Dr. Rodney Taylor

Strengthening ENT Healthcare and Training in Guyana: A Collaborative Approach

Dr. Rodney Taylor
School of Medicine

Guyana, a country with a population of 780,000, ranks 123rd on the Human Development Index and even lower in access to care for head and neck diseases. With fewer than ten Ear, Nose, and Throat (ENT) physicians nationwide, limited medical training and patient care contribute to significant health disparities. The lack of early detection and preventive care, compounded by low community 
awareness and a shortage of specialized expertise, results in delayed diagnoses, more advanced disease at presentation, and poorer health outcomes. Conditions affecting speech, language development, and head and neck cancer management often go untreated until they reach critical stages. This collaborative project aims to address these gaps by strengthening ENT training, increasing specialist numbers, and enhancing community outreach initiatives to improve awareness, early intervention, and long-term health outcomes in Guyana.

At the invitation of Dr. Sharma, Head of the Otolaryngology Department at the University of Guyana (UG) and Georgetown Public Hospital (GPHC), we aim to expand our current collaboration between UMB and GPHC ENT trainees and physicians. Building on our existing partnership, we will develop and deliver a structured, multi-modality curriculum incorporating educational modules, simulation 
training, knowledge assessments, and hands-on patient care training. Using established training metrics, we will evaluate progress in simulated, clinical, and surgical performance. Additionally, we will provide training and support in allied fields, including ENT Nursing, Speech and Language Pathology, and Public Health related to head and neck diseases.

Through continued collaboration, we will build upon our pilot training program to create a sustainable ENT training model. This project will:

1. Formalize faculty-led mentorship by UMB ENT specialists for GHPC physicians
2. Expand training modules and simulated learning to include ENT sub-specialties
3. Develop and implement a longitudinal assessment tool to track ENT resident progress and program effectiveness
4. Incorporate telehealth consultations to provide ongoing support and expertise
5. Strengthen resident competencies and establish a bi-directional learning opportunity for GPHC and UMB residents
6. Increase the number of Board-certified otolaryngology practitioners in Guyana
7. Support local community health outreach around prevention and early detection of diseases of the head and neck

Together, these efforts will improve ENT care and training in Guyana, fostering a long-term curriculum that enhances GPHC’s ability to secure governmental support to increase the number of ENT physicians in a country where access remains critically low.