Debashis Acharya
Primary Healthcare Corporation, QatarTitle: Geriatric Otolaryngology
Abstract
This
is an emerging subspecialty of geriatric medicine which focuses on the unique
needs of elderly person. In 1909, the term geriatrics was proposed by Dr.
Ignatz Leo Nascher from New York who is known as the “Father” of geriatrics. In
2007, the American Geriatric Society (AGS) established eight domains-Cognitive
& behavioural disorders; Medication management; Self-care capacity; Falls,
balance & gait disorders; Atypical presentation of disease; Palliative
care; Hospital care for elders, Healthcare planning and promotion. The elderly
are physiologically different from younger adults, with an expected, but
variable decline of almost all organ systems.
In
2010, The American Society of Geriatric Otolaryngology (ASGO) under the
leadership of its first president, Jerome C. Goldstein mentioned that 15%
outpatient otolaryngology visits were from patients over the age of 65 years.
Most common diagnoses in patients of this age group are hearing loss, certain
ear disorders mainly tinnitus, non-suppurative otitis media / eustachian tube
disorders, vertiginous syndromes, and vestibular disorders. Other common
disorders include dysphonia and dysphagia in the elderly. Presbystasis
(progressive loss of balance function accompanying the normal aging process),
polypharmacy and falls also are frequently encountered. Thus, geriatric otolaryngology
is a tool to enhance the quality of life of older people by maximizing their
functional and social activities in their later years.
Biography
Debashis Acharya is passionate about Otorhinolaryngology (E.N.T.), being more than
29 years in the field including his training period from the prestigious Army
Hospital (Research & Referral) affiliated to the University of Delhi,
India. He is an ex- Indian Army Medical Corps officer (Lieutenant Colonel)
served as E.N.T. Specialist in the Armed Forces for approx. 12 years until 2008
when he left the services. He has worked as Medical Superintendent at a private
Medical College Hospital in Western India after that for almost one year. He
also holds First class Masters’ degree in Hospital Administration &
Healthcare Management from the International Symbiosis University, Pune, India.
Subsequently, he held the appointment of H.O.D. & Associate Professor at
Ahmedabad, India for around two years before moving to Qatar in 2011.
Presently, he working as Consultant E.N.T. at P.H.C.C. (Primary Health Care
Corporation), Govt. of Qatar since 2014. His academic articles have been
published in various foreign E.N.T. journals and he is also Honorary Editor of
many such publications. He has been associated with Organizing Committees and has been Chairman
of various international E.N.T. conferences across the Gulf region, India,
U.K., Singapore, France, Spain & Italy to mention a few. He is an avid
COVID worker & has been honored by the Govt. Of Qatar & Anbar Medical
University, Iraq. His research article on COVID has been published by a high
indexed journal, appreciated internationally, received multiple citations &
has been sent with recommendation to WHO for further academic research on
COVID. He has also authored five chapters in different Post Graduate Family
Medicines books published internationally. His research Interest mainly focused
on Audio Vestibular Medicine & Rhinology.