Legacy of Excellence Digital Flipbook

The Next 125 Years in Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery

Predictions: Technology will transform healthcare like every other industry where it was properly applied. Quality will remain an important measure in any future success model, which will also be used to determine payment. There will be continued transition away from FFS payment to value-based payment models with hybrid payment in ENT FFS linked to quality and value or APMs built on FFS architecture. Individual physicians or entities they work for will increasingly “go at risk” for reimbursement and, at the physician level, most will likely get less. Reg-ent SM , the AAO-HNSF qualified clinical data registry, is the tool that will help otolaryngologists in every practice setting to measure and report their data and demonstrate their quality care and value. It is increasingly important to develop effective dashboards utilizing predictive analytics to conduct data analysis within one’s practice and to have the ability to leverage that data. Otolaryngology surgeon-scientists will continue to lead research targeted at person-centered individual care and population-based level care using precision medicine, digital technology, and molecular biology to

The AAO-HNS will advocate for and protect members and the patients we care for in negotiating with health policy makers, payers, consultants, regulators, the public, pharma, medical device companies, hospital systems, and the myriad other entities vying for dominance, control, and relevance in the rapidly changing healthcare arena. The U.S. Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services and Congress will likely continue surgical devaluation with emphasis on primary care and expansion of scope for allied health providers. Meaningfully addressing cost and healthcare reform will continue to be ineffective until there is a willingness to address costs in a systematic fashion along with nonphysician stakeholders in the healthcare arena (big pharma, insurance industry, medical liability reform, etc.). There will be increased pressure to abandon therapeutic regimens that provide little or no benefit to patients based on outcomes research. Pressure will continue from legislators, payers, and policymakers to de-adopt low-value services.

Creating a Network to Enhance Future Engagement Carla V. Valenzuela, MD, MSCI, Chair, Section for Residents and Fellows-in-Training, 2019-2020 HNS/F Boards of Directors strategic planning exercises and have significantly influenced the adoption of new initiatives designed to address their needs. Over the past five years, we have created a network of resident representatives from nearly every

The Section for Residents and Fellows-in-Training (SRF) was founded in 2001 as a way to increase trainee participation in the American Academy of Otolaryngology–Head and Neck

otolaryngology training program in the country. (Check out their names on our SRF website!) This allows us to have a more personal connection to all trainees and keep them abreast of the latest developments and opportunities at the Academy. We also send a survey each year to gauge how residents feel about education materials, fellowships, and anticipated practice settings. Looking toward the future: Our annual survey of the resident and fellow experience is the only one of its kind, and we hope to increase its response rate from 30% to at least 80%. We are always working on increasing awareness of all the leadership, research, and advocacy opportunities the Academy provides and hope to expand our social media presence to better disseminate that information to our constituency. Finally, the Academy has recently begun a medical student initiative, and we look forward to working closely with the Academy’s leadership in serving as a resource to those medical students interested in otolaryngology-head and neck surgery.

Surgery. Since its inception, the SRF has been constantly evolving to meet the needs of its constituents. In 2003, the SRF established a Governing Council to expand its presence throughout the Academy. The SRF also sends delegates to major medical organizations, such as the Society for University Otolaryngologists – Head and Neck Surgeons, American Board of Otolaryngology – Head and Neck Surgery, ENT Political Action Committee, American College of Surgeons, and American Medical Association. Today the SRF even includes an international delegate whose job is to understand the needs of our colleagues outside the United States. The SRF chair is an invited guest and welcomed participant at the AAO-HNS Board of Directors meetings. Additionally, the SRF has been an active participant during each of the last two AAO

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