korvalääkäri

Korvalääkäri is the Finnish term for a physician who specializes in otorhinolaryngology (ENT). A korvalääkäri diagnoses and treats diseases of the ear, nose, and throat, as well as related structures in the head and neck. The specialty combines medical and surgical care and emphasizes both functional and, when needed, oncologic aspects of care.

Education and training: Becoming a korvalääkäri requires completing medical school followed by a multi-year specialization in otorhinolaryngology. After the residency, physicians typically take a national specialty examination to be recognized as a licensed korvalääkäri.

Scope of practice: Korvalääkärit assess and treat disorders of the ear (hearing loss, infections, balance disorders), nose (nasal obstruction, allergic rhinitis, chronic rhinosinusitis), and throat (sore throat, swallowing disorders, voice problems). They diagnose and manage head and neck tumors and perform a range of procedures such as ear surgery, tonsillectomy, adenoidectomy, sinus surgery, nasal and skull base operations, and, in multidisciplinary teams, cochlear implants or neck surgery. Diagnostic tools include otoscopy, audiometry, tympanometry, nasal endoscopy, laryngoscopy, and imaging (CT/MRI).

Work settings and collaboration: In Finland, korvalääkärit work in public hospitals, specialized clinics, and private practices. They commonly collaborate with audiologists, speech and language therapists, radiologists, oncologists, and other specialists as part of multidisciplinary teams. Patients are typically referred by general practitioners or other clinicians.

Common conditions seen by a korvalääkäri include ear infections and hearing loss, tinnitus and dizziness, chronic sinusitis, nasal obstruction, allergic rhinitis, tonsillitis, sleep-related breathing disorders, hoarseness, and suspected head and neck cancers.