Priority setting in otolaryngology practices in Zimbabwe.

Abstract

This article describes priority setting in otorhinolaryngology healthcare services in Zimbabwe. It aims to initiate discussion on priority setting among otorhinolaryngologists working in African countries. The WHO reports that most developed countries have formal processes in place for the collection and analysis of information that is used in priority setting in healthcare services. However, many resource-limited nations lack well-defined processes for priority setting. Information surrounding priority setting in otorhinolaryngology in particular is scarce. Priority setting refers to the distribution of limited resources among competing programmes and patient or patient groups in an equitable and just manner. A dearth of information on priority setting in otorhinolaryngology exists. This silence is more pronounced in African settings. Despite the myriad of challenges facing many African countries, formal guidelines for priority setting are rare. Priority setting therefore is often haphazard and unplanned. We therefore recommend agility in bringing together otorhinolaryngology stakeholders in an effort to initiate dialogue and come up with formal processes that will collect information that will lead to provision of guidelines in priority setting.