ÖNHsjukvård

ÖNHsjukvård, or Ear, Nose and Throat (ENT) healthcare in Sweden, refers to specialized medical services that diagnose, treat, and manage conditions affecting the ears, nose, throat, and related structures of the head and neck. The term is widely used within the Swedish National Health Care system, where private and public providers offer a range of services from primary to specialized care.

The primary focus of ÖNHsjukvård includes chronic sinusitis, allergic rhinitis, tonsillitis, hearing impairment, balance disorders, sleep apnea, and various head and neck cancers. Services also cover otologic disorders such as otitis media, Ménière’s disease, and hearing loss; rhinologic care like nasal polyps and septal deviation; and laryngologic treatment for voice disorders, laryngopharyngeal reflux, and swallowing difficulties.

Patients typically first present to general practitioners or local health centers. If specialised assessment is required, they are referred to an ÖNH specialist who may employ imaging studies like CT or MRI, audiometry, endoscopy, and, where necessary, surgical interventions. In many Swedish regions, Ekstermed och ÖNH‑kliniker (ambulatory clinics) provide outpatient appointments, whereas hospital-based centers handle more complex cases.

Sweden’s publicly funded health system ensures that all citizens have access to ÖNHsjukvård without direct out-of-pocket costs, except for standard co‑payments in certain regions. Continuing education for ÖNH specialists is encouraged through associations such as Svensk Öron, Näsa & Halsförening. Recent developments include enhanced multidisciplinary teams integrating ENT specialists with speech therapists, audiologists, and oncologists to support comprehensive patient care.