaccine supplies from companies". Of all departments, allergy testing, immunotherapy, nasal smear, and nasal provocation tests were performed only by 35%, 8.3%, 28.3%, and 1.7%, respectively.

Conclusion: Allergy practices have been increasingly used, especially in the 2000s, but came to a standstill upon the changes introduced by the Turkish Social Security Institute as stated in the healthcare implementation communiqué. These findings suggest that allergy training, in the recent years, has remained in the background in ORL residency programs in Turkey. To achieve standardization in allergy training in ORL residency programs, professional associations and authorities should develop solutions in cooperation with legislators.