Crucial Conversations: Examining the Relationship Between Otolaryngology Training and Our Field as a Whole: How Are We Doing?

Monday, October 2, 2023

9:15 AM - 10:35 AM East Coast USA Time

Location: Ballroom C1

Moderator(s)

AM

Al Merati, MD

Professor and Chief
University of Washington
Seattle, WA, United States

Panelist(s)

Sarah N. Bowe, MD, EdM

Director of Pediatric Otolaryngology
Defense Health Agency - San Antonio Market
San Antonio, TX, United States
GB

Gene G. Brown, III, MD

Physician
Charleston ENT & Allergy, LLC
Mount Pleasant, SC, United States
Stacey T. Gray, MD

Associate Professor
Harvard Medical School/Mass Eye and Ear
Boston, MA, United States
Andrew J. Tompkins, MD, MBA

Partner
Ohio ENT & Allergy Physicians
Columbus, OH, United States
Mark E. Whipple, MD, MS

Professor
University of Washington, Department of Otolaryngology-Head & Neck Surgery
Seattle, WA, United States
RA

Ronda E. Alexander, MD

Assistant Professor
Montefiore Medical Center and Albert Einstein College of MEdicine
Norwood, NY, United States

Disclosure(s):

Al Merati, MD: No relevant relationships to disclose.

Sarah N. Bowe, MD, EdM: No relevant relationships to disclose.

Gene G. Brown, MD, III: No relevant relationships to disclose.

Andrew J. Tompkins, MD, MBA: No relevant relationships to disclose.

The 2023 AAOHNS workforce survey highlights many areas of growth and strength but also reveals trends (I haven’t seen it yet but it’s probably true? ) that may impact the career of every otolaryngologist in the US. Otolaryngology continues to be one of the most competitive residencies to obtain. Subspecialization has continued at unprecendented levels with X % of current trainees pursuing post-residency subspecialty fellowships. Academic faculty ranks have grown across the country.

While OTO-HNS residency programs are defined by their commitment to training Otolaryngologists, the academic training programs sit as a gatekeeper to our field.

- Are training programs doing right by our field in general? Why and why not? What responsibility should our programs have to the field in general ?
- What about the research arms race? As OTO-HNS remains competitive, more and more students are taking a year off for research to add their CV. What impact is this having on our field?
- Do the desires and preferences of those of us academic gate impact the field in ways we can describe ? Does this disadvantage some folks ?
- Is there value to clinical exposure to comprehensive otolaryngology practices? Practices out side of a traditional academic model?
- Should we look at alternate pathways for training? Tell me why we should or should not?

There is no perfect forum for this conversation; the AAOHNS annual meeting provides an unmatched gathering of people and ideas. The assembled panel will highlight various areas of this conversation and work to foster discussions of all these questions. Audience participation is expected - everyone has opinions and strong feelings. Lastly I will leave you all with this: what happens if we do absolutely nothing about the current trends?