Editorial - Otolaryngology Online Journal (2020) Volume 10, Issue 2

Online knowledge sharing makes even more sense nowadays

Otorhinolaryngology Service of Pedro Hispano Hospital, Matosinhos, Portugal

*Corresponding Author:

Ana Isabel Gonçalves
Otorhinolaryngology Service of Pedro Hispano Hospital
Matosinhos, Portugal
Tel: +351932792516
E-mail: gc.anaisabel@gmail.com

Received: May 12, 2020; Accepted: May 13, 2020; Published: May 20, 2020

It is with great honor that I write these words and address them to all of you, all over the world, in this difficult time that we have been facing. For weeks, the world has been experiencing challenging times, imposed suddenly, without prior warning or preparation. Suddenly, everyday life as we know it haschanged: the way we work has changed, giving rise to a new form of working, teleworking; human relationships have changed and distance became a new way of showing love for others. We are being forced to readapt ourselves, postponing what is possible to postpone and living intensely the urgent: the fight against the virus, through the implementation of preventive measures of contagion, the treatment and comfort of patients in hospitals and the incessant search for the cure carried outby the scientific community around the world.

As otorhinolaryngologists, many of us are at the forefront of the struggle against COVID-19 pandemic. As doctors who are part of a surgical specialty with a constant approach to the airway, whether in the context of consultation or in the operating room, we need to be permanently informed and, more than ever, an agile and constant sharing of knowledge and techniques between colleagues is imperative.

It is in the hardest times that humanity reveals the best of itself, not only by reinforcing the values of solidarity, mutual aid and compassion, but by the intellectual stimulation provided by a situation that requires us to be in a continuous learning and updating process. We are driven by the desire to learn more, so we can give our best contribute to the world, to science, to medicine and, ultimately, but which I consider the most important, to our patients. Thus, although we are going through a difficult phase, we are alsomainly going through a challenging phase, conducive to the evolution of scientific knowledge. Now, more than ever, it makes perfect sense to share medical knowledge online. It is the fastest, easiest and safest way for everyone to keep constantly updated in Otorhinolaryngology, because, despite everything, our daily clinical practice and scientific investigation in this area cannot stop.I am quite sure that at this time, the best ideas, research and scientific advances will emerge.

I am sure that together we will overcome this pandemic, with hard work, courage and determination. Apart from all, I think that, in the future, we will remember this phase with the feeling that we had the opportunity to be doctors and to give our best contributeto the Humanity when it needed the most. Quoting Ernest Hemingway, “Who is that on the trenches by your side? - And does it matter? - More than the war itself”, I wish that all otorhinolaryngology colleagues will be able to overcome this period in the best way possible, without any relevant consequences, and that, in times like these, but not only, we always keep in mind that what moves us is the opportunity to help each other and toevolve on a personal and professional level, every day.