Audiologists as Gatekeepers: A Two-Year Audit Supporting Direct ENT Referral Pathways in Canada

In Canada, access to otolaryngology (ENT) services varies significantly by jurisdiction, and most provinces already permit direct audiologist-to-ENT referral models. However, physician-mediated referral pathways remain mandatory in British Columbia, Ontario, and Saskatchewan, which can delay timely specialist assessment, particularly for patients presenting with urgent auditory or vestibular concerns.